English Soccer

Dignity and the Pitch is an audiobook about people and about world futball (soccer). It is both philosophical and lighthearted, serious and fun, intense and care free. There are characters based around a lower level futball club who appear in the audiobook and through their experiences a respectful world philosophy is developed. It is easy to listen to but it will make you think.

How unlikely does it seem that a young man of diminutive stature, nicknamed "The Flea," would become the best and most intimidating soccer player in the world? Lionel Messi caught the world's eye as the main force behind what became the powerhouse that is FC Barcelona. He has led them to more titles than they ever earned before and earned himself the Best Player in the World trophy more times than any other player. Few players have ever achieved his speed and agility on the pitch.

In the summer of 1966, Peter Chapman was a naive 18-year-old from the Angel in North London. He was just about to enter the world of work, having flunked his A Levels and recently discovered that he would not be fulfilling his dream of becoming a professional footballer at Leyton Orient. As a young man on the brink of adulthood, he found himself in a country also on the brink of huge change - and about to have one of the most significant sporting successes in its history.

Robbie Rogers knows better than most that keeping secrets can crush you. But for much of his life Robbie lived in paralyzing fear that sharing his big secret would cost him the love of his family and his career as a professional soccer player. So he never told anyone what was destroying his soul, both on and off the field.

In this heartwarming and candid memoir, Tim Howard does something he would never do on a soccer field: he drops his guard. As fiercely protective about his privacy as he is guarding the goal for the US national team and for Everton in the English Premier League, Howard opens up for the first time about how a hyperactive kid from New Jersey with Tourette's syndrome defied the odds to become one of the world’s premier goalkeepers.

Ooh, ah, Ray Parlour! Nicknamed the Romford Pele for his solid but unglamorous image, Ray Parlour is one of the most well-loved Arsenal players of the last few decades. A loyal club servant for over 14 years (1992-2007), he is revered among the Arsenal faithful for his down-to-earth Essex charm, his mischievous sense of humour and his hardworking performances on the pitch.

This is the story of the greatest achievement in the history of international football. After decades of failure, Spain won the European Championship in 2008 and then the World Cup in 2010. At Euro 2012 they became the first team to win three consecutive tournament titles. Graham Hunter was inside the dressing room as the players celebrated after the finals of the World Cup and Euro 2012.

Gang leader Billy Evans has ruled his turf in London for more years than he cares to remember. So long in fact, that even he realizes that things have become a little too easy. So when an old adversary reappears on the scene, Billy sees a golden opportunity to not only reassert his authority, but to have some much needed fun. Yet all is not as it appears, for this new enemy is far more powerful than any Billy has ever had to deal with before, and he's about to discover that he's finally pushed his luck too far.

At last, the most talked about footballer of his generation does his own talking. It's heartfelt, it's raw, it's one hell of a story. Every football fan has an opinion on Rio Ferdinand. He is one of the most gifted footballers the UK has ever produced, twice breaking the British transfer record, but he courts controversy in equal measure. Most famously, he was dropped by England for missing a drugs test, and his subsequent eight-month ban made front-page news.

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.

From its early amateur days played in the Corinthian Spirit, Preston North End's "Invincibles" of 1888 and great players like Stanley Matthews and Pelé, to the Premier League glory days of Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsène Wenger, A History of Football is the story of the dominant teams, memorable occasions, and larger-than-life characters that shaped the game throughout its development. For all lovers of the beautiful game, this is an essential reference to its 150-year history.

Specky comes face to face with a tough, talented player by the name of Derek "Screamer" Johnson. He was responsible for having Specky sent off during a game last season. The two boys become bitter rivals, and when a popular TV show runs a nationwide football contest, Specky is relieved when everyone except Screamer decides to enter.

At Belinda's school, boys play soccer and girls play volleyball. But Belinda wants to play soccer. She's good at it, really good, but she's a girl. Something's got to give.

Messi's exceptional talents have fans and critics alike wondering where his career will take him next. Inside, you will discover where it all started and learn why so many fans love Messi so much. From family to soccer to the future, all you need to know about Lionel Messi is right here, right now, in the most up to date coverage of Lionel Messi's life. This audiobook also includes all of Lionel Messi's statistics.

Sir Bobby Charlton is widely acknowledged as the greatest player ever to wear an England shirt. He won a record number of caps and scored a record number of goals. Here, in the second volume of his bestselling autobiography, Sir Bobby talks in detail about his phenomenal career with England.

Abby Wambach has always pushed the limits of what is possible. Named by Time magazine as one of the most influential people of 2015, the iconic soccer player captured the nation's heart when she led her team to its recent World Cup championship. Admired for her fearlessness and passion, Abby is a vocal advocate for women's rights and equal opportunity, pushing to translate the success of her team to the real world.

In this hilarious reboot of Pride and Prejudice, Megan McKnight is a soccer star with Olympic dreams. When her Southern belle mother secretly enters her as a debutante for the 2016 deb season in their hometown of Dallas, she's furious - and has no idea what she's in for.

Soccer. No other sport in the world captivates a bigger audience - and no other competition electrifies its fans like the World Cup. Now, just in time for the next World Cup competition, comes a book just for kids, jam-packed with information about each and every World Cup ever played.

Tony's dad wants Tony to be a footy superstar. But Tony's got another talent, one that's more important to him.

"I have always collected football stories like other people collect stamps, and it's great to get this opportunity to stick them in a book." From the best-selling author of Ricky comes this collection of hilarious anecdotes about football, with stories about the stars themselves, the fans, the girlfriends, the managers, in fact every aspect of the beautiful, and occasionally ridiculous, game.