The relationship between football and writing used to extend little beyond the occasional player autobiography – almost always not actually written by the player, but a sympathetic journalist instead – and the enthusiastic but banal content of Charles Buchan’s Football Monthly. All that started to change at the beginning of the 1990s, around the time British football was undergoing a fundamental change of image brought on by the onset of all-seater stadia and the formation of the Premier League.
When looking for positives from the accelerated commercialisation of football over the past couple of decades, the upturn in the market for books associated with the game can certainly be cited. Football fans under thirty have lived through a period blessed with a wealth of fascinating texts about the game across a broad range of subjects. We should be grateful; it wasn’t always thus.
With that in mind, I present a list of my top ten favourite football books. There are some glaring omissions – All Played Out by Pete Davies and The Glory Game by Hunter Davies, to name but two – but then that is because I haven’t got round to reading so many of the books I want to yet. There will be titles missing here that would be on other people’s lists but this, after all, without wishing to sound too morbid or threatening, is a list of books to read before you die.
Click on the book below to see the Top TEN
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Ever since they took control of West Ham in January 2010, David Gold and David Sullivan have been on mission to acquire the 2012 Olympic Stadium as a new home for the Hammers. With the news coming out this week that even relegation will not thwart the David’s in their mission to see the east London outfit move home, and that Boris Johnson has approved Tottenham’s plans to redevelop White Hart Lane, it seems as if it is inevitable that West Ham will be moving into the Olympic Stadium after the 2012 Games. But don’t West Ham have more pressing matters to deal with at the moment? Namely that they are currently sitting bottom of the table and are 5 points off safety.
People have quite rightly asserted that, even if West Ham do get relegated this season, it isn’t the end of the world because by the time it comes to actually occupying the stadium, they may well be back up in the Premier League. However, I can’t help feeling that in their earnestness to secure the Olympic Stadium, Gold and Sullivan are putting current, footballing, issues on the backburner. The notion of maintaining Avram Grant as manager, almost regardless of results and performances is absurd, and seems to tie in with their plans for the Olympic Stadium.
The Olympic Park Legacy Company are expected to make a decision on the ‘anchor tenants’ by the end of the year and it is seemingly very likely that it will be West Ham. But as the David’s prepare for West Ham’s future life in Stratford, it has been turmoil behind the scenes at Upton Park this week with Zeljko Petrovic leaving his post as assistant manager and Wally Downes being appointed as a defensive coach. At the most basic, footballing level, problems are being ignored, and having described relegation last season as being ‘Armageddon’ for the club, this season the duo don’t seem particularly bothered by the prospect.
Securing West Ham’s long-term financial future is one thing, but this must also tie-in with a short-term plan on the pitch as well, and the West Ham board don’t seem to have any contingency plans for when things go wrong. By the time West Ham are or aren’t announced as the new tenants of the Olympic Stadium, the club may well be in an untenable position in the Premier League, and in securing the Olympic Stadium they may well have also secured their passage to a stint in the second tier of English football.
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The FIWC is heading east to Dubai’s Jumeirah Beach Hotel, providing a luxurious setting for the eighth FIWC Grand Final, taking place from 21-23 May 2012, following Barcelona 2010 and Los Angeles 2011. FIFA and Presenting Partners EA SPORTS™ and PlayStation® will be flying the 24 finalists of the world’s largest online gaming tournament to Dubai for a once in a lifetime experience and the chance to be crowned FIWC champion.
Former FIFA World Cup™ champion Christian Karembeu has today been unveiled as an official FIWC ambassador and will be keeping a close eye on proceedings throughout the action-packed three day tournament. Karembeu, part of the Task Force Football 2014 and a member of FIFA’s Technical Study Group who assess the performance of players at FIFA events, will be hoping to test himself against some of the world’s best FIFA 12 players to see how his skills match up off the pitch as well on it.
Whilst the finalists are in Dubai they will get to sample all the city has to offer from indoor skiing to desert tours as well as visiting the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building. Over 1,000,000 gamers from around the globe have competed with EA SPORTS FIFA 12 online via PlayStation®3 and at live qualification events in an effort to claim a seat at the Grand Final.
Karembeu commented, “I am delighted to be a part of this year’s FIWC Grand Final. The tournament gives football fans all over the globe the opportunity to become a real FIFA World Champion. The fact that over 1,000,000 players have taken part in this year’s tournament is astonishing and just goes to show how popular the FIWC is with football fans.”
Eleven gamers from seven different countries have already qualified for the Dubai Grand Final meaning that there are still 14 places up for grabs. Contestants can participate in this year’s FIWC through the ongoing online tournament played on the PLAYSTATION®Network, by registering ‘in-game’ in FIFA12 on their PS3™. For more information on the FIWC, go to: www.fifa.com/fiwc . This year’s Champion will walk away with USD 20,000 and an invitation to attend the FIFA Ballon d’Or 2012.
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Blackburn defender Phil Jones is set to sign for Premier League champions Manchester United.Jones, 19, impressed at the heart of defence for Rovers during the 2010-11 season and has represented his country at Under-19 and Under-21 level.
The fee is expected to be 16 million pounds, with a five-year-deal on the table for Jones in Manchester.
He had been the subject of a war between rivals Liverpool and Manchester United to secure his services, with the Old Trafford outfit said to have beaten off competition from Kenny Dalglish’s side, who were expected to tie up a 20-million-pound deal for Sunderland midfielder Jordan Henderson on Wednesday.
Arsenal and Tottenham were also keen on signing Jones, who is reported to be undergoing a medical on Wednesday, on the same day he is meant to travel to Denmark as a member of the England Under-21 squad for the European Championships, which starts on Saturday.
Jones partners Manchester United’s Chris Smalling as the duo at the back for Stuart Pearce’s side, with the pair likely to become teammates in the coming hours.
The central defender made 26 Premier League appearances for Blackburn in the season just completed, with his campaign interrupted for almost three months with a knee ligament injury.
Tonight Manchester City host bitter rivals Manchester United in what should be a hostile and highly charged Premier League encounter. Manchester United sit three points above their ‘noisy neighbours’ in the table and will be looking for a win to put pressure on Chelsea. For Manchester City, its an opportunity for revenge after last seasons heartbreaking last minute defeats. As well as this, City can’t afford to drop six points behind Manchester United and lose further ground on Chelsea.
We have put together 5 iconic Manchester derbies to remind you of some classic games, before watching the big game this evening. The Manchester derby is never without surprise, and these five games examine the history and the drama that the Manchester derby has offered fans over the years.
Manchester United 0 – 1 Manchester City, April 27, 1974
Dennis Law scored 237 goals for Manchester United but arguably his most famous was his goal for Manchester City that effectively relegated Manchester United. In truth, his goal was irrelevant as Manchester United were already doomed – but this is the way it has gone down in footballing folklaw. The Scot was so distraught he had to be substituted – his back heel goal was his last touch in football. United fans invaded the pitch in a vein attempt to get the match abandoned. It wasn’t, and United were relegated.
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Manchester City 5 – 1 Manchester United, September 23, 1989
Dubbed the ‘Maine Road Massacre,’ Manchester City humiliated Manchester United with stylish attacking football. Manchester United fans will argue that in the 80’s they looked a shadow of the team that dominated the 90’s and Ferguson was still modeling him team. However, that day City were superb and goals from David Oldfield 2, Trevor Morley, Ian Bishop and Andy Hinchcliffe gave Manchester City their superb win.
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Continue to PAGE TWO for 3 more cracking Manchester derbies…
Manchester City 2 – 3 Manchester United, November 7, 1993
Manchester United had just been eliminated from the Champions League after surrendering a two goal lead against Galatasaray. Manchester City raced into a two goal lead and it seemed that United had lost all fight. However, up step Eric Cantona. Manchester City allowed United back into the game after a terrible defensive header, pounced on by Eric Cantona to get United back into the game. A second from Cantona and a last minute Roy Keane strike gave United a famous win.
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Manchester City 4 – 1 Manchester United, March 14, 2004
The first derby at the City of Manchester Stadium and it couldn’t have been sweeter for City. It would be fair to say that City fans never warmed to Robbie Fowler but they forgave his taunting after his performance in the derby. Along with Trevor Sinclair, Jon Macken and Shaun Wright Phillips, Fowler gave one of his best performances for City. Although the scoreline was flattering – but did City fans care?
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Manchester United 4 – 3 Manchester City, September 21, 2009
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The game had an edge as it was Carlos Tevez’s return to Old Trafford, there had been bitter slurs of ‘noisy neighbors’ and the ‘Welcome to Manchester’ poster had riled both Ferguson and United fans alike. One of the most pulsating Manchester derbies in recent years. On show, two quality teams, playing attractive football – a game that should go down as the best Manchester derbies ever. Wayne Rooney gave United the lead, before a mistake by Ben Foster gifted Gareth Barry an equaliser. Fletcher made it 2-1 before Craig Bellamy’s superb equaliser. A second from Fletcher had looked to have given United all three points, but Rio Ferdinand’s mistake gifted Bellamy an equaliser – and it looked like United had thrown away two points on three separate occasions. However, six minutes into the four added minutes allocated, Michael Owen pounced to give United the win, sparking wild celebrations from Sir Alex Ferguson as he danced down the touchline.
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What is your favorite derby game? Comment below and follow me on twitter
Click on image below to see a gallery of Cristiano Ronaldo’s latest lady
Champions League contenders Chelsea and Tottenham have both been warned that a summer move for unsettled Milos Krasic will cost as much as 15.5 million euros.
The Juventus man is clearly out of favour in Turin but the Serb is likely to seek pastures new when the transfer window re-opens at the end of the season.
Krasic who has opted to stick the current Serie A season out despite reported winter window interest from Spurs, will retain his value regardless of a lack of playing time according to the players representative Vlado Borozon.
‘Juventus intend to at least recover the money (15.5 million euros) they spent on signing Milos Krasic’ (TalkSport)
The winger who possesses a canny resemblance to former Old Lady hero Pavel Nedved made his name in Russia with CSKA Moscow with his elusive and technical dribbling skills from the flank.
However, he has struggled to rediscover this form in Italy and most recently appeared for Antonio Conte’s side in a January home draw with Cagliari.
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It remains whether Chelsea will plump for the wide man in what is likely to be a summer of rebuilding at Stamford Bridge. What’s sure is that Krasic will be seeking a permanent transfer following Lazio’s failed bid to take the player on loan in the past.
Jack Wilshere has denied refusing to play for England at the Under-21 European Championship, despite fears his tired body is due an injury.The Arsenal midfielder was a surprise omission from coach Stuart Pearce’s 23-man squad for the tournament, which begins in Denmark on June 11.
Gunners boss Arsene Wenger had openly requested Pearce leave out the talented 19-year-old, who has made 55 appearances for club and country this season and has been named in Fabio Capello’s senior squad for a Euro 2012 qualifier against Switzerland in June.
Arsenal had become concerned by GPS data collated by their sports science department showing a significant dip in Wilshere’s work-rate over the past month.
The evidence suggested the midfielder was close to burning out and putting himself at risk of an injury.
“When they showed me the stats, it didn’t really sink in at first, but it just kept going down, on a downward spiral,” Wilshere told The Mirror.
“It scared me a bit, made me realise (that) as much as I’m 19 and can keep going and keep going, there’s going to be a time when you’re going to hit the wall.”
Wilshere said he repeated these concerns to Pearce in an ‘awkward’ phone conversation last Thursday, prior to the squad’s announcement on Monday.
However, he is adamant he did not request to be omitted and would have gladly represented his nation had Pearce included him.
“When I said I wanted to play for the Under-21s, I meant that,” he said.
“I wasn’t lying. I wanted to play and I still want to play so that’s why there’s frustration.”
“But I think it’s the best thing. Obviously there’s a risk of injury and missing some of next season if I had gone to Denmark.”
“I’m not saying I would definitely have got injured but I want to be 100 percent. I didn’t want to break down next season or going towards the Euros.”
“I am 19 and I have just got into the England team and there have been players like Steven Gerrard injured so I can keep my place in the England team.”
“And with the Euros coming up, it was in everyone’s best interests for me to rest. I think Stuart Pearce agreed with me. He’s been great about it.”
“Even today, if they had announced that I was in the squad, I would have gone. I would never have pulled myself out and said, ‘I’m not going’.”
With the Liverpool nightmare that has been Hicks and Gillett finally at an end, NESV now have the responsibility of rebuilding the football club and help restoring it to its former glories. Mr Henry and co. will be hoping that the Reds season will be kick-started at Anfield tomorrow when they take on Rovers.
This week at FFC we have seen a mixed bag blogs which has included…Rafa 1-0 Roy; PSV star puts Liverpool on alert and £6m is a small price to pay for Liverpool’s Plan B.
Plus we have taken a look at the best Liverpool stories on the Web this week.
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Featured Articles of the week
FAO NESV – Liverpool’s Iconic Moments
Liverpool’s ‘Greatest Foreign XI’ Of Our Time
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Other Liverpool Blogs
Why Liverpool fans need actions not words
Rafa 1 – 0 Roy
PSV star puts Liverpool and Man United on transfer alert
Time for Liverpool FC to address their huge mistake?
Who’s really to blame at Liverpool – Have Your SAY!
£6m is a small price to pay for Liverpool’s Plan B
NESV must respond to transfer speculation with an iron fist
PART ONE – ‘If Premier League Clubs Were Musicians’
The man to restore Liverpool to their former glories?
Who makes YOUR ‘Ultimate Premier League XI’ – You Decide!
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Click on PAGE 2 to see the BEST LIVERPOOL ARTICLES around the Web this week
Best of WEB
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TOP TEN Liverpool Transfer Bargains of All Time – Live4Liverpool
A New Hope – Kopblog
You can’t blame Torres for his current form – This is Anfield
End of an Error – Why Roy Has To Go – Tomkins Times
FOUR Candidates tipped to replace Roy – Live4Liverpool
RAFA BENITEZ: *Gross/Net Spend* figures during the Hicks and Gillett era – Liverpool Kop
Tottenham fans are not convinced by their move for Wilmar Barrios, after reports claimed they have submitted an official bid for the Colombian.According to Di Marzio, Tottenham have submitted an official offer for Boca Juniors midfielder Barrios.The tough tackling Colombian has 10 international caps, and is seen as a possible replacement for Mousa Dembele. The Belgian fan favourite is expected to leave the club this summer.Barrios is an absolute beast in the middle of the park, averaging three tackles and nearly three interceptions per game last season.[brid autoplay=”true” video=”257647″ player=”12034″ title=”Three reasons we love to hate… Brazil and Argentina”]He is not particularly technically gifted though, and fans aren’t completely on board with a move for the 24 year-old.He is certainly still young enough to develop more of an attacking threat, but fans are eyeing up bigger, more expensive moves, with Tanguy Ndombele and Mateo Kovacic both on fans’ minds.Ndombele has been heavily linked as a replacement for Dembele, and a move for the want away Kovacic would certainly ruffle a few feathers around the league.You can find some of the best reactions to Spurs’ bid for Barrios down below, as fans are hoping for bigger and better things…
Teetering just inches off the drop zone prior to Saturday’s game at Bournemouth, the Magpies desperately needed a win.
When the referee blew to end the first-half, it looked as if Newcastle were on the verge of accomplishing just that as a Dwight Gayle brace gave them a 2-0 lead.
The Cherries barely threatened the Magpies goal, with Newcastle keeper Martin Dubravka’s brilliant save to deny Steve Cook on 75 minutes the only meaningful scoring attempt by the visitors prior to the last 10 minutes.
Substitute Adam Smith pulled one back on 80 minutes, however, when he sent home a scorching strike off the underside of the bar.
The comeback was completed with one minute remaining in normal time, when Dan Gosling netted from close range following a pass from Nathan Ake.
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What will frustrate Newcastle is that is this was a largely perfect performance undone by mistakes at the death. But which players can hold their heads up high, and who were the biggest culprits behind the Magpies squandering a two-goal lead? Let us know by taking part below and giving each player an individual performance rating out of ten…