Mat Guy clearly loves the game and that comes through loud and clear in his writing. Another Bloody Sunday is a literary masterpiece, a fun piece to read even IF you are not a fan of football. I’m not sure people like that actually exist, but there is a chance I suppose.
If you buy only one football book this year, this has to be it. You won’t be disappointed. The review below will try to do the title justice, but that is a tough task indeed.
Luath Press is known for producing some great literature and Another Bloody Saturday is certainly continuing that trend.
Guy takes readers on an epic football adventure, traveling to and from the far reaches of the sporting world. It’s a winning recipe for football literature: one part Anthony Bourdain and the Travel Channel, one part ESPN, and one part Hunter Thompson (loved the reference to my favorite author on page 13) and Jack Kerouac. It’s football literature at its best, one told from a very humble and supportive perspective.
The author’s brilliant conversational style works well and propels the story from one locale to another. Guy digs deep into the non-league football world and travels to football “minnows” like Bhutan, Northern Cyprus, and the Faroe Islands.
One things is certain: Guy proves football is truly universal. The sport brings people together and provides a sense of loyalty and belonging, regardless of location. Simply put, it’s called the beautiful game for a reason. Guy avoids the traditional (and tired) adage that football has stopped civil wars (i.e. the Ivory Coast) and can also cause conflict (i.e. The Football War between El Salvador and Honduras).
He focuses on the purity of the game, something that brings great joy to players, coaches, and supporters. It’s something great, a sport that brings people together and heals those that have been victimized or even been part of a tragedy.
You’ll follow the author to the relatively unknown ELF Cup, where sportsmanship reveals the heart of the game. There Guy saw a “beautiful vision of what football can be,” games without intentional fouls, diving, whining, and abuse and intimidation of the referee. The 2006 tournament featured the ultimate underdogs: North Cyprus, Tibet, Greenland, Crimea, Gagauzia, Zanzibar, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan. This proved to be a refreshing journey, actually one of many.
You’ll hear about Tibetan and Bhutanese players that protect the soul of the game, playing the game as it was intended.
You’ll travel to Kent, England to see how one man’s vision of “a little sporting oasis” somehow survived in a world dominated by satellite TV, millionaire players, and billionaire owners. They still play “the Corinthian way,” not influenced by the outside world.
The journey took him to see the magic of women’s football, preseason friendlies, the FA Cup, local leagues, World Cup qualifiers, and just about everything in between. The variety and diversity of the content and the amount of miles traveled are as impressive as the author’s ability to connect with readers. This book is one of great depth, an opportunity for reflection, reconnecting with the past, and developing a better understanding of the present and future.
Guy could have chosen to dive into corruption, match-fixing, and FIFA scandals, but he took the high road. We thank him for that as the game has been surrounded by enough negativity, certainly enough for a lifetime of any true football supporter. It’s the antithesis of many popular titles out there, like Declan Hill’s The Fix and Martin Calladine’s The Ugly Game.
That’s a good thing as we need titles like this. It’s good to have inspiring texts, ones that provide hope in a time that is so turbulent. Guy’s journey inspired him to seek change and make a difference, perhaps it could do the same for you. I’ve certainly considered taking a road trip of my own to rediscover the game. There is something better out there and you may find it thanks to a great writer (and football supporter) named Mat Guy.
