Football books and documentaries

**CollegeTillIDie** · 24/04/2006, 8:05 PM

Originally Posted by TheJamaicanP.M.

As mentioned already, the Channel 4 documentary on Graham Taylor was outstanding. I also enjoyed a documentary made by the BBC on the Yugoslavia youth team of the 1980s. It was a team that included the likes of Boban, Savicevic, Mijatovic and Boksic, as well as a number of other players that went on to represent both Yugoslavia and Croatia. One can only imagine what that Yugoslav team may have gone onto achieve in Euro 92 and WC 94.

That documentary if it is the same one shown on TG4 a couple of years ago was made by a Dutch film crew. And was excellent.
I believe the Yugoslavs would have won Euro 92 with or without the Croatian players.

**monzo** · 27/04/2006, 4:36 PM

There's Only One Red Army is an excellent read - I recommend it to all LOI fans and even those not into the LOI. Currently reading Patsy McGowan's book which is a great read so far.

Might seek out this Fever Pitch - can anyone outline what it is mainly about (just fight experiences after matches etc.?).

**Mad Moose** · 27/04/2006, 5:28 PM

Cant leave this without mention of the legend that was Brian Clough. 'In his own words' .You'll understand why he was called 'old big ead'. Had the great pleasure of a couple of games in the Brian Clough Stand at the City Ground and travelling the Brian Clough way to Derby. Neither city will forget the man.I grew up with the man piercing my subconscious and you just couldn't help but sit up and take notice. Couple of players at Forest to watch out for in the future, namely Nathan Tyson and Sammy Clingan, signed from Wycombe Wanderers and Wolves respectively.Both deserving of the shirt. We may hear of them in the future.

Brendan

**pineapple stu** · 27/04/2006, 11:11 PM

Just started Pointless by Jeff Connor, about last season with East Stirlingshire. Interesting book so far - just gone past the club background and onto the pre-season.

**hamish** · 28/04/2006, 12:12 AM

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

Just started Pointless by Jeff Connor, about last season with East Stirlingshire. Interesting book so far - just gone past the club background and onto the pre-season.

,

Good on yer for reminding me, PS, had forgotten that book - read a good bit about it in either the Guardian or Observer. Going to Amazon right now.

EDIT - have added "Baghdad FC" as well.

**geysir** · 28/04/2006, 12:29 AM

Originally Posted by Harpsbear

Can't leave this without mention of the legend that was Brian Clough. 'In his own words'

That's a good read or rather it feels like you hear the man talking the words.
There was an excellent b/w documentary on Clough's early Managerial days, transmitted on BBC4 just after he died. It included a few interviews with BBC reporters who still spoke with that phoney corny cricket accent.

**Junior** · 28/04/2006, 8:07 AM

Originally Posted by monzo

Might seek out this Fever Pitch - can anyone outline what it is mainly about (just fight experiences after matches etc.?).

Not sure if you're taking the pi$$ but its about a lifelong Arsenal fan, and his life supporting them up to the year they won the league versus Liverpool at Anfield. Written by Nick Hornby, Film based on the book also with Colin Firth(also an American version based on a Redsox fan!!!)

Great read................

**Mad Moose** · 28/04/2006, 10:43 AM

Originally Posted by geysir

That's a good read or rather it feels like you hear the man talking the words.
There was an excellent b/w documentary on Clough's early Managerial days, transmitted on BBC4 just after he died. It included a few interviews with BBC reporters who still spoke with that phoney corny cricket accent.

Aye Brian's early days were managing Hartlepool Utd (A club i've had weird dreams about on numerous occasions that meant I had no choice but to visit the ground). 'In his own words' is available on DVD from the Nottingham Forest club shop.

Brendan

**trevy** · 28/04/2006, 11:01 AM

Fever pitch by Nick Hornby as it pointed out the joy/despair and futility of a football fan investing large amounts of time,money and emotional energy of something we have no control over.Also he predicted very well the way football in England was heading even in 1993 with increased ticket prices,all seater stadiums and working class fans and kids priced out of going to games which has happened.
A season with Verona by Tim Parks and Football against the Enemy by Simon kuper are two others that stand out for me.

**Mad Moose** · 28/04/2006, 11:29 AM

Originally Posted by trevy

A season with Verona by Tim Parks and Football against the Enemy by Simon kuper are two others that stand out for me.

Simon Kuper was interviewed byArdal O'Hanlon as part of last nights 'Leagues Apart'. Is 'Football against the Enenemy' based on any particular club. Great names mentioned here. Would love some of these documentaries as part of my DVD collection. Any recommendations?

Brendan

**geysir** · 28/04/2006, 11:33 AM

Fever pitch, at least there is some evidence of the existance of a literate arsenal fan with a sense of humor.
In Holland when the book was advertised it was one of the lengthy excerpts on Liam Brady that was used as a blurb.
http://www.envb.nl/boekbesprekingen_...itch_brady.htm

**Junior** · 28/04/2006, 11:57 AM

Originally Posted by Harpsbear

Simon Kuper was interviewed byArdal O'Hanlon as part of last nights 'Leagues Apart'. Is 'Football against the Enenemy' based on any particular club?

Brendan

Nope. Covers clubs and football in general from many countries, including eastern europe, barca etc..... Its a look at all the factors that general football fan doesn't get to see, owners, mafia, governments influence etc.....

**The Good Son** · 29/04/2006, 10:01 AM

There's an extract in todays Times from a new book, "Forza Italia" by Paddy Agnew. For those who wouldn't know, Agnew is the Roma correspondent (not a sports journo) for the Times, and in my opinion one of the better journalists around. While hard to judge from a one page extract, there was enough in it to suggest it could be a good read. In the printed extract he compares football reporting from England and Italy.

**CollegeTillIDie** · 29/04/2006, 5:23 PM

"Football Against The Enemy" is about several rivlaries which have political overtones including Holland V Germany and Rangers V Celtic. I have started the book but have only read three chapters thus far.

I have also read " Managing My Life" by Alex Ferguson, the bits about playing in the Scottish League and managing East Fife, Alloa and Aberdeen are worth reading. Borrowed it from a former work colleague who is a ManUre fan.
Also read Clough's "Walking On Water" which is also a good read , both books were clearly compiled from taped interviews because you can almost hear their voices in your head as you read them.

**geysir** · 29/04/2006, 7:55 PM

Originally Posted by CollegeTillIDie

Also read Clough's "Walking On Water" which is also a good read , both books were clearly compiled from taped interviews because you can almost hear their voices in your head as you read them.

A nice bit of information but it was hardly worth repeating.
See posts 26 and 28.

**CollegeTillIDie** · 30/04/2006, 5:00 PM

geysir

The documentary and the book are not the same project cause the book was published before he died. I was given it while I was in hospital in early December 2002.

**Clifford** · 30/04/2006, 5:13 PM

Paolo Di Canio's autobiography is a cracker. Colina's was weak I thought.

I enjoyed Keane's, Quinns and Cascarinos very much. Stuart Pearce's is all right in that it shows how level headed most pros in football are.

I'm currently reading one about Bert Trautmann, a Man City / German goalkeeper after the war. Superb stuff - he was a POW before taking the German hating English people's hearts. Broke his neck in an FA Cup final and played on

.

**CollegeTillIDie** · 30/04/2006, 5:16 PM

Originally Posted by Clifford

Paolo Di Canio's autobiography is a cracker. Colina's was weak I thought.

I enjoyed Keane's, Quinns and Cascarinos very much. Stuart Pearce's is all right in that it shows how level headed most pros in football are.

I'm currently reading one about Bert Trautmann, a Man City / German goalkeeper after the war. Superb stuff - he was a POW before taking the German hating English people's hearts. Broke his neck in an FA Cup final and played on

.

Trautmann was a legend alright. I often wonder how an English player would have done in German football at about the same time... had one existed!

**geysir** · 01/05/2006, 9:58 AM

Originally Posted by CollegeTillIDie

geysir

The documentary and the book are not the same project cause the book was published before he died. I was given it while I was in hospital in early December 2002.

I was referring to the book, "walking on water" but mistakingly assumed it was called "in his words". We are in agreement.

**Clifford** · 01/05/2006, 11:41 AM

Originally Posted by CollegeTillIDie

Trautmann was a legend alright. I often wonder how an English player would have done in German football.... had one existed!

Good point, the abuse the guy took seemed to be way above and beyond the call of humanity. His testamonial had every player imaginable lining up to play for free, which at that time was unusual and showed how popular he became against all that adversity. He was treated like a dog by City, one doesn't have to look further than that book to see why they are always left behind.