Whats the best FOOTBALL book you have ever read ?

[LlcoolJ]

I like the idea of Bill Bryson writing a book on football hooligans - a lighthearted look at knives, slashing and footstomping along the quaint backwaters of English football. Sadly, Among the Thugs was by Bill Buford.

A lot of faves have been mentioned already, particularly the Garry Nelson two. I'll mention two more - Arthur Hopcraft's The Football Man and David Peace's Damned Utd - a work of fiction that's probably not too far from the truth.

The one I'd like to read and haven't got round to it yet is How Steeple Sinderby Wanderers Won the F.A.Cup ... maybe this year

I'd got really excited about the idea of Bill Bryson writing that book!

As mentioned earlier, Provided You Don't Kiss Me is by far the best football book I've read so far.

Great thread though, going on holiday next week so Amazon is gonna get hammered tomorrow....

 

[Not Andy Naylor]

Dick Tights book for ME

Such a pity that the lawyers made him take out the chapter about the Cup Final cash ...

 

[hans kraay fan club]

The two Nelson books are good - a bit of reality amongst the stories of millionaire footballers.

But by far the best I've ever read (three times in fact) is Dynamo. Astonishing, heart breaking story.

 

[JCL666]

Really enjoyed "Journeyman" by Ben Smith.

 

[Gwylan]

Bill Bryson's father was a sports writer and I imagine he'd do a great job on football. I know from a mutual friend that he was planning a baseball book.

Baseball is mentioned a lot in his books. It's a big part of his book One Summer: America 1927 (another one that I want to get round to reading)

 

[clapham_gull]

too many - and great thread so I can read some more.

enjoyed this:

anyone read this ?

 

[Not Andy Naylor]

too many - and great thread so I can read some more.

enjoyed this:

anyone read this ?

Yes, a good read. Dave 'Beer Monster' McVay is a great guy, who worked for the Times and then the Telegraph, based - as you'd imagine - in the East Midlands. He still does stuff for Backpass, who have also serialised the book. It really is muck 'n' nettles stuff and makes Garry Nelson's books seem like life at Barcelona by comparison.

 

[Not Andy Naylor]

Baseball is mentioned a lot in his books. It's a big part of his book One Summer: America 1927 (another one that I want to get round to reading)

I just finished that about a month ago. As a baseball fan, I'd have liked more on Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig, but that's just me. It's a remarkable feat of research.

 

[Mental Lental]

 

[FatSuperman]

Great thread, have ordered a couple. thanks NSC

 

[AZ Gull]

Really enjoyed "Journeyman" by Ben Smith.

Who is, as I am sure you are aware, the U-15/U-16s head coach at the Albion (and was acting U-18s coach in the latter part of 2014-15 when Simon Rusk was promoted to the U-21s).

 

[W.C.]

Many of my favourites already mentioned.

Remember this being excellent.

 

[CheeseRolls]

This has to be worthy of a mention here.

Garrincha: The Triumph and Tragedy of Brazil's Forgotten Footballing Hero

 

[wellquickwoody]

I like the idea of Bill Bryson writing a book on football hooligans - a lighthearted look at knives, slashing and footstomping along the quaint backwaters of English football. Sadly, Among the Thugs was by Bill Buford.

A lot of faves have been mentioned already, particularly the Garry Nelson two. I'll mention two more - Arthur Hopcraft's The Football Man and David Peace's Damned Utd - a work of fiction that's probably not too far from the truth.

The one I'd like to read and haven't got round to it yet is How Steeple Sinderby Wanderers Won the F.A.Cup ... maybe this year

Oops! Noted, my bad!

 

[BBassic]

Not sure how many people are aware of this but Steve Bruce has written some books himself:

http://thesetpieces.com/features/sweeper-steve-bruce-review/

I kind of want to read one. Kind of.

 

[Behind Enemy Lines]

I really enjoyed "All played Out" by Pete Davies.

It's the story of Italia 90 - from the players and fans point of view, and how English football changed during that World Cup.

I was there in Italy during the Summer of 1990, and the book brought back many memories. What a brilliant World Cup that was.

Loved this. Fever Pitch has to right up there for me too.

 

[Arthur]

I read the first one, and was totally underwhelmed. No names = no interest for me. It was an elongated equivalent of a generic bullshit Sunsport hack story where "a source revealed that....." blah.

Totally agree. Didn't really enjoy either. See there is a Secret Wag one now.

Both of Nelson's and Steve Claridge's are long time favourite's of mine.

I'm probably going to be on my own here but I found both of Nelson's books a bit dull. Claridge's is worth a read.

Really enjoyed "Journeyman" by Ben Smith.

Yeah, worth a read for the bits about Steve Evans alone. Also worrying about how much money sloshes about in the game even further down the pyramid.

anyone read this ?

Yep, not a classic but amazing the lifestyle players lead back then so worth a read.

Another couple of suggestions from me....

Calvin Wade has done a couple of football books. First one he follows the winner from the extra premlim round of the FA cup to the final. Been done to death and plenty of other books about the same but he follows it up the next season doing the same with the FA Trophy.

Hooli books are all much of a much and all pretty crap as a rule of thumb. Eurotrashed by Dougie Brimson is probably one of the better ones.

Another vote for miracle of castel di sangro.

And if you've not read it....Brighton but only at home.

 

[Bakero]

I like the idea of Bill Bryson writing a book on football hooligans - a lighthearted look at knives, slashing and footstomping along the quaint backwaters of English football. Sadly, Among the Thugs was by Bill Buford.

Someone needs to tell Bill Bryson to write it.

I think Soccernomics is the only football I've read. It's a great read.

 

[Napier's Knee]

Anything by Duncan Hamilton is worth readings, especially his one on Clough. His book 'The Footballer Who Could Fly' is wonderful if - like me - you only communicated with your dad through football and have a soft spot for Newcastle (the city).

 

[ManOfSussex]

3 of my favourites: