Football books and documentaries

[stojkovic]

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.

He is the political/religous correspondent for Rome and jumped on the Serie A bandwagon in the nineties. I dont rate his football knowledge at all and his OTT pronunciation of players names is embarrassing. I think he just reads Gazzetta dello Sport and repeats it in the Irish Times. I wont be buying his book - the title says it all - very imaginative isn't it!

[Poor Student]

For anyone who has this book on Verona, is there much in there about the origins of the Hellas part of the club's name? I think it had something to do with a Classics professor but I'm just wondering if there's much said on it in there?

[Junior]

Don't have the book to hand, however found this.....

"Founded in 1903 by a group of university students, the club was named Hellas (the Greek word for Greece), at the request of a professor of Classics. At a time in which football was played seriously only in the larger cities of the Northwest of Italy, most of Verona was indifferent to the growing sport. However, when in 1906 two city teams chose the city's Roman amphitheatre as a venue to showcase the game, crowd enthusiasm and media interest began to rise."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hellas_Verona_F.C.

[Poor Student]

Yeah, that's where I started my trail for info on this Junior, but cheers. I'll get the book itself if it has any information on this.

[Mad Moose]

Thanks for this thread for it has reawakened my interest in books again.There were a couple of years where I spent most of my earned dough on books and that has now transferred to DVD but there are a few there I would like to add to my collection.Most i haven't read but I picked up Tony Cascarino's autobiography from my collection the last night and I'm engrossed in it. Its a fantastic read. Just cant believe I left it so long.

Brendan

[OwlsFan]

As mentioned already, the Channel 4 documentary on Graham Taylor was outstanding.

Best books I've read are those by Niall Quinn, Tony Cas and Johan Cryuff.

Agreed although didn't real the Cryuff book.

The Channel 4 documentary I still have on tape some place. Phil Neale appears as a right yes man. Taylor turns to him and says "I think I'll bring on Wrighty". Neale "Yes, bring on Wrighty" and numerous more parrot like comments of a similar nature. Also when a goal is given offside, Taylor goes to the linesman and shouts at him "You've cost me my job you know". One of the few things Taylor got right. It's a classic documentary.

Quinn's and Cascarino's book were excellent reads.

[NeilMcD]

He is the political/religous correspondent for Rome and jumped on the Serie A bandwagon in the nineties. I dont rate his football knowledge at all and his OTT pronunciation of players names is embarrassing. I think he just reads Gazzetta dello Sport and repeats it in the Irish Times. I wont be buying his book - the title says it all - very imaginative isn't it!

I think you are clearly wrong with this. He was the Sports Editor of the Sunday Tribune in the 80s. He then moved to Italy in about 1986 with his wife and became Rome Correspondent for the Irish times. His background was in sport so he contributed regular pieces to the Irish Times and other papers about the Italian League. As he was living in Italy they also asked him to contribute pieces on the Vatican etc. He is living in Italy now 20 years and his daugter is Italian and his pronunciation is the proper Italian way on how to pronounce a players name but its sounds strange to our ears as it is coming from a native English speaker. To be honest I am not sure if your post could be any more ignorant.

[Junior]

Yeah, that's where I started my trail for info on this Junior, but cheers. I'll get the book itself if it has any information on this.

I can't quite recall what exactly it says in the book, but Im sure it covers it to some degree.

Nonetheless the book is a brilliant trip covering the highs and lows of a season with the fans and team but also covering the social issues within Verona and how it is percieved as a place and people within Italy at large.

I'd recommend it regardless!!!

[Schumi]

Yeah, that's where I started my trail for info on this Junior, but cheers. I'll get the book itself if it has any information on this.

Aberdonian Stu has had a copy of it for some time (hint hint ). You're more than welcome to borrow it as I doubt he's even started it yet.

[Donegalcelt]

Almost all the books mentioned here are very good reads- quinn, cas, there's only one red army, brilliant orange, football against the enemy, hand of god, barca, ajax barcelona cryuff etc. i'm reading calcio by john foot at the mo. it's a history of italian soccer. very good insights into corruption,violence, cynacism.............................and football

[pineapple stu]

There's an extract in today's Times from a new book, "Forza Italia" by Paddy Agnew.

Got a very good write-up in When Saturday Comes this month, and they're usually hard to please.

[lim abroad]

bought "football against the enemy" recently on the basis of recommendations here but was a bit disappointed in it,maybe i was expecting too much.

[drinkfeckarse]

Quinn's and Cascarino's book were excellent reads.

I enjoyed Quinn's book but I felt he concentrated too much on Keane. Very good as you say though. Haven't got round to Cascarino's yet but I got Pele's new autobiography for Fathers Day. I'm not expecting too much out of it but I'll let you know if it's half decent or not.

[DmanDmythDledge]

There is a book on José Mourinho written by Luis Lourenco that was a very interesting read, mainly about his time with Porto, which gave a good insight into what he his like as a manager.

[CollegeTillIDie]

The best bits of "Managing My Life " by Alex Ferguson, are the sections relating to his playing career, and his days managing in club football in Scotland. The rest of it you can guess pretty much. But that early part of his career is fascinating.

[CraftyToePoke]

what would anyone reccommend in relation to a book on tactics, formations etc? im basically looking for some in depth detail on the game and the nitty-gritty of it all.

[OwlsFan]

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

Is there much about Sheffield Wednesday in it ?

Captain Fantastic by Mick McCarthy and Andy's Game by Andy Townsend. Also Mick McCarthy's Ireland's World Cup 2002 and The Team that Jack Built by Paul Rowan.

Never read Eamon DUnphy's opinions masquerading as the Keane Autobiography. Went to the index and looked at the 3 references to Sheffield Wednesday - each turned out to be a reference to Sheffield United! Put it quickly back on the shelf - wasn't going to contribute to either's pension fund

[CraftyToePoke]

Is there much about Sheffield Wednesday in it ?

theres a bit about his time spent at weds, but iirc, he didnt have any great affection for the club or place generally, i think i remember reading how he came to redard it as a provincial outpost manned by bumpkins with a side to match.

[OwlsFan]

theres a bit about his time spent at weds, but iirc, he didnt have any great affection for the club or place generally, i think i remember reading how he came to redard it as a provincial outpost manned by bumpkins with a side to match.

The Club was in decline when he joined it so I am not surprised by those comments, if true.

[John83]

what would anyone reccommend in relation to a book on tactics, formations etc? im basically looking for some in depth detail on the game and the nitty-gritty of it all.

I haven't read it, but this sounds like what you're looking for, and it's supposed to be good, if a little dry.

There's a list of similar stuff here. I have no idea how good any of it is meant to be.