The Rough Diamonds are a close knit-team. Kev their captain makes sure they work hard and play hard. When he thinks the boys are not pulling their weight or external issues are hurting the team his leadership always comes up trumps. This is the second novel in an action-packed series.
In May 1992 Fergies Fledglings won the FA Youth Cup for the first time in a generation, since the era of George Best. Soon, many of the kids from that side were seizing their opportunity in the first team and winning more silverware. They played a key role in United's famous Treble-winning side of 1999 and continue to have an impact on the club. The Class of 92 tells the story of how this group of players came together and learned their trade under Eric Harrison, the youth team manager. It follows their development during 1991-92 as they went on their cup run, and discovers the fascinating story of what happened next to the other members of this illustrious side. Youth Team football is always exciting because of the tantalising prospect of seeing players who might be on the verge of greatness. Such potential was never more completely fulfilled than with the lass of 92. Their story reveals how sometimes dreams really do come true.
Details: Thierry Henry ? gifted, charismatic and a genuinely world class footballer ? has always been a prolific goalscorer of natural, apparently effortless brilliance. Impossibly good on his day, he has passed into Arsenal legend as the hero of a team that finally ended Manchester Uniteds domination, winning two league titles and three FA cups. He was also instrumental in Frances World Cup and European Cup glories in 1998 and 2000 (becoming Frances record goalscorer), and continued his incredibly successful career at Barcelona by winning the treble in his second season. But as he approached the autumn of his career, Thierrys crown began to slip ? from the infamous ?Hand of Gaul? incident to a dismal World Cup 2010 campaign. Suddenly, for the first time, a player who Ars?ne Wenger once dubbed ?the greatest striker ever? was not universally loved and admired. A man who had spent his career at the very top of the game, raised above his peers on a torrent of extraordinary statistics and trophies, began to learn how lonely such a position could be. So who is the real Thierry Henry? Drawing from numerous interviews and impeccable sources, as well as his own observations over the course of Henrys entire career, award-winning author Philippe Auclair has produced the most complete portrait of the Arsenal hero ever to be written. Clear-eyed, lyrical and passionately argued, Thierry Henry: Lonely at the Top is a biographical essay, in the fullest sense of the word ? and as raw, shocking and thought-provoking as it is celebratory of Henrys outstanding flair and talent. Ideal for: Fans and admirers of Thierry Henry and Arsenal Football Club. A fascinating and unusual book, one that may just usher in a new age of football biography. This hardback measures: 24 x 15.8 x 3cm. Pages 336
The Vision Book of Football Records 2012 is a colourful and quirky action-packed gift book, crammed with records, facts, stats and amazing feats from the world's greatest game. The perfect Christmas present for lads, dads and granddads alike, the book includes an entry on every English league team plus all the Scottish SPL clubs. The book features all the top footie nations, the major European and world clubs from Barcelona to Boca Juniors - and a monster squad of current and former football legends.
From TV's best-loved impressionists comes this comic account of one woman's attempt to make a football fan give up football. Alistair McGowan loves football in an insane, almost compulsive way. Living without it would be - well, it wouldn't be living at all. So when Ronni Ancona - his former girlfriend, and hater of all things football - comes up with a plan to wean him off the beautiful game, he is initially stunned, outraged. But soon Alistair starts to discover that there may be life beyond the back pages. In alternating chapters, Ronni and Alistair lead us through a hilarious story of withdrawal in this funny and original take on the age-old battle of the sexes.
Despite its immense wealth, and the high public profile it enjoys, English football is not a land of milk and honey. The national side has won the World Cup only once when England staged the tournament in 1966 and the woeful performances in recent years would suggest that Sir Alf Ramsey's success will retain its unique status. "50 People Who Fouled Up Football" casts a sceptical eye on the game in this country. It looks at the game as it really is, through the gaze of an outsider, who grew up loving the game but who has been turned off by the excesses of players, managers, broadcasters and fans, and increasingly by the rich men who own and run the clubs. The big bang came in 1992, when the Premier League went its own merry way, aided by the millions that Sky television found to ease the passage. Now the game is richer, and can attract the world's leading stars, but it is poorer in spirit. The old football community means little to these Masters of the Universe. The old links between club and community have been ruined, and many players live in a different world, where they feel free to behave as they like. The book names the guilty, who include those on the fringes of the game as well as the ones at the heart of it. Indignant in the right sense, it is a lament for a spoilt game, and a world that has vanished. The 50 People are: Alan Green; Alan Hansen; Alan Hardaker - FA administrator; Alan Sugar; Alf Ramsey; Ashley Cole;. Bill Shankley; Bob Shennan; Charles Hughes;Cristiano Ronaldo; David Baddiel; David and Victoria Beckham; Denis Wise; Derek Hatton; Don Revie; Garry Cook; George Best; George Graham; Golden Generation; Gordon Taylor; Graham Poll; Graham Taylor; Harold Thompson; Hooligans; Hunter Davies; Ian Wright; Joey Barton; John Hall/Freddie Shepherd; Jonathan Barnett & Mel Stein; Jose Mourinho; Ken Bates; Lord Kinnaird; Nick Love; Paul Gascoigne; Paul Ince; Peter Kenyon; Peter Ridsdale; Peter Swales; Piers Morgan; Pini Zahavi; Richard Keys; Richard Scudamore; Robinho; Roman Abramovich; Sam Allardyce; Sepp Blatter; Steve McLaren; Terry Venables; and Tony Banks.
Are you sitting comfortably? Then Jeff will begin.. . The universally-loved, award-winning host of Sky Sports' Soccer Saturday and Channel 4's Countdown, and author of the bestselling Jelleyman's Thrown a Wobbly, returns with a Jackanory-style, football-flavoured narrative which gathers together the funniest, weirdest, most tragic, most heart-warming, under-the-radar stories of the football season. The book is stuffed to the gunnels with behind-the-scenes revelations, opinions and personal anecdotes from Jeff, and has a strong leaning towards the absurdities of both the highest levels and the grass-roots of the game. From the Macclesfield goalkeeper booked for using a golf tee to take his goal kicks, to the unintelligible ranting and raving of South American dictator chairmen. Let Jeff be your trusted guide through the madness of the football season, and let Jeffanory supply you with a veritable treasure trove of great anecdotes to take to the pub.
Alice bands, orange bladed boots and socks worn over the knee. Mansions in Cheshire, WAGs and written-off Ferraris. Referees with headsets, fourth officials, and an incomprehensible amount of stoppage time. There is only so much a true football fan can take, and in Heroes, Hairbands and Hissy Fits, Mark Chapman (aka Chappers) gives full vent to his feelings, as only the host of a football phone-in can. Football phone-ins are on the hitlist too, by the way. It is football as we know it, told from the heart. With his trademark down-to-earth wit, he takes aim at everyone from Sepp Blatter to MOTD, kit designers and replica shirt wearers (don't put your age on the back of the shirt, lads), trophy presentations and tournament draws. From his first footballing memory to watching his son grow up idolising Premier League millionaires, Chappers' book is a timely tirade as well as a love song to the beautiful game.