Greatness comes from humble beginnings. That certainly is the case with Rangers captain Lee McCulloch. He started off as a hard-working youth that exceeded expectations and ended with as a captain for one of the world’s most famous clubs, a team he supported his entire life. It is a lengthy journey that included time with Motherwell, the Scottish National Team, EPL side Wigan Athletic, and of course Rangers. Simp-Lee the Best: My Autobiography by Lee McCulloch is a footballing treasure.
The titles of Luca Caioli’s books are simple, but the content is extraordinary. Ronaldo and Messi are his newest projects; both are fascinating journeys into the life of global footballing superstars. Reading them back-to-back gave us a bit of a different, yet enhanced experience. Ronaldo is a flashy superstar who puts forth a passionate and sometimes controversial persona, while Messi’s humble nature makes you appreciate his awe-inspiring talent even more. These titles dive into the lives of two international stars, starting with simple beginnings
The FA Cup Miscellany by Michael Keane is an absolute treat for English football fans. The FA Cup is something special and so is this book. They both have a incredibly charming quality. The book has a little bit of everything put together in no certain order, while any team can win the FA Cup. You hear about the first edition in the 1871/72 season where only a few of the original 15 teams are even recognizable today. You’ll
The Stupid Footballer is Dead by Paul McVeigh is a unique title. It dives into a new topic, the psychology surrounding the beautiful game. The book suggests that the game has changed and the footballer has changed with it. McVeigh breaks this argument down, showing how talent is just not enough and that the mental side of the game is paramount. The best part of the book is McVeigh’s discussion of role models, players who have had great success because of their
Standing on the Shoulders of Giants: A Cultural Analysis of Manchester United by Søren Frank stands out as a great Manchester United book. Yes, Man U’s global popularity has led to dozens of books every year, but this one is just a bit different. First things first, you don’t have to be a Manchester United supporter to enjoy this one. It certainly wouldn’t hurt, but this is a football book for football fans. Second, it covers the entire history of the club
Mark Metcalf’s The Origins of the Football League is one of the most fascinating soccer books I have ever read. Metcalf’s diligent research gives us a firsthand look into the first season of England’s Football League, something that truly revolutionized the sport of soccer. You hear about the challenges faced by those early footballers and the journalists that followed them. Uneven pitches, sketchy weather, unforgiving equipment, pitch invasions, uncertain referees, the list goes on and on. But
Soccer in Sun and Shadow by Eduardo Galeano is a literary journey into the beautiful game. It explores the good, the bad, and the ugly of the world’s favorite pastime. It is a comprehensive and enjoyable history of the sport, dating back to the days when soccer wasn’t called soccer and it didn’t even look like the modern game. This updated version includes several new chapters and revisions, including a discussion of the 2010 World Cup. The book
Manchester United is one of the world’s biggest sporting brands, a brand valued at over $3.17 billion by Forbes. No wonder there are dozens of books written about the storied club each and every year. However, Manchester United: Rising from the Wreckage 1958-68 by Ian McCartney is a special title, offering something different and something unique. It focuses on the events leading up to and after the tragic Munich crash, an event that tested every person associated with Man U.
Keith Hackett is a former international referee and now General Manager of the Professional Game Match Officials Ltd (PGMOL) – the referee’s governing body and is the Referee Ambassador for the FA, Premier League, and UEFA. 1. What is the most controversial refereeing decision of all-time? There have of course been many controversial decisions over the years. Clive Thomas blowing the whistle for full time whilst the ball was entering the penalty area and a Brazil player scoring a goal that was disallowed. Thomas never
