This narrative history of minor league football teams in Connecticut during the 60s and 70s is based on extensive newspaper and periodical research and interviews with nearly 70 former players, broadcasters and journalists. Only a few players - such as Marv Hubbard, Lou Piccone and Bob Tucker - emerged from the minors and made it to the NFL, but many more played for as little as $25 per game in their quest to make it big, or just to have fun playing the game they loved. Wealthy men like Pete Savin and Frank D'Addario got to live their dreams by owning teams in Hartford and Bridgeport. In the days before cable television saturated the media with live sports, small town fans turned out to support their local heroes, often men who worked on construction crews during the week, and stopped by the diner Sunday morning to talk football. Now in their 60s, 70s and 80s, these men share their stories of a simpler era; the good times, like the Hartford Knights' 1968 ACFL championship season, and the long bus rides and missed paydays that were as much a part of minor league ball as first downs and interceptions.

This book chronicles the history of the Philadelphia Athletics, the first real dynasty in Major League Baseball. The focus of the book is the 1931 season, where Philadelphia, led by is superstar pitcher, Lefty Grove, had the best season in franchise history, leading to a third consecutive trip to the World Series. With a roster full of future Hall of Fame players like Al Simmons, Mickey Cochrane, Jimmie Foxx, Connie Mack, and Lefty Grove, the Athletics were one of the best baseball teams of all time, and the 1931 season served as the apex of their success, as the financial restrictions of the Great Depression caused team ownership to break up the team.

Orient fans rarely get to glimpse truly great footballers, unless, of course, they are playing for the other team. This book pays tribute to 12 of these Orient greats: Peter Allen, Sid Bishop, Steve Castle, Alan Comfort, Stan Charlton, Laurie Cunningham, Tony Grealish, Tommy Johnston, Peter Kitchen, Matt Lockwood, Dennis Rofe, Tommy Taylor.

"Derby's Days" delves deep into the historic rivalry between Derby County and Nottingham Forest, to investigate just why it is so special to everyone involved - from players to managers to supporters. It offers legendary stories, looking back at the greatest clashes between the clubs. Derby County v Nottingham Forest is a rivalry steeped in history, drama, controversy, success, failure, and pretty much anything else football can throw at you. How about recovering from your goalkeeper being sent off after a couple of minutes to win on opposition turf, a double over your rivals on the way to winning your first title while they get relegated, or even beating them in European competition? Then again, it's not always been plain-sailing. Who can forget the two disallowed goals and a missed penalty in stoppage-time, or the publicly-paraded yet ultimately failed signing of the rivals' star player, and that's without even considering the FA Cup final between the two sides? "Derby's Days" delves deep into the rivalry to see just what makes it tick and why it is so special to everyone involved - from players to managers to supporters. And as the title suggests it's a look at all things great and good from a black and white perspective, celebrating the history of this most anticipated of fixtures and looking back in great detail over many of the Rams' greatest moments against their foes from along Brian Clough Way.

This is a humourous and touching account of an Everton fans unexpected move abroad. It is loaded with adventure and surprise, a true journey of self-discovery. Football fans passionate about their team will relate to the intense need to 'get the result' no matter where they are in the world. On Friday, 1 September 1989 Cliff Green boarded a plane from Heathrow to Nairobi to begin what he imagined to be a two year interlude to his teaching career in the UK. He was 27 and had never lived overseas before. In all respects he was very much a 'homeboy' being immensely attached to the British culture notably pop music, English pubs, Coronation Street and, most significantly, Everton Football Club. In all respects he was the last person on earth that anyone would have expected to live away from the shores of the UK. He even surprised himself with the decision. On 15 March 2011 he returned to England after more than two decades of teaching overseas in a journey that included Kenya, Bermuda and Uganda and a career path that led to his appointment in 2009 as Principal of one of the largest international schools in East Africa. There was also a personal journey of discovery and adventure loaded with humour and surprise and, while the pull of British culture diminished, the passion for Everton just grew and grew, no matter how difficult it may have been to 'get the result'.

This is a complete history of Norwich City, including facts, figures, highs and lows and a short biography on each personality. It is a must read for all Norwich supporters that appreciate those whose time at Norwich have done so much to shape a brilliant club. "Hall of Fame - Norwich's All Time Greats" looks at some fascinating facts and figures about the Hall of Fame in general before examining each personality in more detail though a short biography. The biographies look at each characters career, focusing specifically on their achievements, their records and their memorable moments with Norwich City illustrating just why Canary supporters hold them in such great esteem. Written in chronological order it takes you on a journey through the complete history of Norwich City, reliving the many successes and also the lows, through the 'Famers' involved in that era.

Containing 1,000 challenging questions, "The Blue Army Quiz Book" will test the memory of all Leicester City fans with sections covering every aspect of the club's history. It is all here, from the club's humble beginning at Fosse Road through to the magnificent King Power Stadium, from fixtures with Harborough Town through to Real Madrid, from Arthur Chandler to Gary Lineker, Johnny Duncan to Sven Goran Erikson, from a 6-6 draw with Arsenal to Wembley wins, and from relegation battles to promotion play-offs. Informative as it is entertaining, this book is guaranteed to provide hours of fun for Leicester's Blue Army of fans.

This is a book guaranteed to provide hours of fun for Leyton Orient's loyal fans. Containing over 1,300 challenging questions, "Leyton Orient The Official Quiz Book" will test the memory of all O's fans with sections covering every aspect of the club's history. Some of the questions being fairly easy, and some a little more difficult, but all done with the purpose of enlightening all O's and footballing fans around the world about our grand history and important events. It also covers many of the players and officials over the years right down to today when we all look to the Gaffer, Russell Slade and his boys taking O's up the League. As informative as it is entertaining, this book is guaranteed to provide hours of fun for Leyton Orient's loyal fans.

"Son of My Father" explores the changing relationship between father, son and their beloved football club - Derby County. Along with the changing faces of managers and players: the fads, news and music of the eighties and nineties are brought to life. To the backdrop of driving through clouds to Oldham, to driving rain in Bristol, "Son of My Father" explores the changing relationship between father, son and their football club. From the eyes of a hero-worshipping four-year-old, through to a relationship of mutual admiration and shared understanding, via the angst and traumatic misunderstandings of an adolescent, Matches from Leyton to Liverpool punctuate a story about growing up at the end of the second millennium. The novel includes the family life as well as the football and what it was like supporting Derby County in a house occupied by a brother whose allegiance stood steadfast towards rivals Nottingham Forest. It also covers the friendships that were made at school, just because we supported the same team. Along with the changing faces of managers and players: the fads, news and music of the eighties and nineties are brought to life, as well as the dawning of the new millennium where overnight we all realised that despite the Y2K Bug promising computer meltdown, 1 January 2000 was just the same as 31 December 1999. "Son of My Father" charts the relationship between the author, his Dad and Derby County Football Club, from their first visit together to the Baseball Ground in November 1979 and through two and a half decades spent watching their team.

The "Burnley FC Miscellany" offers a detailed history of Burnley FC, where you can read some of the odd, quaint and quirky things that have been part of the past 125 years of Clarets history. 'Read all about it!' in "The Burnley FC Miscellany". Burnley Football Club come from the smallest town ever to win League Division One and the FA Cup. Some big city clubs currently in the Premier League have won neither! Burnley FC's history sparkles with international players, 'football firsts' and record-breaking achievements. Among their players have been a Footballer of the Year, one who played for Great Britain, several who played in World Cups and at least one who captained his country. But this book is mainly about Burnley 'off the record'. Here you can read some of the odd, quaint and quirky things that have been part of the past 125 years of Clarets history. Who scored three goals for England and was never picked again? When did Burnley play 10 Scots in the first team, making the only Englishman feel 'lonely'? And what has golf in a hotel bedroom got to do with anything? When Burnley were in Division Four, how was it that they attracted over 80,000 to watch them in one game? When did 10 Blackburn Rovers players walk off the pitch? Which position did Blackadder play in the Burnley team? And which bricklayer became the club's greatest ever player?

Formed in 1895 as the works team of Thames Ironworks, they were renamed West Ham United in 1900 when they turned professional. The Hammers took part in the first Wembley Cup Final in 1923. They won the cup for the first time in 1964, following up with Wembley victories in 1975 and 1980. In 1966 England won the World Cup with the help of three Hammers players - Bobby Moore, Geoff Hurst and Martin Peters. Two months earlier, the Hammers had made history in their own right by winning the European Cup-winners Cup with an all-Englash eleven. This is a wonderful record of some of the greatest days in the history of this great club.

"The Who's Who of West Bromwich Albion" looks at the varied experiences of the Baggies through the club's lifeblood - the players. Here are details of the careers of all the players, including the number of appearances they made, the number of goals they scored, the position they played in and their transfer records. This comprehensive volume is a valuable addition to the bookshelves of all West Brom fans. This comprehensive book consists of detailed biographies of every player ever to take part in a first-team game for the Baggies since the club entered the FA Cup in November 1883. Author Tony Matthews has meticulously researched the history of West Brom to uncover such details as when a player joined the club and where from, how many appearances he made, which positions he played in, how many goals he scored and where he went to when he left the Hawthorns. International and FA Cup performances are also recorded. Other staff of the club are not forgotten, and within these pages are biographies of all the managers, chairmen, directors, secretaries, trainers and coaches that have worked behind the scenes to shape the history of this proud club. The book is illustrated throughout with a fine collection of pictures, many of them from the club's own archives. The result is a book that is a must-have for every Baggies fan that is sure to find its way onto the bookshelves of supporters young and old.

This book captures the dramas and the emotion of Manchester City's victories and losses, as witnessed through the eyes of two lifelong City fans, 40 something Will and nephew Martyn, 17 years his junior. Feel their hopes, fears, nerves, disappointment, resignation, exultation and final relief. Forty-four years since their last top league title, City were crowned champions of England in 2012 for only the 3rd time in their history, pipping local rivals Manchester United on goal difference in the process. In 1999 they won a far less coveted trophy awarded for winning the Division Two promotion play-off final and thus propelling the club back up to the heights of English football s 2nd tier (at about the same time, the aforementioned local rivals were completing an unprecedented treble of the English Title & Cup as well as being crowned champions of Europe). Without City s 99 victory, it is highly likely that 2012 triumph would never have happened. Modern City may be light years away from the humble outfit of just over a decade ago, but there are plenty of parallels to be drawn alongside all of the contrasts.

"Magic Carpet Ride" is the story of Niall Quinn's time at Sunderland as player, manager and chairman. Featuring insights from writers, business associates and former players, this is a tale of ups, downs, taxi cabs and clowns. This book will appeal to anyone with an interest in the Black Cats, but Quinn's tale will reach a national and international audience. He is very highly regarded in the game and massive in the ROI. He is currently one of the main summarisers on Sky Sports. Niall Quinn's love affair with Sunderland AFC is well documented. From arriving as a player to leaving as a director, having been manager and chairman in between, Quinn really saw it all in his time on Wearside. For the first time since leaving the club, writers from "Seventy3 Magazine" chart the ups, downs, taxi cabs and clowns during Quinn's tenure at the club.

The book is the day by day story of the 1954 Indians, whose .721 winning percentage is still the highest in American League history. It tells how down the city of Cleveland was on the team following three straight second place finishes, how little was expected of it by its fans, and even some of its players, and how it exceeded all expectations by winning a league-record 111 games and a pennant, before flopping in the World Series.

In "United - The Busby Era", Mike Prestage talks to players from each of the three great sides, and tells the story of the 25 years which established Manchester United for ever as the world's greatest club. Without the Busby influence it is doubtful whether United would today enjoy such dominance in world football. When Manchester United's directors appointed Matt Busby manager in 1945 they made probably the most significant decision in the club's history, Busby inherited a club with no home - Old Trafford had been badly damaged by German bombs during the war and United were playing their home games at Maine Road - but the former Scottish international wing-half began to rebuild from the ashes. He moulded his first great team under the captaincy of Johnny Carey, and they went on to win the FA Cup in 1948, in a Final of breathtaking entertainment. In 1952, his side, now containing the first flowerings of the 'Busby Babes', lifted the League championship for the first time in 41 years. In his first six years in charge, United never finished lower than fourth in the top flight. Then fresh talent began to emerge and with Roger Byrne as his captain, Busby took the club to consecutive League titles in 1956 and 1957, in the second of those years coming close to becoming the first modern manager to steer a team to the League and Cup double. By then his quest for European glory had begun as United were now one of the best sides in the world. The European dream was shattered at Munich where many of his young players died, including the England trio of Byrne, Duncan Edwards and Tommy Taylor. Busby himself fought a courageous battle against severe injuries and eventually, with assistant Jimmy Murphy - his first 'signing' in 1945 - assembled another great team. The FA Cup was won again in 1963 and the Championship in 1965 and again in 1967. Then the stage was set for the greatest triumph - the winning of the European Cup in 1968. It was the crowning glory for Busby and for players like George Best and Bobby Charlton.

The history of Fulham Football Club told through the stories of the major matches, charting the path of a club with humble beginnings that rose and fell several times over the last 100 years.

This is the story of Widnes RLFC one of rugby's most famous clubs and how it survived administration and returned to Super League. Backed by the club and written by the official club statistician this will appeal to fans of the club and the wider rugby world. The club will use their website and other social media to generate interest in the book. The author contributes to the match day programme and is a committee member of the supporters club. He also has contacts at the local media - both print and radio. Having sunk into Administration in 2007 former World Club Champions Widnes Vikings, under the stewardship of new owner Steve O'Connor, rose phoenix-like to eventually re-gain their place in the top tier of the sport in 2012. Along the way they suffered rejection by the Rugby Football League in the sport's inaugural Licensing process in 2008, only to be successful three years later. Mike Healing's informative account of how the club turned that failure into success takes an in-depth look at the many changes taking place within the club as it was re-structured for success in addition to the new Licensing process. While the main focus is on the behind-the-scenes developments, the highs and lows of the on-field action, including the return to Super League in 2012, also receive detailed attention.

This book is the complete guide to all of the games played by Hearts in European competitions since the club become only the third Scottish team to enter the European Cup. With contributions from several prominent Hearts players and celebrity fans, including Ken Stott and Scott Wilson, From Athens to Zagreb will evoke forgotten memories amongst fans of all ages.