Soccer has long been known as 'the beautiful game'. This multi-disciplinary volume explores soccer, soccer culture, and the representation of soccer in art, film, and literature, using the critical tools of aesthetics, poetics, and rhetoric. Including international contributions from scholars of philosophy, literary and cultural studies, linguistics, art history, and the creative arts, this book begins by investigating the relationship between beauty and soccer and asks what criteria should be used to judge the sport's aesthetic value. Covering topics as diverse as humor, national identity, style, celebrity, and social media, its chapters examine the nature of fandom, the role of language, and the significance of soccer in contemporary popular culture. It also discusses what one might call the 'stylistics' of soccer, analyzing how players, fans, and commentators communicate on and off the pitch, in the press, on social media, and in wider public discourse. The Aesthetics, Poetics, and Rhetoric of Soccer makes for fascinating reading for anybody with an interest in sport, culture, literature, philosophy, linguistics, and society.

Women's soccer has come a long way. The first organized games on record -- which took place three hundred years ago in the Scottish Highlands -- were exhibition matches, where single women played against married women while available men looked on, seeking a potential mate. Today, champions like Mia Hamm, Abby Wambach, Brazil's Marta and China's Sun Wen, have inspired girls around the world to pick up the beautiful game for love of the sport. Inevitably, given the hardships and discrimination they face, women who play soccer professionally are so much more than elite athletes. They are survivors, campaigners, political advocates, feminists, LGBTQ activists, working moms, staunch opponents of racial discrimination and inspirational role models for many. Based on original interviews with over 50 current and former players and coaches, this book celebrates these remarkable women and their achievements against all odds.

When the Sky Was Blue celebrates Coventry City’s nine-season adventure in the Premier League, from founder members to relegation, through a compelling array of brand-new interviews with managers, players and other key figures from the time. While not the most glamorous club to have played in the division, few can match the Sky Blues for madcap tales. This book tells those stories through the memories of those who were there. Hear how Bobby Gould’s decision to hold pre-season in an army barracks led to near-death experiences and career-ending injury. Savour the glitz and glamour of Ron Atkinson’s whirlwind spell at Highfield Road. Relive Gordon Strachan making Robbie Keane Britain’s most expensive teenager. Oh, and there’s also those heart-stopping relegation battles, FA Cup heartbreak and the time Coventry City became ‘The Entertainers’.

Kate O'Reilly loves a stroll down memory lane.Nowadays she's a mother to Declan and Phoebe, has the semi-detached in suburbia and the dependable husband, Seamus - but when faced with a never-ending pile of laundry and new chin hairs sprouting overnight, no wonder she daydreams about the past. A time when the music was better (Girl Power forever!), her social circle was wider, Cool Britannia reigned supreme and only a penalty shootout stood between England reaching the finals of Euro '96. So, when a freak electrical storm takes her back in time to 1996, Kate's elated - this is her chance to discover what might have happened if she'd only done things a little bit differently in the Nineties. But as she relives her youth again, will Kate realise some things really are best left in the past? And will she ever be able to get back to the family she misses so much? Even if none of them know how to load the sodding dishwasher... A laugh-out-loud, relatable read for anyone who wishes they could take a holiday from adulting... fans of Why Mummy Drinks and Jane Fallon will love this! Previously published as A Mother Dimension, this has been extensively edited and rewritten. Readers are loving The Glory Years: 'A quick, easy and fun read that I adored...I couldn't put it down. I loved the characters and it made me laugh.' Reader Review Wow!...It completely exceeded all my expectations... a lot of twists and turns throughout the book which keeps you captivated' Reader Review 'I think pretty much everyone can relate to this book... I laughed out loud several times!' Reader Review 'This book had me turning pages without even realizing. It was so good!' Reader Review 'Kate was such a fun relatable character...Very nostalgic and cute! I remember so much of the blasts from the past which was fun!' Reader Review 'Adorable, heartwarming and inspiring.' Reader Review 'It's such a jovial, humorous and light-hearted book... Overall a fantastic read.' Reader Review Praise for Mink Elliott: 'Nothing short of a delight... I would recommend this book if you are looking for a lighthearted and feel good read' Reader Review 'So fun to read. It reminded me of Bridget Jones' Diary (for 50 year olds!)...Highly recommend!' Reader Review 'This book had me laughing because it is so relatable and down to earth...Within the first few pages, I found myself chuckling...Highly recommend this read.' Reader Review 'Lighthearted and full of comedy...the story was relatable and enjoyable.' Reader Review 'A really easy, feel good read which is particularly relatable for those of us of a certain age!!!' Reader Review 'A brilliant, enjoyable and entertaining book that made me smile and laugh... I loved the humour and the likeable cast of characters. Highly recommended.' Reader Review 'This book was hilarious...a great way to escape for a few hours.' Reader Review

'In many ways Jimmy Hill was football. He was a true great of the game.' - Greg Dyke, Chairman of the Football Association Jimmy Hill died on 19th December 2015 but very much remains a household name. Renowned for his outspoken views, recognised the world over by his famous profile, only he saw football from every side: as player, coach, manager, chairman, television executive and broadcaster. A versatile player with Brentford and Fulham in the fifties, he was a qualified coach by the age of 24. In the sixties his innovative management technique took Coventry from the bottom of the Third to the First Division, where they stayed for 32 years. For over twenty years, at different times, he was a director and chairman of Coventry, Charlton and Fulham. As chairman of the Professional Footballers' Association he took on the authorities and successfully fought for freedom of contract and the abolition of the maximum wage. But it is as a TV presenter that Jimmy became best known. After five years as Head of Sport at LWT, he moved to the BBC to become a national institution in the seventies and eighties on Match of the Day. Tragically Jimmy Hill succumbed to Alzheimer's Disease in his last few years, A moving epilogue has been included which reflects on Jimmy's remarkable life. Jimmy tells the story of his rise from humble beginnings to distinction both on and off the field with modesty and humour.

The result of several years of original research, the book traces the continuities in women's participation since the beginnings of the game, and highlights the significant moments that have influenced current practice. The text provides:
· insight into the communities and individual experiences of players, fans, investors, administrators and coaches
· examination of the attitudes and role of national and international associations
· analysis of the development of the professional game
· comparisons with women's football in mainland Europe, the USA and Africa.

A Game for Rough Girls is the first text to properly theorise the development of the game. Examining recreational and elite levels, the author provides a thorough critique, placing women's experience in the context of broader cultural and sports studies debates on social change, gender, power and global economics.

The result of several years of original research, the book traces the continuities in women's participation since the beginnings of the game, and highlights the significant moments that have influenced current practice. The text provides:
· insight into the communities and individual experiences of players, fans, investors, administrators and coaches
· examination of the attitudes and role of national and international associations
· analysis of the development of the professional game
· comparisons with women's football in mainland Europe, the USA and Africa.

A Game for Rough Girls is the first text to properly theorise the development of the game. Examining recreational and elite levels, the author provides a thorough critique, placing women's experience in the context of broader cultural and sports studies debates on social change, gender, power and global economics.

It is beyond dispute that physical activity is good for us, but what are the benefits, challenges and impacts of sport on health? This is the first book to focus on football in the context of health from individual, public and population-level perspectives. Football as Medicine examines the effects of football training on the three main types of fitness (cardiovascular, metabolic and musculoskeletal) and on specific target populations (for example, children, type 2 diabetes patients, cancer patients, people with mental health conditions, the socially deprived and older people). It discusses the significance of football for public health and assesses the efficacy of football interventions by clubs and community sport development programs. With its multi-disciplinary approach, this is a valuable resource for students, researchers and practitioners working in physical activity and health, public health, health promotion and medicine, as well as football and sport business management, sport and exercise science, and the sociology of sport.

In recent years, football's status as "the world's sport" has shown little sign of waning. From increasing participation at grassroots levels and to the highly lucrative media rights deals secured by the top elite clubs, the game appears to be thriving as it continues to excite and enthral billions of people around the globe. Nevertheless, there are a number of challenges and opportunities facing the football industry today that warrant further examination. This book brings together leading international researchers to survey the current state of the global football industry, exploring contemporary themes and issues in the marketing of football around the world. With contributions from Europe, Asia and the Americas, it discusses key topics such as football club management, the economics of the football industry, match-fixing, social media, fan experiences, the globalized marketplace, and the growing popularity of the women's game. Offering insights for researchers, managers, and marketers who are looking to stay ahead of the game, The Global Football Industry: Marketing Perspectives is essential reading for anyone with an interest in international sport business.

The intention of the book is to highlight the development of a type of football organisation that falls outside of the well documented elite professional game, the most recognizable face of the sport. Specifically, the focus here will fall upon community based football clubs which have grown out of the grassroots game. Well known examples of these clubs in Britain are the Bristol organisation, Easton Cowboys and Cowgirls, and the Leeds based Republica Internationale - both of these clubs have forged links with similarly motivated organisations in other countries who regularly come together in tournaments to express solidarity. Collectively, these clubs have sometimes been referred to as forming a 'DIY culture' in football. Their defining characteristics being variously described as anti-commercial, democratically constituted, advocating social responsibility and inclusiveness, and holding an outlook of solidarity that, in some cases, involves political education. This book was originally published as a special issue of Sport in Society.

Human beings are the only creatures known to engage in sport. We are sporting animals, and our favourite pastime of football is the biggest sport spectacle on earth. The Philosophy of Football presents the first sustained, in-depth philosophical investigation of the phenomenon of football. In explaining the complex nature of football, the book draws on literature in sociology, history, psychology and beyond, offering real-life examples of footballing actions alongside illuminating thought experiments. The book is organized around four main themes considering the character, nature, analysis and aesthetics of football. It discusses football as an extra-ordinary, unnecessary, rule-based, competitive, skill-based physical activity, articulated as a social (as opposed to natural) kind that is fictional in character, and where fairness or fair play - contrary to much sport ethical discussion - is not centre stage. Football, it is argued, is a constructive- destructive contact sport and, in comparison to other sports, is lower scoring and more affected by chance. The latter presents to its spectators a more unpredictable game and a darker, more complex and denser drama to enjoy. The Philosophy of Football deepens our understanding of the familiar features of the game, offering novel interpretations on what football is, how and why we play it, and what the game offers its followers that makes us so eagerly await match day. This is essential reading for anybody with an interest in the world's most popular game or in the philosophical or social study of sport.

This reference work aims to provide sports enthusiasts, journalists, librarians, students and scholars with an authorative source of information on a comprehensive range of subjects covering the history and organization of football in Britain. Over 200 entries focus on key organisations or individuals, famous clubs, major competitions, events, venues and incidents, institutions and organisations as well as key issues such as gender, racism, commercialization, professionalism and drugs, alcohol and football. Additionally entries on football as reflected in drama, film, literature, paintings and other arts are also included. The aim has been to provide a reasonably comprehensive overview of British football, past and present. The Encyclopedia of British Football has been written by a team of over 50 experts in the field of sport from administrators and managers through fans, armchair enthusiasts, journalists and PE teachers to academic researchers and sports scientists.

This book examines the construction of national, regional, and group identities in the football journalism of five European countries: England, France, Germany, Italy and Spain. Notions of the respective national stereotypes are explored in each of the countries studied: for instance, is the stereotype of the French as a nation producing stylish, elegant football teams reflected in all European countries? Are there differences in the reconstruction of the traditional image of the Germans being efficient and technically competent? Similarly the perpetuation of diverse regional identities within the nations in question is also explored: how is the existence of regional movements in Spain, for example, portrayed by football writing in that country? Finally, group identities such as those of black players (in England), foreigners (in Italy), or women (in France) are analysed with a view to understanding how football writing reconstructs traditional images of such groups.

This book brings together a selection of papers originally presented and discussed at the fourth international restorative justice conference, held at the University of TA1/4bingen. The contributors include many of the leading authorities in the field of restorative justice, and they provide a comprehensive review of the theoretical foundations underlying this rapidly expanding movement. Restorative Justice: Theoretical foundations addresses a wide range of fundamental questions about restorative justice,considering amongst other things ways in which conceptual pitfalls can be avoided, and how traditional models of peacemaking and healing developed in traditional societies can be integrated into the justice systems of late modern societies. Overall it provides an authoritative overview of contemporary thinking about restorative justice and will be essential reading for anybody concerned with the future direction of criminal justice and criminal justice systems. leading world authorities address the theoretical foundations of restorative justicea rapidly expanding area within criminal justiceincludes chapters on restorative justice as applied to corporate crime, family violence and cases of extreme violence

Contents:
1. Introduction Section One: Political Economy 2. Staging the Finals 3. Governing Bodies in World Football 4. The Political Economy of the World Cup Section Two: Football in Korea and Japan 5. The Development in Football in Japan 6. The Development of Football in Korea 7. Korean Football at the Crossroads: A View from Inside Section Three: Football Fandom / Contestation 8. Gender and Football Fandom in Japan 9. Japanese Football: Following the Local and the National Team 10. Koreans and Football in Japan Section Four: Sport Spectacles, Mega Events and the Leisure State 11. The Political, Economic, and Diplomatic Significance of the 2002 Finals 12. The Mass Media and Football in Japan

THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER 'Wrighty's characteristic honesty means his book is far more engrossing than most bland football memoirs' Sunday Times Ian Wright, Arsenal legend, England striker and TV pundit extraordinaire, is one of the most interesting and relevant figures in modern football. His journey from a South London council estate to national treasure is everybody's dream. From Sunday morning football directly to Crystal Palace; from 'boring, boring Arsenal' to inside the Wenger Revolution; from Saturday afternoons on the pitch to Saturday evenings on primetime television; from a week in prison to inspiring youth offenders, Ian will reveal all about his extraordinary life and career. Ian will also frankly discuss how retirement affects footballers, why George Graham deserves a statue, social media, why music matters, breaking Arsenal's goal-scoring record, racism, the unadulterated joy of playing alongside Dennis Bergkamp and, of course, what he thinks of Tottenham. Not a standard footballer's autobiography, Ian Wright's memoir is a thoughtful and gripping insight into a Highbury Hero and one of the greatest sports stars of recent years.

This book explores the role of FIFA in brokering the development of football in Africa and its relationship with that continent's football associations and regional governing body. Africa is no longer on the periphery of world football but the economic disparities between the first and the third worlds hinder the development of the game. The author shows convincingly how Africa's advance within world football is tied to its national political economy and how the balance of power within FIFA still clearly favours its European members.

The football World Cup is unquestionably the biggest sporting event in the world. This fascinating collection of papers examines the background to the 2002 World Cup Finals, to be held in Korea and Japan, and explores the event's profound social, cultural, political and economic significance.
The book offers important insight into topics such as:
* the development of professional football in Korea and Japan
* the political and diplomatic significance of the first co-hosted World Cup
* FIFA and the 'back stage' dealing behind the World Cup
* football as a global culture and its impact on 'traditional' East Asian structures.
This book is essential reading for anybody looking to understand the power of sporting 'mega-events' and the increasingly complex relationship between sport and society. It is also an absorbing read for all serious fans of world football.

Galvinised is the tale of two footballing brothers with contrasting fortunes who played in a golden age of the game. It's a story of glamour and heartache. Tottenham Hotspur snapped up left-winger Tony Galvin from non-league Goole Town while he was studying Russian at Hull University. Tony won the FA Cup and UEFA Cup with Spurs alongside legendary stars such as Glenn Hoddle and Ossie Ardiles. He also won 29 Republic of Ireland caps and played at Euro 88. Tony ended his playing days at Sheffield Wednesday and Swindon Town. Conversely, elder brother Chris, an inside-forward, joined Leeds United as an apprentice but struggled to break into Don Revie's iconic team. After witnessing Leeds' glory days from the subs' bench, he played across the Football League pyramid at Hull City, Stockport County and York City before finding success in Hong Kong. The Galvin brothers have tales galore from the 1960s to 1980s, and share stories of players, travelling escapades, training ground bust-ups and unforgettable matches in this unique biography.

This book examines the construction of national, regional, and group identities in the football journalism of five European countries: England, France, Germany, Italy and Spain. Notions of the respective national stereotypes are explored in each of the countries studied: for instance, is the stereotype of the French as a nation producing stylish, elegant football teams reflected in all European countries? Are there differences in the reconstruction of the traditional image of the Germans being efficient and technically competent? Similarly the perpetuation of diverse regional identities within the nations in question is also explored: how is the existence of regional movements in Spain, for example, portrayed by football writing in that country? Finally, group identities such as those of black players (in England), foreigners (in Italy), or women (in France) are analysed with a view to understanding how football writing reconstructs traditional images of such groups.

This book explores the role of FIFA in brokering the development of football in Africa and its relationship with that continent's football associations and regional governing body. Africa is no longer on the periphery of world football but the economic disparities between the first and the third worlds hinder the development of the game. The author shows convincingly how Africa's advance within world football is tied to its national political economy and how the balance of power within FIFA still clearly favours its European members.

The place of football in the colonial and post-colonial past is explored and both British and Portuguese influences on the development of the game are considered. Contemporary issues such as the impact of the professional league in India and the role of UK Asians in the organization of the Indian game are considered. Future scenarios are explored and models for progression and problems facing the sport in south Asia are outlined.

The place of football in the colonial and post-colonial past is explored and both British and Portuguese influences on the development of the game are considered. Contemporary issues such as the impact of the professional league in India and the role of UK Asians in the organization of the Indian game are considered. Future scenarios are explored and models for progression and problems facing the sport in south Asia are outlined.

Arsenal FC Minute by Minute takes you on a fantastic journey through the Gunners' matchday history. Relive all the breathtaking goals, heroic penalty saves, sending offs and other memorable moments in this unique by-the-clock guide. From Arsenal's early beginnings to the days of domestic dominance, the book covers everything from the great Herbert Chapman era to the Tom Whittaker glory years, Bertie Mee's exciting side of the late 1960s and early 1970s, George Graham's Gunners teams and Arsene Wenger's 'Invincibles'. Revisit Arsenal's most spectacular modern feats and learn things you didn't know about the club's glorious past. From goals scored in the opening seconds to those last-gasp extra-time winners that have thrilled generations of fans at Highbury, The Emirates and around the world, Arsenal FC Minute by Minute is packed with memorable moments. With goals from Thierry Henry, Ian Wright, Cliff Bastin, Charlie George and hundreds of others - the book is filled with thrilling memories from kick-off through to the final whistle.