Pitch Publishing Ltd strana 8 z 8

Former Rangers, Celtic, Spurs and Scotland midfielder Alfie Conn lifts the lid on his playing career with both Old Firm rivals and his time as ''King of White Hart Lane''.When he started at Rangers, Alfie was the teen with magic dust in his boots - the youngest Ranger to play in Europe. Silverware and stardom followed, and his boyish good looks adorned the bedroom walls of girls and boys alike.He was a superhero at Spurs and international honours followed with Scotland, but he shocked the footballing world by hooking up with Jock Stein at Celtic. He became a square peg in a round hole with the Hoops. Loved by his team-mates, but loathed by the supporters he had ''betrayed'' at Ibrox, he was an easy target for the boo boys. A quip at the expense of Celtic legend Billy McNeill ended his spell in green and white.Love him or loathe him, Alfie''s only goal is to set the record straight - by telling the truth about his time on both sides of the Old Firm divide in this revealing book.

Standing Free is the funny, emotional, at times downright bizarre but always enthralling autobiography of 1980s and 90s Aberdeen FC cult hero Theo ten Caat.Written with Nick Brown, author of the widely acclaimed Former Glories and New Beginnings: Aberdeen FC, 2022/23. Theo?s time at Aberdeen was certainly eventful, with the manager who signed him sacked little more than six months after his arrival. Told in Theo?s own words, this is the story not only of his time at Pittodrie but his colorful career in his homeland, too. Which international superstar did Theo almost come to blows with in a so-called friendly match? What was his relationship really like with Willie Miller? Which club owner managed to transfer a player he didn?t even own? Who refused to postpone a game even though one of the players had just died? How does Theo feel about the game today, and how does it compare with his own playing days? All is revealed in this no-punches-pulled chronicle of Theo?s career, both in Scotland and Holland. A must-read for every Aberdeen fan!

Relive the glory years of Aston Villa''s last two major trophy triumphs with this celebration of the Coca-Cola Cup wins of 1994 and 1996.This engrossing book:Takes a deep dive into the 1993/94 Coca-Cola Cup campaign and victory achieved under Ron Atkinson, followed by a second win in 1995/96 under Brian LittleExplores the style of both managers and the culture they instilled and developedExamines the players and squads and how they changed in the 1993?96 period while telling a wider story of the transitionary shift towards modern footballReveals what the cup campaigns tell us about Aston Villa?s transition into the new Premier League worldPlaces the cup wins in a wider context to help the reader to understand Villa?s status and progress since that timeEssential reading for all Aston Villa fans, this is an inspirational tale of a pivotal moment in the club?s modern history.

The Greatest of Great Escapes: Rotherham United’s Finest Hour is the story of one of the most astounding comebacks in modern football.After a meteoric rise through the divisions, Rotherham United were a second-tier side once more. There has never been a dull moment in the Millers’ recent history and another entertaining season was in store.Seemingly destined for the drop on the back of a disastrous start to their 2015/16 league campaign, the Championship strugglers defied all odds. The club went in search of their third manager in the space of a single season after the departures of both Steve Evans and Neil Redfearn. Neil Warnock stepped into the breach to embark on his biggest ask to date in the club’s hour of need. He soon pulled off what was, by his own admission, one of his most celebrated achievements. The Millers came out fighting for their lives to secure survival when all hope appeared to be lost.This book relives the twists and turns that punctuated Rotherham’s resurgence.

Bob Waterhouse uncovers the dark history of Bramley Moore Dock – site of the new Everton FC ground – tracing the historical links between the city of Liverpool and the slave trade.From the author of the widely acclaimed Liverpool Football Club Ruined My Life: Sixty Years of Supporting Everton.The first book to examine the links between slavery and the origins of Everton, this fascinating journey through Merseyside history explores:Everton’s historical links with slavery through some of its earliest patrons and through the Methodist church that founded the clubThe background to the Toffees’ move from Goodison Park to Bramley Moore Dock over a 30-year period, including the failed plans to move both to the King’s Dock and KirkbyThe story of John Bramley Moore’s links to slavery through his ownership of a coffee plantation in Brazil and trade in slave-produced goodsThe port of Liverpool’s rise, fall and subsequent regeneration over an 800-year period, culminating in recent moves to regenerate North Liverpool, including the construction of the new Everton stadiumThe impact of slavery on Liverpool’s wealth and development as Britain’s largest slave port, from the first slave voyage from Liverpool in 1700 to the abolition of slavery in the early 19th centuryThis compelling book is a must for all Everton supporters and anyone with a personal connection to Merseyside.

The Worst-Run Club in the Country is the definitive story of Farhad Moshiri''s six and a half years as the majority shareholder of Everton Football Club.From the moment of his February 2016 arrival, the British-Iranian billionaire set about trying to rouse one of English football''s perennial sleeping giants. No expense was spared in arming managers with substantial transfer budgets while he also sought to right the wrongs of the club''s endless quest for a new stadium to replace their spiritual yet outdated Goodison Park home.But Moshiri''s grand designs unravelled as quickly as they had begun. On and off the pitch, the Toffees soon descended into chaos, with their long-standing Premier League status in repeated jeopardy, the club hit with a record ten-point deduction and division sown within the fanbase by Moshiri''s appointed hierarchy. All this led Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher to declare his boyhood heroes to be ''the worst-run club in the country''.

Mad Dog is the riotous, adventurous and moving story of Mickey Lewis, one of English football''s most combative midfielders and then one of the game''s most inspirational coaches.Drawing on more than 100 hours of interviews and with a foreword from Lewis?s close friend Jim Rosenthal, this is an exploration of what Lewis?s legacy can teach us about leadership, life and the game we love.With a playing career that spanned two decades and 400 games, for his fans Lewis was ?Mad Dog?: tamer of Gascoigne and, ultimately, an Oxford United legend. For Sir Bobby, allegedly, he ruined the beautiful game one tackle at a time.After hanging up his boots, Mickey became one of football?s most inspirational coaches. His great love for the game took him to Iowa and the burgeoning American soccer scene, to Wembley with Oxford United, and to nearly 20 Varsity Matches at the helm of the Oxford University ?Blues?.

Trailblazers: The Groundbreaking History of Nottingham Forest Football Club explores the remarkable pioneering traditions and unique heritage of the Garibaldi Reds.From their earliest days in 1865, the influential Foresters set themselves apart as a club that intended to push boundaries. Throughout their history, there are rich and fascinating examples of the advancements they have made and the innovation they have displayed.Key elements of the game today can be traced back to Nottingham Forest?s progressive tendencies, while the Reds possess a wonderful collection of exceptional achievements and notable ?firsts?. In times of peril or unprecedented glory, Forest can be linked to many groundbreaking feats that spearheaded football?s continuous evolution.Trailblazers charts the path of a truly extraordinary footballing institution that has always aimed to lead the way.

Hellfire Awaits: 150 Years of Redruth RFC is a tale of mud and blood and frequent outbreaks of violence. It?s the story of a rugby club founded in a tough and grimy mining town where the game provided a welcome outlet from the trials and tribulations of daily life for both players and spectators.In the early years the club fought for survival as the mining industry collapsed and young men went abroad in their thousands to find work. But it went on to become Cornwall?s champion club, carving out a reputation for itself across the game of rugby as a whole. It has produced six England internationals and four Lions.Over the years the club has played some of the biggest names in English and Welsh rugby and hosted a number of international sides, including South Africa, Japan, New Zealand and Tonga. Situated in an area that is one of the poorest in the country, it has overcome the disadvantages of geography and limited finances to find success in the professional era.

Darlington FC fan Paul Hodgson pays tribute to 100 of the Quakers? most memorable players from more than half a century of supporting the club.The story begins in the 1972/73 season when Paul?s mother took him to his first game: Southport at home. Darlo were soundly thrashed 7-0, yet the seven-year-old Paul was hooked. It was at this game that he came into contact with his first-ever Quakers hero, goalkeeper Phil Owers, who was followed by many more, the latest two being Jarrett Rivers and Tommy Taylor from the current team.Paul hasn?t just chosen the 100 best players ? some only played a few games for the club ? but each individual made an indelible impression on him. The book profiles players and games from the 1970s, when Darlington had to apply for re-election almost every season, through the 80s, when their fortunes improved, right up to the close of the 2022/23 season.A roller-coaster ride that any lover of football will enjoy, the book is a ?must? for every Darlington fan.

The compelling story of former footballer, coach, manager and director John Sainty. Sainty often operated ?under the radar? but was well respected by the game?s senior figures. Schooled as a player in the 1960s at Tottenham, his coaching ability was spotted at Bournemouth by John Bond, whom he followed to Norwich and Manchester City, where his measured approach proved an ideal foil to the brashness of Bond. In the 1990s, Sainty assisted Danny Bergara and Dave Jones at Stockport before Jones took him to Southampton, where he later became academy director, with the likes of Gareth Bale, Adam Lallana and James Ward-Prowse all passing through his care in their formative years. John had begun working on his autobiography with football writer Neil Vacher before his sudden death in 2023. Determined to do John?s story justice, Neil brought this labor of love to fruition with the help of John?s former colleagues. It?s the story of a man who dedicated his life to football.

Explosive and groundbreaking study of racism in football and its roots from award-winning journalist Ronny Blaschke. Racism in football is reduced to neo-Nazis and monkey chants. But if we want to understand its origins, we have to go back further. Drawing on more than 100 interviews from five different continents, this hard-hitting investigation reveals how: Colonial powers such as Britain and France wanted to ?civilize? their subjects through sport Their racial theory has long since been debunked, yet racist thinking still characterizes European football today Black people are often considered powerful athletes, but rarely get the opportunity to become coaches or board members Colonial thinking still persists in talent scouting, sponsorship and the media Racism is blighting football in Britain, Brazil, Namibia and India among other places At the center of this book are people ? players, fans and activists ? who stand up to racism with courage and grit. In England, black referees are networking to have a stronger voice. In Brazil, reporters are producing a podcast for Afro-Brazilian issues in sport. Above all, the question is: how can racism in football be pushed back?

The inspirational tale of how a determined and devoted group of Chesterfield FC fans saved the club from oblivion after its money was stolen by an errant owner who was jailed for the crime.The fans had a vision to embed the club in the local community for the good of everyone in the town. With encouragement from the local council, they ran the club on a knife-edge for several years, then sold it to a trustworthy new owner, who financed a new era.After many ups and downs, relegation from the Football League came for the first time in Chesterfield?s history. The club was sold to a community trust created by fans, which once again saved the Spireites from going under, and four years later they were back in the Football League.This is the story of how the will and resilience of local fans rescued one of the world?s oldest professional football clubs from probable extinction ? not once but twice.

Every language has its sports-related phrases: in English one communicates through metaphors originating in boxing, horse-racing, cricket and even fencing. Why do Argentinians almost exclusively express themselves through football?Dame Bola takes us on a journey through the many intriguing words, phrases and concepts used by Argentinians not only in their football but also in everyday society. The book explores identity and the inextricable link between football and life. Enjoy a deep dive into the cultural, historical and linguistic context of football terminology and the concepts unique to the Argentinian beautiful – and sometimes not so beautiful – game.