Hearts: The Golden Years by Tom Purdie is like taking a trip back in time, a time when Scottish football was in its prime. A time when Celtic and Rangers were joined at the top by the likes of Hearts of Midlothian, Patrick Thistle, Motherwell, and Hibernian. The 1950s and 1960s were truly golden years for the country and its clubs, a time that appears to be so far away today. Today Rangers finds life in the lower leagues
Fox Soccer’s highly acclaimed BEING: LIVERPOOL has made the Reds America’s team. All it took was a North American tour, a friendly trip to Fenway Park, and a little time on network TV. Many characters shined in this one-of-a-kind series, but none brighter than keeper Pepe Reina. He was a leader in the locker room, on the pitch, and in training. But most importantly he was a skillful player deserving of the title “world’s best.” If you liked BEING: LIVERPOOL, you will absolutely love
It is really hard to describe how great Football Manager 2013 is, but I think I’ve found it. It’s like getting like getting signed by Man U from your Sunday pub league or getting Wayne Rooney to coach your kid’s rec team. It’s the best, hands down. FM 2013 is a supporter’s dream. It is the ultimate platform for fulfilling your dreams of running a real-life football club. It allows the everyman to get away from the ordinary and attempt the extraordinary
People throw around the term “supporter” a lot. But I am not sure that people really understand what that word means. I think Liverpool legend Bill Shankly got it right when he said,”Some people believe football is a matter of life and death, I am very disappointed with that attitude. I can assure you it is much, much more important than that.” In other words, the game of football gives supporters a purpose and it is a commitment that lasts a lifetime. It is more
Getting a behind the scenes look at the English Premier League is a special thing. But when you get that look from someone who worked their way up from non-league football, it is priceless. Ashley Williams: My Premier League Diary is truly a journey of excitement and expectation, tragedy and disappointment, and the world’s best football. You see it through the eyes of Swansea and Wales captain Ashley Williams, one of the best defenders in the EPL. The
Javier Hernandez, better known to the footballing world as “Chicharito,” is literally the next big thing. The humble, but talented youngster made waves for CD Guadalajara before a dream signing at Manchester United years later. To go from the best team in Mexico’s First Division to the world’s best league was a jump, a move Hernandez spent his whole life preparing for. Chicharito by Frank Worrall is a great piece of sportswriting, one that uncovers a superstar in the making. Worrall tells the story
Cover Art Courtesy of Y Lolfa Following the history of Welsh football is like riding a roller coaster. Lots of highs and lows, ups and downs. And the fact you never really know what is coming up next. Ryan Giggs, Gareth Bale, and Ashley Williams represent the modern Welsh footballers, but there were many that blazed the trail before them. This is their story. Red Dragons: The Story of Welsh Football by Phil Stead is the definitive history of a football nation defined
Shadow of the Knight: Football’s Life After Sir Alex Ferguson by Paul Smith is the definitive history of everything Sir Alex. From an illustrious playing career to becoming the greatest club manager of all-time, this book covers every step of his life. You will find information in this text that is available nowhere else. That makes it a must for all Manchester United supporters. What makes this text different is is the focus on Ferguson’s man-management style, something that has numerous people mentioned as his successor
Moving the Goalposts by Rob Jovanovic is international football’s answer to Moneyball. I have to admit I was a bit skeptical when I heard that the book centered around statistics, but it is an absolutely great read for a whole lot of reasons. Jovanovic takes on many footballing myths, using stats to render them useless or reveal bits of truth. Yes, it is best to go first in a penalty shootout, especially if you convert the first kick. Yes, stats show
