Moving the goalposts – A Yorkshire Tragedy

Written by Anthony Clavane

Published by Quercus Publishing 2016

Paperback version 2017

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This book is a really good read in content flow and uncomplicated English.

It is about the demise of sport in Yorkshire brought about by the reckless de -industrialisation of the county in the last 50 years whether it be cotton, steel, coal or fishing.

The decline in the involvement of communities that supported the teams whether close to the grounds, in the workplace at the local welfare club, the pub or over the fence is brilliantly portrayed. A dash to a culture of the individual enabled people to take control of sports teams allowing them to borrow against a new tomorrow leading to the liquidation of clubs or over burdening them with lasting debt of which some have not recovered. The growth of Sky and their domination through money and changes to suit their broadcasting in Rugby League Rugby Union, Cricket and Football detached the paying public often turning them from spectator/fan to consumer. Recent domination by the top teams through being owned by Oligarchs, Countries and Corporations, with no links to national or local communities has enhanced the disconnect and poor performance of the local team on top of the local de-industrialisation. This has further emphasised the left behind culture that has blighted the country particularly in Yorkshire.

There are great references to Kes, Billy Elliott and The Full Monty how their portrayals referenced the times and changing attitudes.

Leeds may have now returned to the Premiership but other clubs such as Sheffield Wednesday, Rotherham and Sheffield United have gone backwards and Halifax and York are no longer in the football league structure. Featherstone Rovers may never again be able to compete for the Rugby League Challenge Cup.

Definitely worth a read.

The Story of Bela Guttmann

The Greatest Comeback

From Genocide to Footbnall Glory

Written by David Bolchover

Published by Biteback Publishing. London, 2017

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Some times you come accross something that just changes your views and knowledge that you have held for sometime and this happened to me having opened this book.

You are confronted by the fact that Bela Guttmann was the most successfull manager of his era, his ultimate achievement of many, was to lead Benfica of Portugal to two European Cup Final victories at a time when Real Madrid were most dominant. I had never heard of the man but he paved the way for the management styles of Alex Ferguson, Jose Mourinho, Pep Guardiola and many more. He perhaps invented total football before the Netherlands and his influence spread to new line up formations used today. He also managed and played throughout Europe and in North and South America, his playing career stradling both sides of the Second World War.

But this says nothing of the man himself, born a Jew in pre-war Hungary, persecuted for his beliefs and luckilly spared the Hollacust death camps through the kindness of others and his own guille and resourcefullness. Bela Guttmann was not a saint and the book covers his flaws as well.

There is more though, that increased my knowledge in that the book explains the persecution of Jews through time but what hit me was the array of countries where persecution took place both before and after the war and the devastation that all of this had along with the horrors of Nazi fascism. David Bolchovers research and writting style are trully magnificent.

I try not to say too much about a book so as not to spoil it for future readers but I must say that if you want to open your mind, be beguilled by a human story and learn about the evolvement of football then this is the book for you.

She Stood There Laughing – A Man, His Son and their Football Club

Written By Stephen Foster

First Published in Great Britain in 2004 by Simon & SchusterUK Ltd

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This book is about Stephen Foster, a fan of Stoke City, being loyal to his home team even though he had moved away to Norwich. His journey is through the ups and downs of the lower Leagues and a brief flirtation with the Premier League, but he maintains his long commute to both home and often away games.

He takes his son to a Stoke game and he is surprised that he is bitten by the bug even though his local Norwich City are performing so much better.

The beginning of the book had me smiling, giggling at some of the crazy day and night time visits to see Stoke as it reminded me of some of the mad journeys my son and I made.

For me though the book seemed to peter out in the middle and the unnecessary swearing made me tired of the book. It also seemed odd that the final match in the book, a typical Stoke survival from relegation, which they won, does not get a report on such a vital match.

Sorry I became detached from a book that does give some good fan wisdom of how a club will always be there creating new memories of new players and owners and in many ways many of those gone before will just be a statistic of the past.

There’s only two David Beckhams written by John O’Farrell

Published by Transworld Publishers/Penguim Random House UK 2015

There are infact three David Beckhams in this book in what is a funny novel about England’s plan to win the 2022 World Cup in Quatar with a paralell story about how football brings Dads and Sons together.

The Tony Blair Government in the 1990’s seemed more interested in picking their all time best England Football team (I had to disagree with some of their Choices) than other lofty matters of state. Ending our long history of 55 years without a trophy however was a priority.

Because it was written in 2015 their crystal ball for the 2020 Euro’s was a bit cloudy

The hero Alfie Baker a sports writter of what appears to be little esteem and scorned by some of his peers gets involved in investigative journalism that could make or break his career and a country. The action keeps rolling with funny clips and comedy throughout.

David Baddiel said of this book ‘The funniest football fiction since FIFA’S annual accounts’.

This book needs reading soon before it is out of date. My copy was again fronm the Oxfam Book Shop in Sheffield but I would recommend a copy from any good book shop.

Another Bloody Saturday

A Journey to The Heart and Soul of Football

Written By Mat Guy

Luath Prerss Limited Edinburgh Reprinted 2020 Edition

This is a charming book written with a lot of passion and empathy for his friends, family and all those who he comes in contact with.

The book follows Mat’s 2014/15 season from the start in July 2014 for the game between Bangor City and Stjarnan in a Europa League First Qualifying Round Second Leg to April 2015 and Dagenham & Redbridge playing Accrington Stanley in DivisionTwo.

There are many unusual stops in ths journey for a Southampton based fan, including the Faroes, Cyprus, Sri Lanka, Wales and many other more local destinations.

We all dream of unusual football outcomes but Mat seems to achieve his in often fascinating and definately not conventional ways. Throughout the book though there is a growing love for Accrinton Stanley who although many hours away from home give him the warm feeling of belonging.

You can support different teams for many reasons and due to changing times in your life and Mat shows this in his book and retains loyalty to Salisbury, Southampton and Accrington.

If Matt writes another book I will be in the queue to buy it.

Nutmeg

The Scottish Football Periodical

Publisher: Ally Palmer Editor:Daniel Gray

http://www.nutmegmagazine.co.uk

Wow, what a find. This publication came of interest to me through reading a Daniel Gray book. I was lucky to get it given to me as a yearly subsciption of £35 (you can pay £10 per issue). This is a quaterly magazine, but what a magazine, packed with 196 pages of superb journalism of all sorts of Scottish Football

At £35 I thought, a bit steep for four magazines, but when it arrived its value was soon realised. This is equivalent to a Scottish Football Fanzine on steroids, a years supply of an upmarket weekend newspaper sports supplement or an Itanian daily football paper, or four standard paperback books and so much more.

I am limiting myself to an article a day to make it last and have so far become an expert of Scottish football reorganisation, a passionate fan of Partick Thistle, followed Rangers revival through the dark years, re-lived the demise of the Saturday evening football paper and why the Qatar World Cup should be boycotted. As someone from south of the border I didn’t realise the depth of the game in Scotland. This magazine is reducing my aimless trawling on my phone and giving me back some good thoughtful writing to read.

Saturday Bloody Saturday: Written by Alastair Campbell and Paul Fletcher

First Published in Great Britain 2018 by Weidenfield & Nicilson

I usually read a novel between the many football books but this time I achieved the best of both worlds by reading a football novel.

It turned out to be worthwhile and very readable. We never get to know which top level football team the story is about but we certainly get to know the characters in the team, the Chairman and his scheming lieutenant, the young apprentice about to break into the team, the new top money signing and the other menbers of the playing and support staff.

Most of all the central character is Charlie Gordon the seasoned manager who is struggling with life and getting results that will lift the team from a drift downwards. He is not helped by his understudy who eyes the top post and sees it within his grasp. Will Chalie Gordon get the League results or a prestigious cup run that will it secure his position for now, will the players respond. many of whom have their own personal battles to conquer.

Running paralell to this is a political story that includes an IRA cell who are waiting instructions to assasinate a senior politician. You also get an insight to these individuals and their lives which may or may not cross over with the football team in some way.

I know I enjoyed the book as I was keen to read more and finish it.

Worth the time for anybody with a football interest especially with holiday time on your hands.

The Beautiful Game – A Journey Through Latin American Football

Written by Chris Taylor

The paperback edition was published by Phoenix in 1999, an imprint of Orion Books Ltd.

I decided not to read some of the older books I have on my shelves, I’m really glad I didn’t listen to myself.

This is the best book I have read for some time for many reasons.

Chris Taylor’s writing style welcomes you in and keeps you hooked as he takes you on as the title says ‘A Journey Through Latin American Football’. He could have focused on the big two of Brazil and Argentina but be prepared for a trip into Nigaragua, Chile, Bolivia et al. There is even a section about the South American football scene in London.

As he says early on ‘In most of Latin America, football is one of the foremost expressions of a country’s culture’. ‘The other factor, the passion of the supporters is also relative’.

Where would football be without culture and passion which Latin Americans have in bucketfuls but Chris explains that corruption, economics, money, politics, drugs, racism, the clubs, fans and the fabulous skills of some of the world’s greats have their place.

As in many other places in the world it was the British who brought football to many of these countries and the local have set about creating their own style which has rivalled and often passed the European domination of Football.

The history is inspiring rather than dull and the competition between countries and clubs is expertly covered but it is people that shine through the pages. What is special is that although over 20 years old it is still relevant today.

Chris, a great book, thank you, I hope others will enjoy.

NB. The Beautiful Game (Portuguese: o jogo bonito) is a nickname for association football, popular within media and advertising. It was popularised by the Brazilian professional footballer Pelé. Although the exact origin of the phrase is disputed. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page

How Football Explains the World – (An Unlikely Theory of Globalisation)

Written by Franklin Foer

First Published in the UK by Arrow Books in 2005

This is an interesting book written by Franklin Foer, American writer and editor, who looks into the game of football in various countries and explains how he see’s it gives an insight into what is going on in the world and the character of different groups within countries.

What struck me most was that that Foer was writing obout his experience that globilisation had not changed local identity or culture well before the backlash to globalisation itself. The rise of nationalistic leaders and nostalgic politics have followed his book and perhaps his bold title of ‘How Football Explains the World’ was a very insightful predictor of the future or was the secondary title of ‘An Unlikely Theory of Globilisation’ completely off the mark.

The chapter about Nigerian footabllers being sought by clubs in the Ukraine widening out about Ukraine’s society and their football scene in general was for me was the most interesting.

A chapter on football in Iran gave the impression that there was an udercurrent through football fans that would overthrow the Islamic revolution. Hmmmm.

The British comment regarding fans of Celtic, Rangers, Chelsea and Tottenham gave me a miserable feeling of continuing intollerance and anger which I had thought had diminished. Has it just been controlled in the grounds but not on the streets or in general society.

An interesting book to gain knowledge but not one to uplift your spirits.

Life’s a Pitch (The passions of the Press Box)

Compiled and Edited by Michael Calvin

Published by Integr8 Books 2012

I put this book down half read because for Christmas I had been given the latest tale about John Rebus by Ian Rankin. Having read all the previous adventures I had to quickly keep up to speed and as usual I was not disappointed.

I started to rediscover this book but with little enthusiasm as I couldn’t remember much of what went before. I am one of those people who once you start a book you have to finish it. This has meant I have struggled through some poor and difficult books.

Much to my surprise I found I enjoyed the second half.

The book is a collection of selected writings of 18 leading football writers and as explained by Marc Watson in the ‘Afterword’ they were all known to him through their work for BT’s football website.

My favourite chapter ‘Egg and Chips for Two’ by David Walker explains the behind the scenes ownership and management of Leeds United’s last great period, particularly their encounters with the European elite who tried to put them down but were firmly put in their place. Some may argue but most would see the advantage of them being back in the echelons of English football.

The other chapter that fascinated me was ‘The Tony Soprano of Old Trafford’ by Rob Smyth about his love for Rot Keane which was an unusual admission because of Roy Keane’s ‘Marmite’ personality and views. It gave me more respect for the man and his ability to play football and motivate his teammates. He’s subsequent management achievements have not matched his footballing ones but this may all change with the rumours that he is in the running for the vacant Celtic Management job.

A interesting book that brought back memories of the time and shows how football changes so quickly in a decade.