During the National Year of Reading, we’re encouraging people to read into their hobbies, passions and interests. If you’re into it, read into it!
In this blog series, we’ll be matching your passions with relevant books from the Library collection, to help you ‘Go All In’ on what you love.
This time, we've picked out some of our best football books. From armchair analysis and top-level tactics to some of the weirder stories in football history, there’s something to inspire every fan of the beautiful game.
How to Watch Football by Ruud Gullit [catalogue]
How can one striker be better than three? Why do the best defenders never need to make a tackle? What's the secret of Tiki-taka? Welcome to Ruud Gullit's masterclass on how to 'read' a match. From his unrivalled perspective as player, manager, and pundit, the Dutch football legend shows us everything to look for in a 90-minute match. From formations and tactical decisions to player qualities and pivotal moments, Ruud Gullit unveils the hidden patterns on the pitch. Packed with his acute insights, original observations and talking points, this book will quite simply change the way you see the beautiful game.
The Mixer by Michael Cox [catalogue]
This is an absolutely essential book for every modern football fan, about the development of Premier League tactics, published to coincide with 25 years of the competition.
Back in 1992, English football was stuck in the dark ages, emerging from a five-year ban from European competition. The game was physical, bruising, and attritional, based on strength over speed, aggression over finesse. It was the era of the midfield general, reducers, big men up front and getting it in the mixer; 4-4-2 was the order of the day. Few teams experimented tactically. And then, almost overnight, it all changed.
The creation of the Premier League coincided with one of the most seismic rule changes in football history: the abolition of the back-pass. Suddenly defenders had no-get-out-of-jail-free card, goalkeepers had to be able to field and play the ball and the pace of the game quickened immeasurably.
If you’re looking to up your knowledge on the history of football rules and tactics, this is the book to pick up.
A Woman’s Game by Suzanne Wrack [catalogue]
'A Woman's Game' explores the history of women's football from the Victorian era - with players in high-heeled boots - to the present day.
It is the story of a rise, fall, and rise again: from the game's first appearance in England in the late 19th century; through the incredible teams which at their height in 1920 drew 53,000 spectators to Goodison Park; to its 50-year ban in the UK and the aftershocks when that ban was lifted.
Now, as the women's game is once again on an unstoppable upward trend, with internationally renowned players and a record 11.7m viewers for England's semi-final match against the USA in the 2019 World Cup, Suzanne Wrack considers what the next chapter of this incredible story might be. From its relationship to the worldwide fight against oppression, to its ability to inspire change in the wider world, this is both a history of football as played by women, and a manifesto for a better game.
Escape by John Smith [catalogue]
A perfect read for a football fan and cinephile.
Blessed with the winning combination of Pelé, Michael Caine and Sylvester Stallone, Escape to Victory represents the gold standard of football films.
This compelling book explores the familiar tale we know from the screen, and a multitude of stories we haven't heard from off screen. It offers fresh insight from stars of the film and football legends - including Ossie Ardiles, Mike Summerbee, John Wark, Hallvar Thoresen, Paul van Himst, Russell Osman, Soren Lindsted and Werner Roth - as well as first-hand accounts from crew, with tales from on and off set.
Football GOATs by Bruce R. Berglund [catalogue]
Who is the Greatest of All Time in the world of football? Pelé and Marta get a lot of GOAT nods. But is Nadine Angerer the greatest goalkeeper? And what about recent World Cup champion Lionel Messi?
It comes down to stats, history and hunches. Read more about some of the legends of football and see if you agree that they're the 'greatest of all time'.
(find this book in our junior fiction section)
You Have the Power by Leah Williamson [catalogue]
Join Leah Williamson, captain of the England women's football team, as she shows you that you can be a leader at any age, and that huge things can happen when you believe in yourself!
(find this book in our junior fiction section)
Injury Time by David Goldblatt [catalogue]
The current political landscape of the UK explored through the lens of football.
In 2014, David Goldblatt published 'The Game of Our Lives', an exhaustive and critically-acclaimed 'state of the nation' account of the UK told through the prism of football.
Fast forward 10 years and Goldblatt returns with a new state of the nation book that examines British society and culture through football at perhaps the most perilous time in modern history.
Split into three parts, 'Injury Time' explores Brexit, Covid and the 'polycrisis' of today (a tanking economy, European wars, political uncertainty and climate change) through the prism of football and posits the game as the most illuminating guide to the state of the nation today.
Football’s Strangest Matches by Andrew Ward [catalogue]
A collection of stories about some of football’s oddest matches - some funny, some bizarre, some tragic but all of them true.
From Blackburn Rovers’ one-man team to Wilfred Minter’s seven-goal haul in which he still ended up on the losing side, this book contains goals and gaffes galore drawn from all levels of the footballing world.
