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The Derbyless City uncovers the hidden world of Berlin football, exploring its full depth far beyond the bright lights of the Bundesliga. Drawing on years of first-hand experience and his own photography, Damiano Benzoni guides readers from the grandeur of the Olympiastadion to the intimate terraces of the Alte Försterei, weaving through smoky pubs, kebab shops, quirky grassroots pitches and the many clubs that complete the city’s vast football tapestry beyond Hertha and Union. Through reportage, social observation, research and personal anecdotes, the book paints a portrait of an international city in perpetual flux, shaped by migration and by its fractured history. The result is an exploration of why a city with such a vivid football culture remains ‘derbyless’ at the top level, even as it continues to pulse with identity, contradictions, history and community.

Today, La Boca teems with tourists, drawn like moths to a flame for the sizzling steaks, street theatre and brightly painted pastel-coloured homes. On matchday the noise from the barrio's most famous landmark, the unique La Bombonera stadium - home of Boca Juniors - reverberates around the working-class neighbourhood. The cathedral of world football has provided the canvas for some of the sport's greatest artists to create their masterpieces. Diego Maradona, arguably the greatest-ever exponent of the beautiful game, Juan Roman Riquelme, the last number ten, and Carlos Tevez are just three of the legends to wear the iconic shirt. Blue & Gold Passion chronicles the history of the famous Buenos Aires institution, from its foundation by five Italian immigrants in 1905 to the 2018 Copa Libertadores clash with arch-rivals River Plate, which made worldwide headlines. All the glory, the idols, the trophies, the highs and lows are covered in this first comprehensive English-language celebration of one of the world's greatest football clubs.

A celebration of the late 1980s and 90s, when Italian football dominated Europe. This book is a must-read for anyone who experienced Italian football through Channel 4’s groundbreaking 1990s coverage.It was an era when ten different Italian teams played in major European finals, when the greatest players strutted their stuff in Italy’s stadiums, cheered on by colourful fans with flares and tifos. Inside you’ll read about:The effect the Heysel disaster had on European football, including Italian football’s relative weakness before HeyselThe turbulent times of Maradona at Napoli, including his and Italy’s experiences at Italia ’90The influx of foreign talent into Italian football, including the Dutch trio as part of Sacchi’s Milan revolution and three Germans at InterThe dominance of Italian clubs in Europe, including the likes of Sampdoria, Torino, Roma, Fiorentina, Lazio and Parma alongside Napoli, Milan, Inter and JuventusThe record of English imports into Italy, with a chapter dedicated to Gascoigne’s adventure at Lazio and Channel 4 coverageItaly’s amazing journey through the USA ’94 World Cup, including Baggio’s ups and downsThe end of Italian dominance and the fall of several clubsThis evocative book will take those who remember the era on a nostalgic journey through Italian splendour, while those who don’t will wish they had been there. It was a time when Italian football was the ultimate in cool.

Liverpool FC Cult Heroes is devoted to 20 players who, over the years, have won a special place in the hearts of the Anfield faithful - not necessarily the greatest footballers, but a unique brotherhood of mavericks and stalwarts, local lads and big signings. The cast list alone is enough to stir up memories and tug at the heartstrings of any Reds fan - Elisha Scott, Billy Liddell and Joey Jones, Craig Johnston, Jamie Carragher and Luis Suarez - recalling how these charismatic personalities ignited passion on the terraces. Find out which Red icon was left at a motorway service-station as a prank. Which striker was involved in a punch-up with Italian waiters after a European Cup semi in Milan. And which skipper was carried through Lime Street station on the shoulders of fans. Discover and delight in the magical qualities of these 20 mere mortals elevated to cult status by the Red half of Liverpool.

Generazione Wunderteam is the enthralling story of the Austrian national football team of the 1930s, an innovative side that dazzled Viennese crowds and sparked a new-found passion for football both at local and international level. Although the Wunderteam was short-lived, this squad led by Hugo Meisl, one of the most prominent figures in European football, proved hugely influential. Vienna quickly became - along with Budapest and Prague - one of the world's football capitals and the birthplace of some of the greatest players of the era, including Matthias Sindelar, a centre-forward whose fame transcended football, and who was often compared to Mozart and other Viennese celebrities. Sindelar died in suspicious circumstances at age 35, after defying the Nazis. The book takes the reader on a journey through that forgotten era, examining the genesis of Hugo Meisl's side, its key figures, the historical vicissitudes of the inter-war years and the most important Viennese teams of the period.

How much do you really know about the club you love? You can find out by exploring the 1,000 questions set out in 100 categories that make up this Arsenal quiz book. It,s not often that books on football make reference to Ascot races, Fidel Castro, the Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Pink Floyd, Fawlty Towers and Marilyn Monroe, but this one does! Call Yourself a Fan? is a quirky challenging affair for real Arsenal fans who can test themselves or take each other on, with the emphasis on enjoyment and discovery. Try these for size: Which Arsenal goalkeeper topped the county cricket bowling averages? What links the following Arsenal players: Bob John, Alex James, Mel Charles, Charlie George and Thierry Henry? General Custer,s last stand occurred at the Battle of Little Bighorn in 1876. His first two names together produce one of Arsenal,s most popular players, who? You will struggle to find anything as comprehensive as this eclectic collection. It,s a must for Arsenal fans of all ages and you might not see anything quite like it again.

A unique chronicle of the fabled football terraces of South America – and beyond, exploring the behaviour and psyche of the game’s most fanatical supporters.Falling in love with San Lorenzo de Almagro takes the English author on a unique groundhopping journey, from the barrios of Buenos Aires to the souks of Marrakech. Inside you will find:First-hand accounts from the most intense and passionate football culture in the world – from lower-league games in Buenos Aires, to the Copa Libertadores and a Club World Cup final against Real MadridThe thrilling experiences of an Englishman adapting to a new country, learning the local language and becoming part of a notorious Argentine fanbaseAn account of the fortunes of San Lorenzo de Almagro – one of the ‘Big Five’ in Argentina – home and away, including matches across the Argentine capital, the province of Buenos Aires, Rosario, Cordoba, Chile and even MoroccoA compelling study of the San Lorenzo fanatics (recognised by Diego Maradona as Argentina’s most creative), who write the terrace songs that spread across the worldAn exploration of the club’s history of rebellion and conflict with the military dictatorship in the 1970s and 80s, including a clash with the military junta that leaves the club displaced to this dayInterviews with a range of insiders, experts and fans, including the former head of San Lorenzo’s barra brava firm, the leader of the club’s campaign to return to Boedo, an ex-professional player and manager turned San Lorenzo pundit, members of the ‘School of the Terraces’ fan group, plus residents of the famously dangerous slum next to the current stadiumWhen you dig into the richest football culture in the world, the game itself is just one part of the story. Oh, San Lorenzo is a must-read for anyone interested in South American football or unique footballing cultures.

Jimmy Armfield was one of the great figures of English football - captain of the national team before Bobby Moore, member of the 1966 World Cup-winning squad, one-club man with Blackpool. Gentleman Jim went on to enjoy a wonderfully rich life and career as a manager with Leeds United, before becoming a broadcaster of warmth and insight, then consultant with the Football Association and the Professional Footballers' Association. In Pantomime Hero, award-winning football writer and author Ian Ridley tells the remarkable tale of when Armfield took over at Leeds after Brian Clough's ill-fated 44 days and came up with a novel and unique idea to restore the morale of a club in turmoil. Around that amazing tale, Ridley also describes a friendship forged through the bonds of cancer with a giant of a man who was already long established as a national footballing treasure at the time of his death in January 2018. This is the first book in the innovative Football Shorts series.

Joyride is the empowering story of the inspirational, iconic former World Champion Trials Cyclist and pioneering paraplegic, Martyn Ashton. Beginning with his life-altering accident, it follows Martyn as he discovers the power in facing one of the worst things one can imagine and realising he can take it.Including conversations with legendary trials rider Danny MacAskill and others, Joyride explores Martyn's ability to cope with previously unimaginable physical and mental health challenges.Martyn believes we all possess an inner strength that we can call upon when we need it most and shares his strategies for finding that strength. For a man who describes himself as 'unremarkable', Martyn approaches each stage of rehabilitation with remarkable humility, humour and positivity.He blazes a trail as the first paraplegic to get back on two wheels, creates film content that attracts millions of views and is a motivational speaker, TV presenter, husband and father. This is his story... when life turns upside down, ride on...

Mundiales is a sweeping history of the World Cup told exclusively from a South American perspective. From Uruguay’s Olympic triumphs in 1924 and 1928 to the canonisation of Lionel Messi in Qatar, Tim Vickery and Mark Biram reframe football’s greatest spectacle around the continent that gave it myth, tragedy and glory. This book blends footballing drama with political context and cultural identity, showing how South America not only hosted and won the World Cup but also went a long way (perhaps more than any other continent) towards shaping it into the epic it is today. Drawing on decades of immersion and lived experience, together with research using Spanish and Portuguese sources, Mundiales offers fresh perspectives previously unseen in the English language. It is a story of artistry and grit, of style and symbolism, of nations finding themselves through the game. With vivid storytelling and sharp analysis, this is the definitive account of South America’s enduring love affair with the World Cup.

Los Leones: The Unique Story of Athletic Club Bilbao is the first English language book that tells the incredible story of the unique Basque club.Founded in 1898 by British migrant workers and Basque students, Athletic Club grew to become the most successful team in Spain. Along with Real Madrid and Barcelona, Los Leones have never been relegated, despite their self-imposed Basque-only transfer policy, a philosophy that causes intrigue across the footballing world.In an age of globalisation and astronomical transfer fees, Athletic stand apart. The complicated politics of the Basque Country and its strained relationship with Spain fuel the fierce sense of identity, passion and pride that Bilbaínos and Basques possess. The San Mamés stadium, or La Catedral, outshines even the Guggenheim Museum as the most important landmark in this one-club city.Exclusive interviews with former legends, prominent journalists and Athleticzales, provide the historical, political and social context of what makes Athletic so special.

Where the Cool Kids Hung Out is the story of the UEFA Cup''s glory years, when it was a tournament that boasted a stronger field of teams than its senior siblings, the European Cup and the European Cup Winners'' Cup. Since then it has drifted into its poor current form as the Europa League, the Champions League having siphoned off most of Europe''s biggest clubs. Yet the UEFA Cup enjoyed some very stylish years, no more so than during the two-legged final period. It was an era when Ipswich Town swept to glory, Liverpool conditioned themselves to conquer the continent, Tottenham Hotspur twice captured the cup and Dundee United came agonisingly close. It was also a time when Borussia MÖnchengladbach made their name, Real Madrid regenerated as a force and Serie A came to dominate. Drawing on an encyclopaedic knowledge of the tournament plus interviews with players, journalists and fans who lived and loved the competition, Steven Scragg brings you the definitive account of the UEFA Cup''s halcyon days.

Jeff Goulding's Red Odyssey, an epic chronicle of Liverpool FC's history, continues with more tales of drama and joy, heroes and villains, victors and vanquished.In 2020, Klopp's Reds captured the club's first league title in 30 years, completing a remarkable treble of domestic, European and world honours. Jurgen's Last Stand: Red Odyssey IV is the story of what came next, reliving how Jürgen came agonisingly close to a clean sweep of all available honours in 2022 before carrying off a domestic cup double.Goulding treats us to a supporter's-eye view of the drama in Paris, which is emotively contrasted with a glorious homecoming that enveloped the team and the city of Liverpool in a blanket of solidarity and celebration.Finally, as a tired Klopp battles to build Liverpool 2.0, supporters are rocked by his decision to step down at the end of the 2023/24 campaign, before their passionate response propels him and the club through yet another historic season. The Red Odyssey series is the ultimate people's history of one of football's most iconic clubs.

Scouse Supremacy is the gripping story of a pivotal season in Merseyside football. Newly promoted Liverpool – led by master team-builder Tom Watson – surprised many by claiming their second First Division title. Across Stanley Park, influential administrator Will Cuff guided Everton to their first FA Cup triumph. In this compelling book, the campaigns of both clubs are brought to life in vivid detail, meticulously reconstructed from newspaper reports and articles. Discover long-forgotten anecdotes, experience the match-going world of the Edwardian supporter and meet the players who made 1905/06 an unforgettable season. This book transports us to a golden age of football, when the aroma of Bovril and pipe tobacco filled the terraces.

Culture of Kits: The Definitive Guide to Classic Football Shirt Collecting is a fascinating exploration of the booming business behind the growing culture and community surrounding vintage football shirts.The intersection between fashion and football has never been more pronounced, resulting in the market for classic football shirts growing into a multi-million-pound business in the past ten years.Culture of Kits captures the story of the people and companies behind the growth in global collecting who have turned a once-niche pastime into mainstream fashion. Charting the milestones in the community’s rise to societal prominence, it explores the key questions surrounding this growth story. What makes a shirt a classic? What motivates collectors? Is shirt-collecting here to stay or a cyclical fashion trend?Drawing on intel from experts and global collectors, this book lifts the lid on the cultural phenomenon of football shirt fashion and provides the ultimate guide to classic football shirt collecting.

The Dark Side of the Copa Libertadores uncovers the sinister, violent and corrupt goings on that bubble beneath the surface of this famous South American football tournament.By acclaimed Argentine journalist, screenwriter and author Luciano Wernicke, whose books have been published in 30 countries and translated into 18 languages.This gripping book:Delves into the dark side of the most important football club tournament in South AmericaTells of nefarious goings on away from the pitch, including coercion or 'hiring' of referees, threats to rivals and other measures used to gain an unfair edgeReveals the ingenious tricks, traps and ferocious threats used by sports leaders, drug traffickers and political entities to obtain a sporting resultIs brimming with colourful stories and amusing anecdotes: the footballer sent off twice in the same match wearing two different shirts, the priest who scored a winning goal and the brave midfielder who had a mishap in his shorts when he blocked too hardThe Dark Side of the Copa Libertadores charts the successes and miseries, heroes and villains, laughter and tears, screams and silence that have punctuated the tournament since its inception in 1960.

The Beautiful Badge tells the fascinating story behind the UK's football club badges, from 1860s hand-embroidered symbols on home-knitted jerseys to today's multi-million pound brands. The book not only covers hammers, cannon and Liver birds but also reveals the link between Peterhead FC and Viz comic; which TV celebrity designed Aldershot Town FC's badge; and whose GBP10 doodle became the opposition's badge. Some clubs have sported ten or more different badges over the decades, ranging from their town's coat of arms to cartoon insects and initials. Promotion, moving to a new stadium or an owner with controversial views often results in a new badge. The book plots the influence of fashion, technology and fans, and investigates the tensions between clubs and supporters over changes to their beloved badge. Do you know why your club's badge looks the way it does? The Beautiful Badge is essential reading for football enthusiasts, historians, designers and anyone who enjoys putting their feet up in the boot room.

How much do you really know about the game of arrows? Test your knowledge with the ultimate darts quiz book. Packed with 1,000 questions across 100 themed categories and designed for maximum fun and discovery, Call Yourself a Darts Fan? is a lively, quirky book that lets fans challenge themselves – and each other – while having a great time. Uncover little-known facts about today’s biggest stars as well as the legends who helped shape the sport. Whether you’re a casual fan or a die?hard devotee, you’ll be entertained for hours and come away knowing much more about a game that’s bigger than ever, both in the UK and around the world. Call Yourself a Darts Fan? will hit the bullseye for darts lovers of all ages.

A fascinating and beautifully illustrated account of the glorious decade of 1992–2002, when Italian football reigned supreme on the world footballing stage.Follow-up to the William Hill Sports Book of the Year-nominated A Culture of Kits: The Definitive Guide to Classic Shirt Collecting.From the catalyst of World Cup Italia 90 and Paul Gascoigne’s arrival in Italy in 1992, Serie A became the number-one league in the world, with the British public gaining a ringside seat via Channel 4’s legendary weekly coverage.Inside you will find:The captivating stories of the players, clubs and kits that defined one of the most iconic periods in football history and changed the landscape of modern sports programmingA comprehensive chronicle covering everything from Signori to Batistuta, Kappa to Diadora and Fiorentina to JuventusContributions from a diverse set of key television and football-industry figures from the periodFifty eye-catching photos of the greatest Serie A shirts from 1992–2002This stunning book will whisk those who were there straight back to the days of Football Italia – and give those who weren’t a tantalising taste of what they missed.

‘The man’s an animal’ – so a furious John Cleland vented to millions of TV viewers after being punted out of the 1992 British Touring Car Championship season finale. In an instant, touring car racing had become box office. Super Touring: When Touring Cars Ruled the World is the story of the explosion of touring car racing in the 1990s – underpinned by regulations that led to highly competitive racing and spectacular cars – an era of unrivalled public and manufacturer interest in the sport. At the apex was the British Touring Car Championship, which enjoyed a winning combination of big personalities, crash and bash racing and increasingly exotic machinery. Super Touring comprehensively revisits and reappraises a spectacular decade of action, bringing to life the stories of the time, together with new and exclusive interviews with those behind the wheel and in the paddock.

Arsenal FC Minute by Minute takes you on a fantastic journey through the Gunners' matchday history. Relive all the breathtaking goals, heroic penalty saves, sending offs and other memorable moments in this unique by-the-clock guide. From Arsenal's early beginnings to the days of domestic dominance, the book covers everything from the great Herbert Chapman era to the Tom Whittaker glory years, Bertie Mee's exciting side of the late 1960s and early 1970s, George Graham's Gunners teams and Arsene Wenger's 'Invincibles'. Revisit Arsenal's most spectacular modern feats and learn things you didn't know about the club's glorious past. From goals scored in the opening seconds to those last-gasp extra-time winners that have thrilled generations of fans at Highbury, The Emirates and around the world, Arsenal FC Minute by Minute is packed with memorable moments. With goals from Thierry Henry, Ian Wright, Cliff Bastin, Charlie George and hundreds of others - the book is filled with thrilling memories from kick-off through to the final whistle.

Sbornaya takes you on an evocative journey through the Soviet Union’s final decade – politically, economically and culturally unravelling – as seen through the lens of its football world. The book explores the history, politics and geopolitical dimensions of the game: how it began, how it evolved and how it became the country’s greatest sporting passion. It reveals how political machinations and behind-the-scenes manoeuvring disrupted a World Cup squad mid-tournament; how two brilliant scientific minds came together to pioneer technological and scientific breakthroughs at a football club; and the recurring story of the USSR’s underachievement on the world stage despite its vast resources and talent. All of this unfolds under the shadow of a political system that sought to control, manipulate and micro-manage the game at every level. It is a football story like no other.

Spice Up Your Life: Liverpool, the Nineties and Roy Evans is the fascinating story of arguably the most significant decade in the long history of Liverpool FC. After the Reds' most dominant and successful decade in the 1980s, the early 90s saw a rapid decline in the club's fortunes under the stewardship of Liverpool icon Graeme Souness, who was sacked in January 1994. Spice Up Your Life charts the gradual renaissance at Anfield under Souness's replacement and long-term boot-room member Roy Evans, the much-adored 3-5-2 formation, the infamous 'Spice Boys' moniker and the revitalisation of a football club that looked to be in freefall. The book explores the emergence of many of Anfield's youngest and brightest stars - from Steve McManaman to Jamie Redknapp, Robbie Fowler to Michael Owen - and credits Evans, as the last Liverpool manager from the legendary boot room, for bringing the Merseyside club back to prominence and ready to retake its perch at the top of English football.

The rip-roaring story of one of the greatest teams in both Liverpool FC and British football history – a side whose superb style of play Sir Tom Finney believed couldn't be bettered, 'not even in Brazil'.Under the stewardship of 'The King' Kenny Dalglish, Liverpool strode to the league title with a side featuring such legends as John Barnes, Peter Beardsley and John Aldridge, playing a style of football never forgotten by those lucky enough to witness it.This riveting book features:An exciting and immersive account of the legendary 1987/88 Liverpool FC seasonFan recollections of that extraordinary season and teamSkilful storytelling centred around the matches that matteredDetailed descriptions of the season's incredible games, glorious goals and brilliant players, all of whom remain in the hearts of the Kop to this dayA celebration and discussion of the brilliance of Barnes, Beardsley and AldridgeA homage to Kenny Dalglish's masterful role in leading the sideEye-catching photos showcasing many major events from that famous seasonThis book charts the building of that magnificent side – a side that deserves its place, alongside Arsenal's 'Invincibles' and both Manchester treble-winners, as one of the greatest in English football history. A must-read for all Liverpool fans.

Every four years, the planet stops dead for an event like no other. The World Cup captures the global imagination in a way that dwarfs every other sporting competition. Glittering Prize tells the full story of its thrilling century-long arc. Volume I looks back at the tournament's first five decades: its embryonic incarnation in 1930; the stunning fall of champions-elect Brazil at the Maracanã in 1950; the equally sensational demise of Hungary's Magic Magyars four years later in Bern; England's glory in 1966; Brazil's joyful conquest of Italy in 1970; the unfulfilled flowering of the Netherlands' Total Football in 1974; and Argentina's tainted triumph against the backdrop of the Dirty War in 1978. Brimming with incredible detail and magnetic characters such as Ferenc Puskás, Garrincha, Gigi Riva, Johan Cruyff and Daniel Passarella, Glittering Prize is a gripping chronicle of the greatest sporting show on earth.

Every four years, the planet stops dead for an event like no other. The World Cup captures the global imagination in a way that dwarfs every other sporting competition. Glittering Prize tells the full story of its thrilling century-long arc. Volume II focuses on what many consider the tournament's golden era: Paolo Rossi's surprise eruption to fire Italy to victory in Spain in 1982; Diego Maradona's almighty show of will and skill four years later in Mexico; the unforgettable exploits of Totò Schillaci and Roger Milla at Italia 90; the glitzy extravaganza of USA 94; and France's vivid triumph on home soil in 1998. Brimming with fascinating detail and compelling personalities such as Michel Platini, Lothar Matthäus, Roberto Baggio and Zinedine Zidane, Glittering Prize is a riveting chronicle of the greatest sporting show on earth.

Every four years, the planet stops dead for an event like no other. The World Cup captures the global imagination in a way that dwarfs every other sporting competition. Glittering Prize tells the full story of its thrilling century-long arc. Volume II focuses on what many consider the tournament's golden era: Paolo Rossi's surprise eruption to fire Italy to victory in Spain in 1982; Diego Maradona's almighty show of will and skill four years later in Mexico; the unforgettable exploits of Totò Schillaci and Roger Milla at Italia 90; the glitzy extravaganza of USA 94; and France's vivid triumph on home soil in 1998. Brimming with fascinating detail and compelling personalities such as Michel Platini, Lothar Matthäus, Roberto Baggio and Zinedine Zidane, Glittering Prize is a riveting chronicle of the greatest sporting show on earth.

The Man with the Plan: Howard Wilkinson's Leeds United is the extraordinary tale of how Wilkinson revived a football club that had fallen on hard times, and developed the best team in the country.When this master builder became manager of Leeds United in 1988, the team was struggling at the bottom of the Second Division, but a meeting of the minds with chairman Leslie Silver and a ten-year plan for the transformation of the club was hatched. In less than four years, Leeds had won promotion to the top flight, become Football League champions and were back in European competition for the first time in 13 years.It was an extraordinary period in the history of the game: at the start of a new era at home and abroad, with the arrival of the Sky-backed Premier League and UEFA's new-look Champions League. With both came a new level of wealth thanks to ground-breaking television deals. Leeds were once again at the top table of English football. However, Wilkinson was sacked a little over four years after his success, and Leeds collapsed in similarly spectacular fashion.The Man with the Plan provides a fascinating insight into what made Wilkinson so successful (he is still the last Englishman to win the title) and examines his methods and footballing beliefs, while reflecting on an incredible time in the history of Leeds United.

England’s Nadir? is a revealing reassessment of a highly controversial period in the history of the England football team – the three seasons from 1974 to 1977 when Don Revie was at the helm. This has long been considered the worst period in 160 years of the national team. England’s Nadir? places these three years in a broader social context and a longer historical framework, exploring many factors that have previously been overlooked. These include the dominating voices of a small number of the 52 men who played for England under Revie and the endless criticism of Revie’s match preparation through his infamous dossiers. In addition, there was the control of Revie’s work by powerful individuals at the FA and FL, the effect of stress on football managers in the 1970s and the impact of serious injuries to key players. The book examines all 29 matches for which Revie was in charge and all 52 players who appeared for England in that time. There are sections on Revie’s early life, playing career, his successful and controversial period as Leeds United manager and his dramatic resignation from the England post in summer 1977. England’s Nadir? is a must-read for all England fans and anyone interested in 1970s football.