English Soccer

Did Francis Jeffers ever keep you awake at night? Did you slap yourself in the face each time you witnessed an Eric Djemba-Djemba attack-splitting pass? Did Titus Bramble cause you to eat your match program in frustration? Then this is the book you've been waiting for.

The World Cup is the largest sports event outside the summer Olympics: the progress of the 32 countries which qualify for the finals is watched by billions all over the globe. Since the very first World Cup in Uruguay in 1930, there have been 18 finals, held every four years (with a 12-year break over the World War II period). The World Cup in South Africa will be the 19th. Brian Glanville, the distinguished journalist and World Cup historian, has written a fascinating history of the event.

Thou Shall Not Pass (the title comes from a command England captain Terry Butcher would shout before every match) celebrates the football position where brutal characters are loved for their hard-hitting tackles and bruising mentality and yet laughed at for their apparent lack of skill. As well as covering the long and illustrious history of the centre-half, the book will take the listener into the muddy penalty area frequented by our protagonists, into their domain.

Stuart Pearce became the face of England's bid to win the 1996 European Championships when his maniacal explosion of joy and relief at scoring a penalty in the quarter-final shootout against Spain captured the mood of a nation. England did not win the tournament, but, against a backdrop of the 'Three Lions' song that played from every pub, every bar, every car radio and every open window in that summer, it cemented the renaissance of the game in this country.

As Alan recounts tales from his extraordinary life, he relives the sporting occasions, radio broadcasts and famously long drinking sessions that have defined his career. He takes listeners inside the talkSPORT studio for a behind-the-scenes view of his most memorable interviews and talks for the first time about the on-pitch rivalries and dressing-room debriefs of his footballing career.

The exciting story of one of the fastest growing sports in the world, played by over 30 million girls and women. Over 25 million people tuned in for the Americans' 2015 Women's World Cup final victory - the most-watched football match in United States history. The Making of the Women's World Cup details the most incredible tales from previous Women's World Cups.

Packed full of hilarious anecdotes, Razor gives us his take on the beautiful game, sharing his tactics (good banter is a defender's duty), red mist (and red cards) on the pitch, run-ins with the FA and his theory as to why Ingerland never does as well as we'd like, as well as his best ever goal and the greatest night of his sporting life.

Born out the docks in the Victorian East End, Millwall and West Ham United's rivalry precedes the formation of both football clubs. The two areas of East London viewed each other with suspicion and discontent—something that only heightened after Millwall's move south of the River Thames in 1910.

Discover the stories of some of football's most iconic moments. From the heartwarming story of a player whose dying daughter asked him to leave the cancer ward to play in a European final to the hilarious tale of a national team almost getting arrested for misunderstanding a word in English. Whether you're a die-hard football fan or just enjoy a good story, The Beautiful Game is sure to keep you entertained. From Maradona's hand goal to Zidane's headbutt and a whole lot of lesser-known stories in between, there's something for everyone in this book.

The life and times of Don Revie - one of the most complex and controversial men ever to grace the game of football. Whenever the greatest managers the game has ever produced are mentioned, names like Busby, Shankly, Paisley and Ferguson trip off the tongue. Despite dominating the game in the late 1960s and '70s, there is clearly one name missing: Don Revie, the former Leeds United and England manager.

It is probably truer today than ever that the game is made for dribblers. In order to break down a tough opposition, the need for individual brilliance grows. The superb shot, the defense-splitting pass, the brilliantly worked set piece. And, of course, the individual skills of the dribblerEven if you're a player who believes in the one-touch pass and shot instead of dribbling, you'll gain a lot from this book.

Ella, Georgia and Nikita have learned so much from football that can apply to everyday life. From joining a new squad to stepping up to take a penalty, from getting back up when life (or a footballer) knocks you down to going after your goals. With the true stories of how they got to where they are today and with tons of practical tips, this book will help you embrace who you are, ignite your spark and encourage you go after your dreams (whether that's on or off the pitch).

In Choose to Matter, Julie Foudy, two-time Olympic Gold Medalist and former captain of the US National team, takes you on a journey to discover your authentic self. This book is a roadmap to unleash that courageous you and have you singing your dreams out loud. Along with sharing stories from her playing days and personal experiences, Julie taps into the wisdom of other incredible female leaders.

Each November, about a hundred people with paper poppies pinned to their coats gather around a memorial in Edinburgh. They're there to commemorate the more than a dozen members of the local football team, Heart of Midlothian - almost every member of its starting lineup and many of its backup players - who went to war. A Bigger Field Awaits Us tells the little-known but poignant story of a group of Scottish athletes and their fans who went to war together - and the stories of the few who made it home.

Soccer season is underway, and though Zach and Zoe play on different travel teams, they're on the same team when it comes to solving mysteries. So when a package arrives in the mail addressed to Zach, the twins are surprised to find a soccer jersey identical to the one Zach wears for his team. But Zach's jersey is in his closet - so who does this jersey belong to and why did they send it? It's a soccer secret - and Zach and Zoe are on the case!

In 1967, a 13-year-old girl named Maureen Wilton set the women's world marathon record, running 26.2 miles in 3:15:23. Nicknamed “Little Mo” by her track teammates, Wilton was already a headline-making athlete. But her accomplishment was greeted with controversy and misogynistic accusations of cheating. Wilton receded into the background, left the sport, and kept her achievement secret. This is the story of what happened and how Maureen found her way back to the sport decades later as the mother of a young runner herself.

When Trent Cotchin was handed the reins of Richmond Football Club's team in 2013, he was a 22-year-old star, skilful and fearlessly hard at the ball. Coming off a Brownlow Medal-winning season, he embraced the captaincy and continued his quest to get the most out of himself for the benefit of the club. Yet by the end of 2016, Trent was suffering from serious self-doubt. With nothing to lose and facing down his own fear of failure, Trent put himself on the line in a new way.

I’ve always dreamed of playing professional football, so when the new director of Calverdale Ladies wants to sign me, I should be ecstatic. But renowned billionaire playboy Gabe Rivers doesn’t just want me as his new striker. I need to get to the top because of my talent on the pitch, not in the sack. So I can’t be another prize for Gabe. Even if he is infuriatingly gorgeous.

The press say I’m the wild child of women’s football, and now a tabloid journalist’s blackmailing me. No wonder I needed distraction in the shape of Alex, the men’s team’s new Scottish goalie. It was a one-night stand: fun and done. I don’t do commitment–and he’s old enough to be my dad. But there’s something different about Alex…

Receiving letters by post or via e-mail has always been important to me. Even now I feel slightly disappointed if the postman passes the door without anything for me, even though I know the chances are it will be a bill, a parking fine, a bank statement or a catalogue offering me clothing or garden furniture. The same applies when my inbox is empty save for someone offering a deal on a used car or urging me to change my energy provider.