Football
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When ‘Jesus’ Came to Hong Kong: The Remarkable Story of the First European Football Star in Asia
It took balls to go to Hong Kong. When Scottish footballer Derek Currie was made an offer to travel to Hong Kong to play against the one sportsman he had dreamed of meeting on the field, he couldn’t say no. From apprentice printer in Glasgow to playing football against Pelé in the Far East, singing with Stevie Wonder and shadow-boxing with Marvelous Marvin Hagler, Currie enjoyed a magical life as one of the first three European professional footballers in Asia. He was quickly nicknamed ‘Jesus’ by Hong Kong football fans. Here he traces the early development of professional football in the then-British colony through his own career – the games, the places and the characters he met along the way – as well as a season playing for the San Antonio Thunder in Texas. Given a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, he didn’t think twice – traveling 6,000 miles across the world to pursue his dream of professional football. In the years that followed, he met international stars from music, showbusiness, boxing and horse racing. Here in words and pictures is his amazing story – if not for the photographic proof you could be forgiven for thinking it might be a fairy tale! It isn’t.Read more
£13.60£15.20 -
Grassroots Football Match Day Planner: for Managers and Coaches of Saturday & Sunday Football Clubs within Amateur Leagues and Youth Soccer
Football Managers Match Day Planner
Designed for Grassroots level football, this match day planner will help coaches organise their team and, in doing so, will be a useful record for future games.
Plan your team and tactics ahead of the game, with over 40 match team-sheets spread over a double page; the details include:
- Team Formation
- Pitch diagram
- Initial Tactics
- Name the Captain, Set-Piece, Corner and Penalty takers
- The Match Fixture
- Competition (League or Cup)
- Team Line up (with subs)
- Boxes for Goal, Yellow & Red Cards, Subbed and M-o-M
- Game Summary
Also, pages for Results and Fixtures, Players signed-on and a contact page.
This would make an ideal gift for any football coach at amateur level who likes to be organised. Perfect for Sunday Football Clubs where half the enjoyment is logging details of local games and results.
Planner Details:
- 7.44′ x 9.69′ inches
- 100 Pages
- Glossy Cover in Thick Stock-Card Material
- Over 40 Game Day Double Page Spreads
Designed originally for Sunday Football Clubs, this planner would be an excellent addition for all levels of amateur and Grassroot level teams, whether that be for youth soccer or Saturday adult clubs.
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£5.20 -
Football Word Search: Premier League 2023/24 Edition: Football Word Search For Kids and Adults
This 2023/24 Premier League Word Search Books is a Perfect Gift for Football Mad Kids and Adults!
This Football Word Search book will keep footy fans busy for hours! With 50 completely up to date word searches for the 2023/24 Premier League season.
The Football Word Search book is a great gift for the 2023/24 Premier League season:
- For football fans of all ages
- 50 football word search puzzles
- Includes statistics, names, stadiums, and managers up to date for the new season
- Beautiful football illustrations throughout
- 6″ x 9″ is a perfect size for on the go entertainment
- A great gift for football fans that would make a nice birthday present or stocking filler
- And all answers can be found at the back of the book!
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£5.70 -
Maradona (Classic Football Heroes – Limited International Edition)
Complete your collection with these limited Classic Football Heroes International editions – now with a bonus World Cup chapter!Diego Maradona is a true footballing legend, and arguably the greatest player ever. The Argentinian playmaker was renowned for his unbelievable skills and agility, as he effortlessly weaved his way up the pitch and through the opposition defence. Nicknamed ‘The Golden Boy’, Maradona earned ninety-one caps and scored thirty-one goals for his country, including in the 1986 World Cup where he captained his team to victory – scoring the two most famous goals of all time, against England, along the way!
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£6.00£6.60 -
Our Town’s Pride: 103 Years of Rushden Town Football Club
Our Town’s Pride – 103 Years of Rushden Town Football Club tells the story of the Northamptonshire-based football club, affectionately known as The Russians, from their humble beginnings at the turn of the 19th century as Rushden FC, Rushden Town, Rushden Fosse and finally back to Rushden Town again before the club was merged with local rivals Irthlingborough Diamonds to form Rushden and Diamonds FC in 1992.
This fascinating collection of photographs, press cuttings and match reports charts their many highs – and lows – as the Hayden Road side competed in non-league and cup competition.Read more
£9.50 -
The Men Who Made Manchester United: The Untold Story
“A great background spanning almost a hundred years on the men who made everything that followed possible. A must-read for any Manchester United fan.” –Gary Neville, former Manchester United captain
“At a time when money is king in football, this is an important insight into just how humble the beginnings of Manchester United were. These are human football stories but they also provide a slice of Manchester’s social history.” –John Murray, BBC Football Correspondent
The Men Who Made Manchester United brings you the definitive history of Manchester United before Sir Matt Busby’s post-war halcyon days.
Inside are tales that will make you squirm, laugh and cry, including:
- The transfer fee of two freezers of ice cream
- The tragic death of a young footballer and his forgotten family
- The fight for the right to unionise
- Edwardian Cockney Reds
- Severed fingers and the pelting stones of the angry residents of Budapest
As Victorian Britain was gripped by ‘the football craze’, eight men laid the foundations at one of the world’s greatest clubs. These pioneers ranged from miners to brewery owners, fitness fanatics to portly beer drinkers. From Stretford, Ancoats, Birmingham, Bolton, Darlington, Chirk and Crewe, some were rebels, others were leaders. All were grafters.
This is the story behind the club’s name and colours, the building of Old Trafford, the founding of the PFA and the creation of the Academy. It’s filled with tales that will fascinate and entertain, making it the perfect gift for Manchester United fans!
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£16.70£19.00The Men Who Made Manchester United: The Untold Story
£16.70£19.00 -
‘Unsuitable for Females’: The Rise of the Lionesses and Women’s Football in England
Shortlisted for the 2023 Sports Book Awards for Best Football Writing of the Year
Discover the origins of the Lionesses that brought football home.
England’s Lionesses are on the front and back pages; their stars feature on prime-time television; they are named in the national honours lists for their contribution to their sport and to society. The names of Lucy Bronze, Steph Houghton and Ellen White are emblazoned across the backs of children’s replica jerseys. These women are top athletes – and top celebrities. But in 1921, the Football Association introduced a ban on women’s football, pronouncing the sport ‘quite unsuitable for females’.
That ban would last for half a century – but despite official prohibition the women’s game went underground. From the Dick, Kerr Ladies touring the world to the Lost Lionesses who played at the unsanctioned Women’s World Cup in Mexico in 1971, generations of women defied the restrictions and laid the foundations for today’s Lionesses – so much so that in 2018 England’s Women’s Super League became the first fully professional league in Europe…when just a few decades previously women were forbidden to play the sport in England at all.
This book tells the story of women’s football in England since its 19th-century inception through pen portraits of its trailblazers. The game might have once been banned because of its popularity – find out about the subversive women who kept organising their teams and matches despite the prohibition, who broke barriers and set records – the legends of the game who built the foundations of the stage upon which today’s stars flourish.
‘At what feels like a pivotal moment, Carrie’s forensic research and depth of knowledge make her the perfect person to guide us through the constantly changing landscape of women’s football’ – Kelly Cates, TV presenter
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£9.50 -
Football Advent Calendar: Countdown to Christmas with 24 Fun Challenges(3 Puzzles A Day) to Test your Football Knowledge
Embark on a Football adventure with our Football Advent Calendar Book! On each page, you’ll find an engaging crossword puzzle And football quiz that challenges your Football knowledge with every question. Answer profound questions about the game to reveal the hidden words. But the fun doesn’t stop there – enjoy an exciting word search puzzle filled with Football-related terms as a bonus. Whether you’re a passionate fan or just starting to explore the sport, this Advent Calendar Book is your ticket to daily fun and games, all centered around the wonderful game.
- 3 Puzzles a day (Football Quiz, Football Crossword, Football Word search)
- Easy to complete in one day
- Fun Idea for all football fans
So why wait? Get ready for the countdown and achieve great success with Football-inspired brain teasers🎁🛒✅!
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£9.50 -
The Ultimate 23/24 Football Activity Book For Kids Aged 6-12: Word Search Mazes Colouring Facts Dot To Dot and much more
Embark on an interactive journey into the 23/24 football season. This immersive activity book is packed with engaging tasks ranging from coloring pages, mazes, and dot-to-dot puzzles, to brain-boosting word searches, each designed to entertain and educate in equal measure.
This book offers fascinating football facts that will enhance your child’s knowledge of the game while they enjoy all the activities. It’s not just an activity book, but also a fun educational resource that encourages the development of problem-solving skills, creativity, and a deeper appreciation for the sport. Watch as your children immerse themselves in hours of fruitful fun, transforming their football fascination into a learning adventure.
Features:
- A diverse collection of activities including coloring pages, mazes, word searches, and dot-to-dot puzzles
- Fun and interesting football facts to enhance knowledge and pique curiosity
- Activities designed to promote problem-solving skills and creativity
- Suitable for football enthusiasts aged 6-12
- A large, easy-to-handle format (8.5 x 11 inches) for a comfortable and engaging experience
Fuel your child’s passion for football and make learning a thrilling experience.
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£6.60 -
Really Fun Football Facts Book For 7 Year Olds: Illustrated Amazing Facts. The Ultimate Trivia Football Book For Kids (Activity Books For Kids)
Packed with really fun illustrated footie facts for kids age 7. If you’re 7 and live and breathe football then you’ll love this football fact book. Over 100 amazing facts that will blow your mind, expand your knowledge and make you a walking, talking, football expert! From the most surprising world records and Premier League football stats to fanatical fans and fascinating trivia about your ultimate football heroes.
From Messi to Ronaldo, Rashford to Kane, Foden to Grealish or the mighty Lionesses – there’s a really fun football superstar fact we bet you didn’t know. Uncover crazy stats and randoms about your favourite team including Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea Tottenham Hotspur and loads more.
Did you know?
• England Captain Harry Kane is a brilliant golfer. He’s almost good enough to go ‘pro’.
• The fastest ever goal in the Premier League was scored in just 7.69 seconds.
• If you put 195 million footballs next to each other they would reach from Earth to Mars.
• Liverpool FC sell a fun version of hot dogs called Klopp Dogs named after their manager Jürgen Klopp.
• Manchester City midfielder Jack Grealish wears age 7-8 kids shin pads!
Highlights
★ Over 100 amazing facts for 7 year olds
★ One of 3 Really Fun illustrated trivia football books
★ Fantastic facts about your favourite football superstars
★ World records and weird-but-true footie facts
★ Great football gifts for boys and girls
★ The ultimate football book for boys 7-9
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£5.70£6.20 -
Create your own football club – Champions edition: Activity book for football mad kids
Create your own football club – Champions editionFollowing on from our popular ‘Create your own football club’ activity book, Amber Octopus is pleased to present this Champions edition.
In this edition, your football mad child will still design the club’s badge, select the starting lineup and create the kits. In addition, they’ll also need to colour the stadium, design the training kit, create merchandise and combine all their designs to create the official matchday programme.
There are 16 tasks for each club with three different clubs to complete. This book is sure to provide hours of entertainment for kids who love football.
Book feature:
- Glossy front cover
- Large 8″x10″ single sided pages
- Three clubs to complete
- Each club has 16 tasks to complete
Thank you for looking & happy creating!
About amberoctopus
Based in rural Buckinghamshire, amberoctopus is a small business created by a father of two young daughters. Our aim is to create engaging books for young people that spark their imagination and creativity – as well as giving parents a little break.
Thank you for your interest.
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£6.10 -
Classic Football Heroes Legend Series Collection 10 Books Set By Matt & Tom Oldfield (Ronaldo, Maradona, Figo, Beckham, Klinsmann, Zidane, Rooney, Giggs, Gerrard, Carragher)
Classic Football Heroes Legend Series Collection 10 Books Set Titles in the Set Ronaldo, Maradona, Figo, Beckham, Klinsmann, Zidane, Rooney, Giggs, Gerrard, CarragherRead more
£26.60£56.90 -
Lancashire Turf Wars: A Football History
Lancashire has had a major role to play in English football from its earliest days to the present. The county’s leading clubs were largely responsible for the introduction of professionalism in the 1880s, after Preston North End admitted paying their players, and the world’s first Football League was divided between teams from the North West and the Midlands. Preston’s ‘Invincibles’ triumphed in that first competition before adding the FA Cup that two different Blackburn clubs had already won – and soon the great clubs of Merseyside and Manchester were winning their first trophies. As the turf wars developed, Blackpool, Bolton Wanderers, Burnley, Bury and Oldham all made their mark in the top division; clubs such as Rochdale and Wigan fought the good fight in rugby hotbeds; and more recently Fleetwood and Morecambe have carried the name of their towns further afield. This is the story of these great rivals, their triumphs, scandals and tragedies, and the great players who have kept the red rose to the fore at home and abroad.Read more
£9.80£12.30Lancashire Turf Wars: A Football History
£9.80£12.30 -
Playmaker: My Life and the Love of Football
The first full autobiography from former footballer and England manager Glenn Hoddle who was one of the most celebrated footballers of his generation. A wonderfully talented No. 10 – he formed part of the great Spurs teams of the early 1980s and cut his teeth in the blood and thunder of an England team that prioritised aggression over creativity. Often seen as a player ‘out of time’, Glenn was a playmaker in the purest sense. A creator and a goal scorer, he rose through the Tottenham youth academy – playing under Keith Burkinshaw and crossing paths with the likes of club legends Bill Nicholson and Danny Blanchflower – before going on to play in Monaco under the tutelage of Arsène Wenger. In Playmaker, he looks back on his rise as a prodigious young footballer and talks at length about his career that took him from cleaning the cockerel at White Hart Lane to managing the England football team at a World Cup. From scoring in an FA Cup final to winning the league in France; from revitalising Chelsea in the early 1990s, to managing the fall-out after David Beckham’s infamous sending off at the 1998 World Cup; from surviving a near fatal cardiac arrest at the age of 61, to continuing to work within the game he loves – Playmaker is a life lead through football, and an autobiography of one of the game’s most admired, thoughtful and respected personalities.Read more
£8.70£9.50Playmaker: My Life and the Love of Football
£8.70£9.50 -
Football Journal: A Record of Your Season
Keep track of every match, goals, assists and more in this journal designed for football players everywhere.Dedicated pages allow you to record the details of each match that you play in. Fill in the opponents, your goals, assists, clean sheets and the final score. There is space to reflect and write what you have done well in each match and what you can improve on. Finally give your match a rating.
This journal is perfect for all aspiring football players. It is a great birthday gift, Christmas gift, or present in a party goody bag. Buy them for your team or your best friend. Enjoy filling the journal in each week and looking back on the results of your season.
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£5.70 -
Footballer Match Tracker Journal: A Sport Psychologist’s Practical Guide to Setting Goals and Reviewing Performance
Brought to you by Sport & Exercise Psychologist, James Newman, this simple to use tracker helps you set goals and review performances for over 40 matches, so you can maximise your improvements. Each match has a dedicated two-page spread where footballers can write their goals and values pre-match, as well as plan how they’ll handle any tricky situations. After each match, they review performance and plan how to take what they have learned into the next match.James finds that a big gap in athlete improvement is sufficient planning and evaluation. Without this, athletes seriously limit the speed and size of their performance gains. This simple tracker will put young and old footballers in the small group of players who learn the most from each performance, good or bad.
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£9.50 -
The Funny Life of Football – WINNER of The Sunday Times Children’s Sports Book of the Year 2023
WINNER of the Sunday Times Children’s Sports Book Prize 2023
“Every page is guaranteed to grab the imagination and it’s the perfect thing for dipping into at half time.” Love Reading 4 Kids
A hilarious fact and fiction hybrid from bestselling author and stand-up comic James Campbell, who has visited over 3,000 primary schools to tell stories and encourage children to write their own.
Want to know why OCTOPUSES can’t play football? And how to play the game across multiple DIMENSIONS? How about learning the REAL RULES of how football is played, why Henry VIII banned it, plus where it came from and who the greatest players of ALL TIME are?
Whether you love a game of TABLE FOOTBALL, can’t get enough of BACK-GARDEN BALL, only enjoy the game from your SOFA or would sooner swim with sharks than play it, if you LOVE to LAUGH – then this is the book for you!
But be warned – this is NOT a normal book. You can read it forwards, backwards, sideways and in approximately 861,000 different ways in between. From comedian extraordinaire James Campbell, get ready to laugh your BUTT off to a silly book filled with funny stories, partly-true facts and hilarious pictures that will make you think twice about the game everyone thinks they know so well.
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£7.00£7.60 -
Here to Compete: The Inside Story of Newcastle United and the Era of Eddie Howe
The quintessential book for Newcastle United fans everywhere, Sky Sports presenter Pete Graves tells the inside story of the Magpies today, using exclusive interviews with Eddie Howe and other club legends.
Welcome to Newcastle United, the most exciting football club in the world right now.
Since joining the team in 2021, Eddie Howe has been determined to transform Newcastle United from a perennial underachiever into one of the biggest teams in not just the Premier League, but Europe as well. With the players, fans and decision-makers finally all working together, and with the pain of the past behind them, the Magpies are ready for a new era to begin…
Telling the story of Newcastle through some of its most competitive moments, including Kevin Keegan and Bobby Robson’s stewardships, as well as touching on some of its trickier times, television presenter and diehard fan Pete Graves recaps the team’s history and goes inside the club to show what is so exciting about this team today.
Featuring interviews with key figures past and present, including Eddie Howe himself, Graves builds a picture of what’s happening with Newcastle, both on and off the pitch, as they climb the league and set their sights on silverware.
With extensive research and unparalleled access, Here to Compete is the incredible story of a team reborn and the man who is on course to build an empire.
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£9.50£19.00 -
ALEX: The Man Behind The Legend
★★★★★
“A true portrait of a genius…” — Eamonn Holmes, friend of Sir Alex FergusonBEFORE, DURING AND AFTER MANCHESTER UNITED
ALEX is the most up-to-date biography of Sir Alex Ferguson—the most decorated manager in British football history.
Find out how he miraculously recovered from brain surgery in 2018 after doctors gave him a 20 per cent chance of recovery.
Find out why he appointed David Moyes as his successor.
How livid he was when Moyes was sacked ten months later.
This tell-all biography also dives deep into Sir Alex’s true thoughts on the reigns of Louis van Gaal, Jose Mourinho, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as well as the appointment of Ralf Ragnick as caretaker manager before the board opted for Erik Ten Hag to lead the club into a new dawn.
These pages also examines Sir Alex’s home life, and in particular his fifty-seven year marriage to devoted wife Cathy and his relationship with his three sons, Mark, Darren and Jason.
A must-read for any Manchester United fan….
“A fitting and wonderful tribute to the greatest football manager of all time” — Ken Doherty, friend of Sir Alex Ferguson.
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£14.90 -
Football Without Fans: The History of Celtic Supporters Clubs
From Paisley to Papua New Guinea, The Gorbals to The Bronx, Celtic Supporters Clubs are renowned the world over. The only difference between the brake club pioneers of the late 1880s and the present-day CSCs is the mode of transport. The passion, dedication, hopes and dreams of the fans has never changed. The pride of belonging to a cause they believe in has made them the lifeblood of Celtic FC.Delve into what our forefathers got up to, from the horse and carts, motorised charabancs, war years, the highs of Lisbon to the histories of over 400 CSCs. Every supporters club has a story to tell. This book brings them to life with some remarkable tales of heroism, prejudice, inventiveness, charity, mayhem and humour.
This book is by the fans, about the fans, for the fans.
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£15.90£18.00 -
The Official Liverpool FC Annual 2024
If you want to know everything about the Reds, this Official Liverpool FC Annual 2024 is the publication for you. Packed full of interesting facts, stats, features and stunning photography, it is essential reading for every true Liverpool FC fan. Enjoy learning more about all aspects of life at the club and get the inside track from the stars at the forefront of the ongoing quest for success. On and off the pitch, a new Anfield era is dawning so make sure you are fully equipped. If you love Liverpool, you’ll love this.Read more
£7.99£9.99The Official Liverpool FC Annual 2024
£7.99£9.99 -
Football Without Fans: The History of Celtic Supporters Clubs
From Paisley to Papua New Guinea, The Gorbals to The Bronx, Celtic Supporters Clubs are renowned the world over. The only difference between the brake club pioneers of the late 1880s and the present-day CSCs is the mode of transport. The passion, dedication, hopes and dreams of the fans has never changed. The pride of belonging to a cause they believe in has made them the lifeblood of Celtic FC.Delve into what our forefathers got up to, from the horse and carts, motorised charabancs, war years, the highs of Lisbon to the histories of over 400 CSCs. Every supporters club has a story to tell. This book brings them to life with some remarkable tales of heroism, prejudice, inventiveness, charity, mayhem and humour.
This book is by the fans, about the fans, for the fans.
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£9.99 -
British Football’s Greatest Grounds: One Hundred Must-See Football Venues – The Perfect Gift For Avid Football Fans
Discover 100 must-see football grounds across the UK in this stunning hardback edition – featuring full colour photographs and contributions from some of the greatest figures in sport.
Have you ever wanted to visit the most scenic, historic or important football grounds in Britain, but weren’t sure where to start or what to include? In British Football’s Greatest Grounds, Mike Bayly offers a bucket list of places to watch football in England, Wales and Scotland as chosen by fans across the world.
This first-of-its-kind book introduces the reader to a diverse and often breathtaking range of Britain’s football venues. In addition to the oldest, biggest and highest our nation has to offer, it covers lesser-known grounds nestling next to castles, beaches, churches and mountain ranges, as well as modern Premier League stadiums in major cities.
Featuring beautiful images taken by acclaimed sports photographers, along with written contributions from respected industry figures, British Football’s Greatest Grounds is part guide, part love letter to the history, people and places that showcase the best of our unique football landscape. It’s sure to leave you planning a future football trip.
Reviews:
‘Perfect coffee-table relaxer’ – The Sportsman
‘Ideal gift for football fans’ – 5* Reader Review
‘Meticulously researched, beautifully presented…’ – When Saturday Comes Magazine
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£23.70£28.50 -
Beckham (Classic Football Heroes – Limited International Edition)
Complete your collection with these limited Classic Football Heroes International editions – now with a bonus World Cup chapter!In 2002, during the final moments of injury time, David Beckham scored an incredible free-kick, securing England a place in the World Cup. It was this moment that ensured that Beckham would become one of the most loved English footballers, as well as a Manchester United and Real Madrid hero. During a career which spanned twenty years, Beckham won an impressive nineteen major trophies. This is the story of a true sportsman, who earned respect and loyalty from his fans around the world.
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£6.00£6.60 -
Football For Dummies (UK Edition)
Whether you want to impress friends and colleagues with new-found football wisdom, brush up on details you’re unsure about (the offside rule, anyone?) or improve your practical skills, this is the book for you! Covering all the basics of the game, rules and tactics, as well as giving an in-depth history of the sport and how it has evolved to the present day, this indispensable guide will get you up to speed on the most popular game in the world in no time. With dream team formations, tips on football betting and supporting, essential coverage on the World Cup, and stats on current teams, players and managers both at home and abroad, football expert and Guardian journalist Scott Murray keeps it fun, fresh and knowledgeable to get you through the major tournaments and beyond.Football For Dummies includes:
PART 1: KICK OFF
Chapter 1: The bare essentials
Chapter 2: A rich history
Chapter 3: Get your boots on – the gear you needPART 2: PLAYING THE GAME
Chapter 4: Laying down the laws
Chapter 5: Positions and tactics
Chapter 6: Honing your skills
Chapter 7: Talented training
Chapter 8: Coaching, managing and leadership
Chapter 9: Putting it all into practicePART 3: THE WORLD OF FOOTBALL
Chapter 11: The World Cup
Chapter 12: The international scene
Chapter 13: The British club scene
Chapter 14: Taking on the world
Chapter 15: Women’s footballPART 4: FANS ENCLOSURE
Chapter 16: Going to the match
Chapter 17: Read all about it…
Chapter 18: Compulsive viewing: Football on TV (and film, and DVD…)
Chapter 19: Joining in (sort of…)PART 5: THE PART OF TENS
Chapter 20: Great players
Chapter 21: Great managers
Chapter 22: Great matches
Chapter 23: Bad behaviourPART 6: APPENDICES
Appendix 1: Appendix A: Honour Boards
Appendix 2: Glossary
Appendix 3: Key Football OrganisationsRead more
£16.20£18.00Football For Dummies (UK Edition)
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This Is How It Feels: An English Football Miracle
One of the great untold football miracles of all time.
Hard Shoulder, M62 Eastbound, June 1982…
Britain is on the verge of taking the Falkland Islands back from the Argentine invaders, Margaret Thatcher is three years into her tenure at 10 Downing Street and for the first time since the 1930s, three million people are unemployed – with the nation reeling from recession.
One of those searching for a job is standing at the side of the motorway which links the north of England’s east and west coasts with his thumb out. Newly-retired former Everton, Manchester City and England striker Joe Royle is trying to hitch a lift to Boundary Park for what he thinks is an interview for the post of manager at backwater Oldham Athletic. Behind him, smoke pours from his broken-down car’s engine. After a passing lorry takes him the rest of the way, Royle is told that the job is his – and that he will have to sell a player or the club will go bust. Later that day, bailiffs drop in and eye up his office furniture. That night he is in his own garage, stencilling the initials of players’ names on training kit as the reality of the task in hand hits home.
What happened next is one of the great, untold football miracles of all time as unfancied Oldham emerged from the shadows of their illustrious Manchester neighbours and embarked on a thrilling, white knuckle ride to the summit of the English game.
This is a story that has not been told before. It is a time when the impossible was possible, long before the vast millions in broadcast money arrived and the creation of the Premier League changed football in England forever. A time when an astute manager and wily chairman could scour the big clubs for castoffs and achieve the unachievable. It is something that will never be repeated and, in these times of huge salaries and commercial excess, is a tale of harder and yet often-happier times when small clubs could dream big.
In the 30th anniversary year of Royle’s remarkable revolution, it is the perfect time for This Is How It Feels to hit the book shelves.
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£13.20£16.10This Is How It Feels: An English Football Miracle
£13.20£16.10 -
Predictive Methods for Football and Betting Markets
What variables are relevant to predict the future results of a football team?Are there any inefficiencies in the betting markets that can be exploited?
How many games are necessary to correctly measure the level of a team or a footballer?
Is it better to bet on a team that is on a winning streak or is it better to bet on a team that is on a losing streak?
What is the probability that a team that has just been promoted will be relegated in the next few seasons?
What is the optimal size and composition of a team squad?
How are the best and worst clubs different?
What are the best bookmakers?
In this book the reader will find the answer to these and many other questions about the beautiful game, thanks to data mining techniques applied to a historical database of more than 200,000 football matches and a statistical approach explained in an easily accesible style.
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£7.60 -
Charlton Athletic On This Day: History, Facts & Figures from Every Day of the Year
Charlton Athletic On This Day revisits all the most magical and memorable moments from the club’s rollercoaster past, mixing in a maelstrom of quirky anecdotes and legendary characters to produce an irresistibly dippable Addicks diary – with an entry for every day of the year. From the club’s formation in 1905 through to the Premier League era, the red-and-white faithful have witnessed record-breaking dramas unfold: the greatest ever recovery in a league match; the first rise from the old Division Three to the old Division One, eventually finishing runners-up; the first ever substitute used; the first retention of a top-tier spot via the playoffs – plus an all-time Wembley classic. Timeless greats such as Derek Hales, Scott Parker, Jimmy Seed, Clive Mendonca, Sam Bartram and Eddie Firmani all loom larger than life in a history capped by a groundbreaking groundshare exile, and a glorious return to The Valley.Read more
£6.60£9.50 -
Fight Or Flight: Irish Sports Book Award 2021 Winner
★Irish Sports Book Award 2021 Winner!★
Fight Or Flight: My Life, My Choices is the autobiography of Irish rugby legend Keith Earls. Keith Earls started out in senior rugby as a teenage star and during the course of his long career has become one of the most admired and respected players of his generation.
A British & Irish Lion at the age of 21, he is now closing in on his 34th birthday and still playing at the top of his game. He has won 93 caps for Ireland and played over 180 games in the famous red of Munster. He started every match of the 2018 Six Nations campaign that culminated in an Irish Grand Slam victory.
A lethal finisher blessed with a sprinter’s speed, Earls is the second-highest try scorer of all time for his country. With Munster he is one try short of the all-time total and looks set to break that record next season.
Yet, Earls has achieved these milestones whilst being racked by private battles with his mental health for most of his career. A number of crises brought him to the brink of voluntary retirement from the game.
A native of Limerick city, Earls grew up in one of its most socially disadvantaged housing estates. Moyross was blighted by crime and violence and he did not escape unscathed from the surrounding fear and trauma visited upon his beloved community. His natural talent brought him into the privileged bastion of elite rugby union.
His autobiography tells the story of his long struggle to reconcile the world whence he came with the world opened up by his brilliance with an oval ball. Earls has maintained a low profile throughout his career. For the first time he will talk in depth and at length about the inner turmoil that went unseen by team-mates, friends and fans. It is a confessional, intimate and courageous story of the pain that was a constant companion to the glory.
Earls says: “It’s not me at all to be doing anything remotely like an autobiography. I don’t like talking about myself, I don’t like bringing attention to myself. And I guess that’s one reason why I am doing it. We’re supposed to get out of our comfort zone. I’ve learned enough along the way to know that much. It’s where your progress and growth happens. I hope if I can share some of my life experiences here, it might inspire others.”
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£7.90£8.50 -
Class of 92: Out of Our League
As modern football legends, the Class of 92 need no introduction. Class of 92: Out of Their League, however, opens a dramatic new chapter in the story of former Manchester United greats Gary and Phil Neville, Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs and Nicky Butt, as they take on a new role in each of their lives: owners of semi-professional club Salford City FC.
An enthralling, in-depth account of Salford’s first two years under new ownership, Class of 92: Out of Their League combines first-hand accounts from Gary, Phil, Paul, Ryan and Nicky as they try to turn round the club’s fortunes, along with a wider story of tremendous athletic and human drama. Featuring colourful characters like managers Anthony Johnson and Bernard Morley, star players, club chairman Karen Baird, lifelong fans, and more, this is a story told with real authenticity and grit. Accompanying the second series of the hugely popular BBC series, Class of 92: Out of Their League is both a testament to the best of modern football and a brilliant reminder, in an era when fans are threatening walkouts over rising ticket prices, of what football is really all about.
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£2.80 -
The Utilita Football Yearbook 2023-2024
‘The definitive chronicle of changing times for so many who love the sport’ Ian Herbert, Daily Mail
‘The Yearbook stands for authority and integrity’ Martin Tyler
‘The first reference book you should turn to’ Daily Telegraph
The Utilita Football Yearbook 2023-2024 is the market-leading book of football statistics, featuring everything you need to know about domestic and international football.
Since its first appearance in 1970, The Football Yearbook has heralded the start of each new season and served as the sport’s book of record, faithfully chronicling decades of both tradition and evolution.
Now in its 54th year of publication, the Yearbook celebrates that legacy and undertakes to do what it always does – to meticulously record the season just gone and look forward to the season about to start, all within more than a thousand pages of pure footballing facts and figures.
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£22.80£28.50The Utilita Football Yearbook 2023-2024
£22.80£28.50 -
Football Word Search For Kids: Premier League 2022 – 23
2022/23 Premier League Word Search for Football Mad Kids.
Up to date word search book for the 2022/23Premier League season. All the players, teams and managers in the Premier League.- Perfect gift for a football mad kid
- 50 Brain Teasing Puzzles
- All the squad players and all the teams from the 2022/23 season
- Excellent for long journeys or holidays
- A good sized book and large print for ease of reading
The word searches are not too difficult but not too easy for children, and the answers are in the back. A must buy for any young word search or football fan and makes a perfect birthday gift or stocking filler.
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£4.70 -
Arsenal Scrapbook: A Backpass Through History
The Arsenal Scrapbook provides an insight into the unique journey of Arsenal one the most famous football club’s in the world. Follow the authoritative text charting a nostalgia-packed journey through the club’s evolution from its beginnings as a south London munitions factory team right through to the mighty Gunners and their ascent to the top of English football whilst having on their books some of the most talented players ever seen. With player career retrospectives and in depth statistical information together with a focus on the managers who have guided the club, including a special feature on Arsene Wenger. The Arsenal Scrapbook looks at the special moments in Arsenal’s history using rare photographs, memorabilia, programmes and tickets from the biggest matches in the club’s history.Read more
£17.20£20.00Arsenal Scrapbook: A Backpass Through History
£17.20£20.00 -
Ronaldo (Classic Football Heroes – Limited International Edition)
Complete your collection with these limited Classic Football Heroes International editions – now with a bonus World Cup chapter!This is the rollercoaster story of how Ronaldo grew up to become a superstar striker for Brazil, Barcelona and Real Madrid. Struck down by illness on the day of the 1998 World Cup final, he showed world-class skill and determination to come back four years later and single-handedly destroy Germany in the 2002 final to prove, once and for all, that he was one of the greatest strikers ever.
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£6.00£6.60 -
The Beautiful Game – The Most Amazing Football Stories of All Time
Do you think you know everything there is to know about football?
Have you heard of:
- The referee who lost his teeth mid-game?
- The player who got injured playing scrabble?
- The ladies who changed a nation?
- The one-armed goalkeeper?
- The game of three halves?
- The World Cup team that smuggled Rohypnol onto the pitch?
- The craziest superstitions in the sport?
- The seagull that scored a goal?
DISCOVER THE STORIES OF SOME OF FOOTBALL’S MOST ICONIC MOMENTS – From the heart-warming story of a player whose dying daughter asked him to leave the cancer ward to play in a European final, to the hilarious tale of a national team almost getting arrested for misunderstanding a word in English.
Whether you’re a die-hard football fan or just enjoy a good story, The Beautiful Game is sure to keep you entertained. From Maradona’s hand goal to Zidane’s headbutt, and a lot more lesser-known stories in between, there’s something for everyone in this book.
With 90 fascinating stories, you’ll relive the most humorous and inspirational anecdotes to have come out from the Beautiful Game, and in the process you will learn more about the sport than you ever thought!
So, if you’re prepared to be left in awe by some of the craziest tales to have emerged from the sport, scroll up and click the Add to Cart button.
NB: This book is aimed at adults (and children 12+). For a version that caters to readers under 12 years old, please look at the author’s “The Most Amazing Football Stories For Kids”
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£10.40£11.40 -
No Spin: My Autobiography
‘My story, without the spin.’
From the start of his glittering career in 1992, to his official retirement from all formats of the game in 2013, Shane Warne had long desired to tell his incredible story without compromise. No Spin is that very story. It offers a compelling intimate voice, true insight and a pitch-side seat to one of cricket’s finest eras, making this one of the ultimate must-have sports autobiographies.
Shane was not only one of the greatest cricket legends: he was as close as the game had since Botham to a maverick genius on the field and a true rebel spirit off it, who always gave audiences what they wanted. Despite being the talismanic thorn in England’s side for nearly two decades of regular Ashes defeats, he was also much loved in the UK where he played cricket for Hampshire. He was also a much-admired figure in India and South Africa.
Alongside his mesmerising genius as a bowler, Shane was often a controversial figure, and in this book he talks with brutal honesty about some of the most challenging times in his life as a player. Honest, thoughtful, fearless and loved by millions, Shane was always his own man and this book is a testament to his brilliant career.
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£9.50 -
Football Designer Colouring Book for Kids: Football Jersey Activity Book for Children to Design and Colour Their Own Football Shirts and Equipment.
WHISTLE’S BLOWING – TIME TO PLAY! Looking for creative, unique and fun FOOTBALL GIFTS FOR BOYS OR GIRLS? Unleash creativity with this ultimate football colouring book with over 60 illustrations and create your own football equipment!
We specialize in providing the best possible football books for boys and girls who love football. The book has a ton of creative and engaging illustrations that will keep your child happy and engaged for hours!
Transform game-time excitement into hands-on creativity and watch your child craft their own football universe. They can design their own football jerseys or they can design it for their favorite football player like Joshua Kimmich ,Manuel Neuer, Ronaldo, Messi etc.
WHY IS THIS FOOTBALL COLOURING BOOK FOR KIDS A MUST-HAVE?
- EXPLORE & IMAGINE: Over 60 captivating pages await, where children can visualize being part of big-league teams like FC Bayern, Borussia Dortmund, RB Leipzig and much more!
- IDEAL FOR BOYS AND GIRLS AGES 6-12: Whether your child is taking their first steps into the world of football or already immersed in its thrills, this book is the perfect match.
- EDUCATIONAL & FUN OFF-SCREEN ACTIVITY: Hours and hours of fun to enhance their concentration and creativity. Perfect as a car ride activity book for kids or a relaxing evening pastime.
- GREAT CHRISTMAS STOCKING FILLERS GIFT FOR KIDS: Looking for unique Christmas gifts for kids or a birthday football gift for boys that combines their love for art and football? Search no more. Present them with this fun gift and watch their eyes light up with joy.
.Let your child’s imagination run wild on the field of creativity, buy the book today!
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£8.40 -
Football Activity Book: Extra Time: For Kids Aged 6-12 (Football Activity Books For Kids Aged 6-12)
Did you buy the original and bestselling Football Activity Book? Here is book 2 in the bestselling series: Football Activity Book Extra Time: bursting with all new and even more fantastically-fun football themed activities for kids! Created for boys and girls who love football by education expert and football fan, The Future Teacher, this fantastically-fun football activity book will keep any football-mad kid busy, happy and entertained for hours with a wide variety of football themed fun.- Suitable for supporters of any team and specially designed for both boys and girls to enjoy
- Hours of new, fun football activities with colouring, games, word searches, puzzles, brain games, doodling and cool creative activities designed for kids aged 6-12
- All pages and pictures designed by an education expert to be lots of fun and suitable for a wide age range
- Clear instructions and kind, encouraging words to help children who need a bit more guidance
- Original and unique book with a wide variety of activities and perfect for football-mad parents or guardians to join in with if they want!
- Single-sided designs to minimise colour bleed through
If a child you know and love, enjoyed the first Football Activity Book, or if you are just looking for a super fun and action packed activity book for a kid who loves football (which also has some even greater amazing secret educational benefits) then Football Activity Book Extra Time is the perfect book for you.
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£5.70 -
Football’s Braveheart: The Authorised Biography of Dave Mackay
Football’s Braveheart is the riveting life story of Dave Mackay, the fearless, skilled, heroic and barrel-chested left-half who was an icon for Spurs, Hearts, Derby and Scotland. Off the field, Dave was a humble, fair-minded, sociable man. On it, he was an out-and-out winner, a warrior and inspiration with consummate ball skills and intelligence. The heartbeat of Spurs’ double-winning side of 1961, he came back after two broken legs to add to a glittering trophy collection started at Hearts. After his playing career, Mackay distinguished himself as a title-winning manager with Derby County. A legends’ legend, he was lauded by George Best as the hardest and bravest opponent he ever faced. Fabled managers Bill Nicholson (Spurs) and Brian Clough (Derby) hailed him as their best signing, and other admirers included Jimmy Greaves, Denis Law and Sir Alex Ferguson. Author Mike Donovan has gained exclusive, first-hand insights from those who knew Mackay best to bring you the definitive story of a man who made an indelible mark on football.Read more
£10.60£19.00 -
The Utilita Football Yearbook 2022-2023
‘It’s been the basis of my work since 1971. It’s the internet between covers’ John Motson
‘The definitive chronicle of changing times for so many who love the sport’ Ian Herbert, Daily Mail
‘The Yearbook stands for authority and integrity’ Martin Tyler
‘The first reference book you should turn to’ Daily Telegraph
The Utilita Football Yearbook 2022-2023 is the market-leading book of football statistics, featuring everything you need to know about domestic and international football.
Since its first appearance in 1970, The Football Yearbook has heralded the start of each new season and served as the sport’s book of record, faithfully chronicling decades of both tradition and evolution.
Now in its 53rd year of publication, the Yearbook celebrates that legacy and undertakes to do what it always does – to meticulously record the season just gone and look forward to the season about to start, all within more than a thousand pages of pure footballing facts and figures.
Read more
£23.80£28.50The Utilita Football Yearbook 2022-2023
£23.80£28.50
