Writing Worth Reading
Writing Worth Reading
A collection of hand-picked articles and interviews with leading authorities on the biggest sport in the world
Classic piece on Ajax's famed youth academy. Boys join at 7 and many turn into superstars. Coach says “I am never looking at which boy is scoring the most goals or even who is running the fastest"
How the great football heroes fade. Wonderful account of meeting Gascoigne during his last attempts to extend his playing career in China. Plagued by depression and alcoholism but still desperate to play...
Fascinating on where footballs are made. Answer - Sialkot, Pakistan, one of the homes of cricket. Price for a hand stitched ball $0.65. Over 60 million made in a year
In honour of perhaps the greatest and certainly the most colourful manager of all time - the late, great Brian Clough. Stories include proudly greeting Elton John naked in the changing rooms. Unmissable
Nick Hornby's "Fever Pitch" has given us the ideal of a lifelong one-club supporter. But most fans are more promiscuous
Former pro footballer recalls days of excess. First came the jaw-dropping pay cheque. Then the jewellers, the cars, the hangers-on. Throwing money away. Literally. And the envy of others that can turn violent
One man's intriguing memories of different types of football nets. Shows how standardised the game has become in modern years. Bemoans the lost romanticism of the past. Quirky but entertaining
European football is eating itself, but the spending won't stop. Combination of ego, politics and moral hazard militates against it. Added to which, financially prudent clubs don't do well on the pitch
Striking timeline, tracing development of British game from popularisation in mid-19th century. Top clubs today are the exact same group that led a century ago, when first big stadiums were built
Olympique Lyonnais soared from relative obscurity to become France's top football club by far, all the while without either wealthy benefactor or long-serving manager. Here's how they did it
Notion that international sport inspires fraternity is romantic fiction. Football nationalism is deeply felt, useful as outlet for primitive impulses. It helps to have traditional enemies
Short, tongue-in-cheek, thought-provoking essay on social functions of football. Offers the working masses distraction, excitement—but also tradition, artistry, solidarity, engagement
Underdogs should be charming, likeable, not merely tormentors of others. Best are tricksters showing up the powerful. For football fans, backing underdogs can be form of pain management
Gripping review of brave, mostly ignored book on football match fixing. Includes basic rules for fixing matches without people knowing, even at World Cups. Match fixing industry now mature, stable, global.
Apparently yes, since so many players do it, even in the World Cup. But wouldn't it be great if more footballers chose to tell the truth, setting an example for spectators and other players?
