Category Archives: Book Reviews

Review – Pantomime Hero Jimmy Armfield: Memories of the man who lifted Leeds after Brian Clough by Ian Ridley

Posted on May 2, 2023 by ianhaspinall

Pantomime hero is the first book in the Football Shorts series, which is a new collaboration between Pitch Publishing and Ian Ridley’s Floodlit Dreams Company. Journalist and author Ridley provides us with some charming, nostalgic, and heart-warming stories about Jimmy … Continue reading →

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Review – The Game: Player. Pundit. Fan by Micah Richards

Posted on February 23, 2023 by ianhaspinall

The former Manchester City and England defender-turned-broadcaster Micah Richards has produced an upbeat and entertaining read. Richards’ career highlights include winning the FA Cup and the Premier League title, as well as becoming the youngest ever defender to represent England, … Continue reading →

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Review: How To Watch Football – 52 Rules for Understanding the Beautiful Game, On and Off the Pitch by Tifo

Posted on January 5, 2023 by ianhaspinall

This handy football primer, produced by Tifo the YouTube channel, is designed to help everyone understand what is happening both on and off the pitch. From ‘don’t watch the ball’ and ‘why corners are less effective than you think’, to … Continue reading →

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Review: Two Brothers – The Life and Times of Bobby and Jackie Charlton by Jonathan Wilson

Posted on September 15, 2022 by ianhaspinall

‘Two Brothers’ is not only an inspiring story about two of the most famous footballing brothers, but it is also about late twentieth-century English football and the changes that were taking place. Jonathan Wilson traces the incredible lives of Bobby … Continue reading →

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Summer Reading 2022 – The Best Football Books

Posted on July 6, 2022 by ianhaspinall

Here’s my recommendations of the best football books of recent months for reading on the beach or by the pool. Kick off the summer with one of these great reads. Review: Beautiful Bridesmaids Dressed in Oranje – The Unfulfilled Glory … Continue reading →

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Review: Deadline by Erkut Sogut

Posted on June 14, 2022 by ianhaspinall

Agent Erkut Sogut uses his own experiences to delve into the murky world of football agents in the pacey crime thriller ‘Deadline’. Sogut is the founder of the Football Agent Institute, and his clients include Mesut Ozil, Kieran Gibbs and … Continue reading →

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Review: Radical Football – Jurgen Griesbeck and the Story of Football for Good by Steve Fleming

Posted on June 6, 2022 by ianhaspinall

Radical Football is partly a history of the ‘Football for Good’ movement, partly a manifesto for the future of football and partly the autobiography of Jurgen Griesbeck and how he came to become one of football’s great innovators.  The catalyst … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Reviews, Football Book Reviews, Football for Good, Jurgen Griesbeck, Late Tackle magazine, Radical Football, Steve Fleming, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Review: Don Revie – The Biography by Christopher Evans

Posted on March 10, 2022 by ianhaspinall

When football fans talk about the greatest English managers, Don Revie is often excluded. Revie is perhaps the most controversial figure in English football and has never been forgiven for resigning as England manager and moving to the United Arab … Continue reading →

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Review: ’71/’72: Football’s Greatest Season? By Daniel Abrahams

Posted on March 3, 2022 by ianhaspinall

Many people regard the 1971/72 football season as the greatest and Danny Abrahams’ book certainly makes a very strong case. ‘There was a season when the world’s greatest footballers were all on show at British grounds. Best, Keegan, Charlton and … Continue reading →

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Review: More Than a Game – Saving Football from Itself by Mark Gregory

Posted on December 7, 2021 by ianhaspinall

Formerly Ernst & Young’s Chief Economist and Stoke City supporter Mark Gregory has produced a timely and in-depth analysis of why the English game requires radical reform and how it can be changed for the better. He was recently called … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Reviews, Football Book Reviews, Late Tackle magazine, Mark Gregory, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment