Author Archive

Let’s Not Forget

Yes, I know it’s not as exciting as reminiscing about a wonderful goal or fabulous day-trip but please let me remind you all what the purpose of the tuktuk tour is. It is to raise awareness and funds for Prostate Cancer UK.

Let’s not forget – one in eight men will be affected by Prostate cancer in their life.

Here is today’s newsletter from the charity.

‘If I had a pound for every prostate cancer picked up purely by chance…’

Hi Steve,

You may have read our recent email about our new TV appeal. The appeal centres on the fact that too many men visit their GP for something unrelated, and a standard blood test reveals that they may be at risk of prostate cancer.

This has been based on real stories men and doctors have told us.

The majority of men that I see with prostate cancer have come to me with what we call an incidental diagnosis. Too often the prostate cancers I see are more advanced, they could have been caught earlier

Dr. Noël, Consultant Urological & Robotic Prostate Surgeon

Will you help fund research that leaves nothing to chance?

Research into earlier diagnosis and awareness can save lives, which is why we’re asking you to please send a gift today and help us fund this work.

12,000 men die of prostate cancer every year, that’s one man’s life every 45 minutes. All too often they find out by complete chance, too late. Your gift today could help fund the research that will improve the odds of diagnosing prostate cancer earlier and stop men dying too soon.

Because men’s lives shouldn’t be left to chance.

Please, donate today to stop men being diagnosed by chance.

DONATE £10 TODAY – OR WHATEVER YOU CAN AFFORD!

Until next time, thanks

All at Prostate Cancer UK

PS. Watch our new TV appeal here

We’re raising awareness on chance diagnosis with our new TV appeal, which you can also watch on YouTube.

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I am also trying to raise awareness and today I make no apologies for “shaking the tin.” I wonder how many of you would be happy to add just £1? I would be very grateful if you would consider a donation however small to support  Prostate Cancer UK  If everybody chipped in £1 I would easily hit my target of £5,000 and the charity would continue to fund their great work. Every single penny goes DIRECT to Prostate Cancer UK. A HEARTFELT thanks, if you can donate. If you can’t you can still help massively by sharing this page about the work of Prostate Cancer.

AFC Rushden & Diamonds

It’s Sunday and that can only mean one thing. Yes, Darren Ashley’s vlog hits the newswires. His weekly blogs (see Flackwell Heath, for example) are proving exceptionally popular and he has kindly allowed me to reproduce his thoughts and vlogs at AFC Rushden and Diamonds who hosted Lye Town, Stourbridge.

I was talking to him earlier and he will be out again next Saturday which is, of course, Non League Day. Hopefully everyone will use the international break to visit a local non league side. You will quickly see the difference between the Prima Donna League and what your local teams offer. Enjoy!
“So, Darren, what have you been up to? Where, have you been?” “Hi, Steve, Yesterdays filming of my weekly Non League vlog took me to Hayden Road, to watch AFC Rushden and Diamonds, for their home match v Lye Town F.C.

Now, I could spend ages writing about how fantastically Diamonds, and everyone connected with them, treated me yesterday. Put it this way, I was chatting to so many people, at times, I completely forgot the purpose of the visit was to film and give R&D, and Lye Town some exposure.

To say they were friendly and welcoming is an understatement, but, for this post, I want to tell you about a Frenchman at the Diamonds and how it came about…..

Rob Usher, the R&D chairman ( pictured left) with Manu told me this charming story…..

R&D recently received an order for a home shirt from a small town in France on the Swiss border.

Intrigued by this unusual request destination, Rob had to find out more, so he contacted the buyer as to why they were ordering a shirt from a Non League team from England ???

Manu, the buyer replied that, for no particular reason, he started playing the computer game, Championship manager as R&D, and started to do quite well…so well, that he started to follow the real teams results from far away.

When Rob heard this, he invited Manu and a couple of his mates over for a game…and yesterday was the day. Manu even presented Rob with a shirt from his team, Annency.

As I was chatting to them after the match, Rob was tongue in cheek exploring the possibility of a friendly in the mountains

Manu told me that he and his mates had a brilliant time at the match, meeting players, and basically, feeling like VIP’s….I actually felt the same too!

So, yet another story about why I love Non League, and the way they treat people. It’s also encouraging that the reach out there is bigger than I thought. Absolutely brilliant.

So…..if you are still reading and want to see how the match turned out, as always, Here is the vlog and , of course, to see all the previous games, just click here.”

“Thanks, Darren, obviously it is Non League Day next Saturday. Would you like to tell your subscribers where you will be?” “Mmm,…and spoil the surprise?!? No, I don’t think so but I do hope people will take the international break as an opportunity to see a local non league game. I am sure they will be absolutely delighted with what they see – the friendship, the sensible pricing and, believe me, the quality of the football.” “Yes, I just saw Raheem Sterling miss a penalty. I guarantee that every non league player would have buried that chance.”

If you are not following Darren’s vlog series, subscribe here at no cost.

I hope you subscribe to Darren’s blog. Like Christian he is doing a great job promoting non-league football. There is NO cost to subscribe to either blog/vlog. On the other hand I would like your money, just £1 of it! I am struggling to reach £500 for FC Deportivo and Prostate Cancer at £20 or £50 so this is a bit of a test/a trial if you like. I wonder how many of you would be happy to add just £1? I would be very grateful if you would consider a donation however small to support  Prostate Cancer UK  If everybody chipped in £1 I would easily hit my target of £5,000 and the charity would continue to fund their great work. Every single penny goes DIRECT to Prostate Cancer UK. A HEARTFELT thanks, if you can donate. If you can’t you can still help massively by sharing this page about the work of Prostate Cancer. If you prefer to support FC Deportivo Galicia, their link is here

Paul Ferris

Yes, I know I wrote about books yesterday but this is a book every man should read. You will know that the purpose of this tuktuk journey is to raise awareness and funds for Prostate Cancer UK. This is another journey, “One man’s journey through prostate cancer.”

In the UK, about 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime.

I repeat,

In the UK, about 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime.

From the author of the critically acclaimed memoir, The Boy on the Shed, comes a powerful tale of grit and resilience, told with great humour, openness and profound bravery.

Former Newcastle United winger Paul Ferris was 51. He had successfully forged a post-football career as a physio, barrister and then a CEO, and his award-winning memoir, The Boy on the Shed, was just about to be published. But then he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. This honest, sometimes brutal and frequently funny book tells the story of what happened next.

Prostate cancer. It’s a phrase that strikes fear into the heart of every man. It’s the most common male cancer, but treatable if it’s caught early enough. Paul doesn’t shy away from describing that treatment. And neither does he hold back on its life-changing consequences – from harrowing surgery, humiliating procedures and excruciating consultations – as he strives to become the man he once was again.

The mental challenges and psychological impact of living with this acute condition are explored in Paul’s revealing and riveting narrative that represents rare male honesty, but this is never a ‘poor me’ book or not in any way self-pitying. Courageous, inspirational and beautifully written, TheMagic in the Tin is a rare thing: deeply moving yet rich in humour, written by a true sportsman in every sense of the word.

A brutal and poignant account of one man’s journey through prostate cancer.

What they said…

‘Unmissable: please read this extraordinary book.’ – Daily Mail

‘A triumph … A worthy follow-up to The Boy on the Shed.’ – Jeff Stelling

‘All men should read this book – important and brilliantly written.’ – Alan Shearer

‘Genius… A difficult, deeply personal story beautifully told.’ – George Caulkin, The Athletic

So, today especially I make no apologies for “shaking the tin.” I wonder how many of you would be happy to add just £1? I would be very grateful if you would consider a donation however small to support  Prostate Cancer UK  If everybody chipped in £1 I would easily hit my target of £5,000 and the charity would continue to fund their great work. Every single penny goes DIRECT to Prostate Cancer UK. A HEARTFELT thanks, if you can donate. If you can’t you can still help massively by sharing this page about the work of Prostate Cancer.

Books

Books, glorious books
We’re anxious to try it
Three bios a day, our favourite diet
Just picture a mammoth steak, fried, roasted or stewed
Oh, books, wonderful books, marvellous books, glorious books
Books, glorious books
Books, magical books, wonderful books, marvellous books
Food, glorious books

Magical books
Glorious books

…with apologies to Charles Dickens and Lionel Bart (amongst others!)

Those of me who know me, know that I love football, travel and ………books. I am your archetypal bookworm. I rarely read fiction (other than Tory election manifestos) but will read books about travel, languages/linguistics, politics and, of course, football in five or six languages. As Jane Austen said “It is a truth universally acknowledged that Steve without a book in his hands is a rare site. Well, she might not have said it BUT I am a bookworm/un ratón de biblioteca, en …. and whatever it is in any other language (Finnish? Best guess – kkiikkikkiiakkieeii)

Delighted to get updates from my friends at Pitch Publishing and Stanchion this week. Hopefully they are of interest to you too. Here is an interesting one from Pitch Publishing

Few clubs are “unique” – Athletic de Bilbao absolutely is!

Los Leones: The Unique Story of Athletic Club Bilbao tells the incredible story of the unique Basque club. Athletic’s rich history and Basque-only philosophy causes intrigue across the footballing world. Exclusive interviews with former legends and prominent journalists provide the historical and political context of what makes Athletic so special.

For more books from Pitch Publishing, click HERE


Meanwhile Stanchion’s Craven Cottage – 250 years interested me

It’s all about Fulham’s ground, although the story starts well over 100 years before the football club arrived. Indeed, there was a Craven Cottage on the site in 1777. The story comes right up to date with the building of the second Riverside Stand.

Along the way there is drama, tragedy, high-society parties, the Craven dynasty, heroes and villains, financial crises, the near-demise of the football club, the complexities of the original Cottage building and its numerous tenants, followed by the story of the 130-year evolution of the football ground’s four sides and the current Cottage building – and much more. And this all on a tiny 8-acre site once surrounded by orchards and farms, then by industrial wharves and now by prestigious living accommodation.

For more from Stanchion, click here

… AND NOW A PLEA FOR HELP!!

I would like your money, just £1 of it! I am struggling to reach my initial target £500 for FC Deportivo and Prostate Cancer at £20 or £50 so this is a bit of a test/a trial if you like. I wonder how many of you would be happy to add just £1? I would be very grateful if you would consider a donation however small to support  Prostate Cancer UK  If everybody chipped in £1 I would easily hit my target of £5,000 and the charity would continue to fund their great work. Every single penny goes DIRECT to Prostate Cancer UK. A HEARTFELT thanks, if you can donate. If you can’t you can still help massively by sharing this page about the work of Prostate Cancer. If you prefer to support FC Deportivo Galicia, their link is here

The FA and England Football join forces with Michail Antonio to celebrate grassroots football volunteers

After yesterday’s “good news” blog when we looked at the greatest goals, here’s an even better one. It’s March so it’s time for the annual Grassroot Football Awards. It’s the time of year when we think back on all those people who have helped us through the season in whatever capacity and when we have the opportunity to publicly thank them.

Nowadays, there are a huge range of categories so there may well be a whole number of people you can nominate at your club. Read on, Macduff!

Grassroots Football Award

The Grassroots Football Awards are here for you to say thank you to all the people and organisations who give their time to make football happen… our awesome volunteers who give so much week-in, week out, rain or shine. And they are for you, the parents, coaches, clubs, leagues, fellow volunteers, match officials etc to pass on your appreciation. 

By nominating a volunteer for a Grassroots Football Award, you’re passing on your thanks. For every big and small moment they bring. For their time, energy and ideas. For your appreciation of everything they do in making the grassroots game happen. 

Your thanks will mean a lot, to a lot of people.

As well as a big thank you, our national Award winners will enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime experience at their own presentation ceremony at Wembley ahead of the Community Shield. As well as tickets to the match, filming and photography at their club plus more prizes.

You can nominate as many times as you like, in as many categories as you like. And every time you nominate a volunteer, you can be sure they’ll hear all about it.

HOW TO NOMINATE

This year, it’s easier than ever. You can now tell their story in a way you want simply by letting us know:

• What they do, and how it impresses you
• How they make a difference to others’ lives
• Where they’ve had an impact in their community

The more detail you give, the better. 

Nominations are open to the 3 April 2024. There are twelve different categories for you to nominate into. For more details please click below. I will not be embarrassed if you nominate FC Deportivo Galicia!!!

NOMINATE NOW

… AND NOW FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT

I would like your money, just £1 of it! I am struggling to reach my initial target £500 for FC Deportivo and Prostate Cancer at £20 or £50 so this is a bit of a test/a trial if you like. I wonder how many of you would be happy to add just £1? I would be very grateful if you would consider a donation however small to support  Prostate Cancer UK  If everybody chipped in £1 I would easily hit my target of £5,000 and the charity would continue to fund their great work. Every single penny goes DIRECT to Prostate Cancer UK. A HEARTFELT thanks, if you can donate. If you can’t you can still help massively by sharing this page about the work of Prostate Cancer. If you prefer to support FC Deportivo Galicia, their link is here

Pubkas Awards

Here’s one for all non league fans! The Pubkas Awards 2023/24

Pubkas Awards: Send us your best goals from amateur leagues – you could win a CASH prize

The brand new Pubkas Awards honour the best goals scored in Britain’s amateur football leagues in the 2023/24 season. Send us videos of the most beautiful efforts to be in with a chance of winning a cash prize and trophy – as well as the glory. You’ve heard of the Puskás Award – now it’s time for the Pubkas Awards.

Just like FIFA’s annual trophy, the brand new accolade recognises the beautiful game’s “most beautiful” goals. But solo efforts and screamers from GOAT contenders such as Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi and Seamus Coleman won’t be considered.

Instead, the Pubkas Awards will honour the finest goals scored in amateur football leagues only. So if you’ve captured a Sunday morning worldie or a pub team cracker on camera in the 2023/24 season, we want to see it.

To be in with a chance of winning, goals must be pure filth – in a good way. We’re talking acrobatic bicycle kicks, long range thunderbolts, cheeky rabonas, delicate chips, individual efforts and flowing team goals.

Ferenc Puskas (front-left), pictured leading Hungary out at Wembley in 1953, inspired the name of the award 

Image: Popperfoto via Getty Images

Flukes, deflected strikes and any goals involving the dark arts or foul play will be immediately booted out of contention by our panel of expert judges tasked with shortlisting the best of the bunch.

The Puskás Award, named after legendary 1950s Real Madrid and Hungary forward Ferenc Puskás, is handed out “without distinction of gender” – and the Pubkas Awards are similarly inclusive in that respect.

Goals scored in both the men’s and women’s game, junior, open age and veterans leagues, will be accepted. Crucially, they have to have been scored in amateur competitions.

The competition is now open and will close at 6pm on Sunday May 19, which should be around the time the last ball is kicked in the Premier League this season. Once the judges have agreed on a shortlist of the best 10, voting will commence.

The three goals with the most votes at the end of the process, which closes at at 6pm on Sunday June 16, will each get an engraved trophy and a cash prize – as well as the glory, of course. First place will get £500, second place £300 and third place £200.

Send in your entries now to be in with a chance of winning. After all, if you don’t shoot…

I have certainly seen contenders at FC Deportivo Galicia and I am sure Christian and Darren have suggestions.

Taunton Town FC

Over the last two months I have been struck time and time again at the huge divide between the wealthy clubs of the Premier League and. well, everybody else. Obviously, the Tuktuk Tour is to raise awareness and funds for FC Deportivo Galicia at Step 6. Our challenges are nothing compared to those further up the pyramid. We have no paid employees, we have no ground to maintain and rarely need coach travel.

We groundshare with Bedfont Sports and the players carpool to away games that are generally within 30 miles. We hear of the troubles at Chester, Rochdale and in the North East. Sadly some clubs have had to throw the towel in during the season. This week’s ” Plea for Help” is from Taunton Town in Somerset. Them today, your club tomorrow?

“I would like to highlight the current plight of Taunton Town Football Club. We are just coming out of the wettest winter ever in this part of the world, this has taken its toll on non league football pitches but none more so than our County Town side which has seen 9 games postponed due to waterlogged pitches and 5/5 of the last home games. This has left the club with no matchday income through ticket sales, bar, food and club shop purchases. The club recently had a winding up petition from the HMRC as they could not pay taxes due to no income. The money was found and the HMRC paid but they need paying every month. A statement was released this week that the club have not been able to pay players in full, staff at all, and will likely have another winding up petition #(below). In reality, the club is very close to closure. The club plays at the 6th tier of English football, 2 off Football League Two so fairly high up in the National football pyramid. The recently formed Independent Supporters Association are trying to raise funds to close the gap. They have a Go Fund Me page at https://gofund.me/c8154fa3 alternatively, supporter Troy Webster is running an 84 mile ultra marathon to which you can sponsor him at https://gofund.me/e9194d32 Troy is donating his sponsorship to the football club.

If there is anyone reading this who could assist in engaging with EDF/Hinkley Point/HPC and the workforce this could also make a huge difference. If only 10% of the workforce were to start following the club or make donations it would help greatly. There could even be a Hinkley Point Taunton Supporters Branch! In the 2013/14 floods we had Dutch pump employees over at the EA, I managed to convince one to come and watch Taunton Town and he formed the Taunton Town Dutch supporters branch. We are also ‘big in Japan’, I kid you not……. due to a former Taunton Resident hosting a Japanese football show on one of their main channels and featuring the club.

If the town was to lose its football team this would have a big impact locally. The club provides people with wellbeing and social interactions, a release from daily work/life balances. It provides local companies advertising opportunities through sponsorship and working with the club. A large part local history and culture would be wiped out. If you can support the club either through donations, attending forthcoming fundraisers such as a Horse Race Night and Quiz Night or attending games when the pitch is playable, it will go a long way towards securing the future of the club.”

Sad days, indeed.

# Club Statement

The number of home games postponed due the volume of rain these past weeks has only deepened the financial challenges the club is experiencing.

As a result, the club has been unable to meet its salary commitments for February (payment due on the 5^thMarch 2024). Using the small amount of income the club has received in February, it has agreed with the players to pay an affordable percentage of their expected sum.  The difference will be paid as soon as the club is able to. The remainder of the club staffing team have unfortunately not been paid.

Disappointingly the lack of income does mean that the club is unable to meet its HMRC commitment. Having already exhausted payment plan options with the Revenue, another winding up order and league transfer embargo could be unavoidable. The club will endeavour to continue to provide updates on the situation when we can.

Tickets for the remaining home games can be purchased online via the club website. Doing so in advance would significantly assist the club in this challenging time. Further to this, tickets are now available for the exhibition match between Manchester United Legends vs Taunton Town Legends on 19^th May. Your support will be greatly appreciated.

Flackwell Heath

Yes, it’s Sunday which can only mean one thing. I look back on Gillingham and FC Deportivo Galicia’s results and I watch Darren Ashley’s You Tube channel. Gillingham drew at home to Tranmere Rovers whilst Deportivo Galicia beat Bagshot 7-0 in a game that was not as one-sided as it seemed.

Darren was meant to have been at high-flying Flackwell Heath last week but it fell foul of the weather. Yesterday he was in more luck as he relates,

” Yesterday’s vlogging took me to South Buckinghamshire, after an invite from Rich, to his club Flackwell Heath, who happened to be top of the Combined Counties Prem Division North league.

I was meant to go there last Saturday, but it got called off that morning, which was no bad thing for me as I was feeling a bit under the weather.

This week, they were playing 16th placed Harefield United.

Recent league form for both teams…

Flackwell Heath W W W W W W

Harefield Utd L W L W L W

….surely only one outcome right?….

No spoilers though from me as I’d like you to watch the vid which is in the comments

As I try to do, I got there early, to find out a bit more about the clubs and to do some early filming, which, when complete, I can relax a bit before kick off.

Rich met me on arrival, and was great, giving me access to virtually anything I like, including going on the heavily sanded pitch and match filming on the gantry.

During my downtime before kick off, I chatted to a fair few home fans about their club.

It was clear, their team meant a lot to them and were desperate for promotion to step 4 for 1st time in their history.

Onto kick off then, where I soon found out, it was bloody cold up on the gantry with a very strong wind.

The game itself, was probably quite an awkward one to play in for both teams due to the wind and the pitch, but it was one of those matches where something always seemed to be happening, whether a great bit of skill, excellent goalkeeping,or, proper Non League tackles and a few verbals, which I found to be quite funny.

Special mention must go out to Harefield’s number 9, who was the grandmaster in dishing the verbals out

In no time at all it seemed, the full time whistle went, where, i did my usual thing of seeking out a manager for a post match interview and, to wrap up the filming at the club.

I bumped into Rich as I was planning to leave, but he invited me into the clubhouse for some food and drink…who was I to say no??!!!

In there, between mouthfuls of grub, I had a good chat with the match officials about how difficult the match looked to ref…although, I thought they did well as it was clear both teams were definitely trying to gain any advantage they could…if you know what I mean!

Home time came then, and the hours drive home where I reflected on the day and how wonderfully I was looked after by Flackwell Heath FC.

It is such a lovely club, in a nice setting, and I really hope they go up, where I will love to return up on that gantry….but on a sunnier day.”

Watch the highlights and the David Colemans here

I hope you subscribe to Darren’s blog. Like Christian he is doing a great job promoting non-league football. There is NO cost to subscribe to either blog/vlog. On the other hand I would like your money, just £1 of it! I am struggling to reach £500 for FC Deportivo and Prostate Cancer at £20 or £50 so this is a bit of a test/a trial if you like. I wonder how many of you would be happy to add just £1? I would be very grateful if you would consider a donation however small to support  Prostate Cancer UK  If everybody chipped in £1 I would easily hit my target of £5,000 and the charity would continue to fund their great work. Every single penny goes DIRECT to Prostate Cancer UK. A HEARTFELT thanks, if you can donate. If you can’t you can still help massively by sharing this page about the work of Prostate Cancer. If you prefer to support FC Deportivo Galicia, their link is here

British Heart Foundation FC Memorial Shirt

It’s Saturday and that means football. Today it is a home game against Bagshot FC. Sadly they are having a pretty torrid time this season with only one away win so far. I smell a banana skin. Let’s go for a 5-1 win. Mmmmmm!

Obviously, the tuktuk tour is to raise awareness for Prostate Cancer UK but I am not blind to the Tories continually ravaging the NHS so I am happy to promote this unique project, the British Heart Foundation FC Memorial Shirt.

They say, “Add the name of a loved one or a special person to our one-off Memorial shirt in partnership with Ignite Sports Apparel.

We always wear our shirts with pride and passion and can’t wait to represent these special names.

For £10 your loved one name will feature on the front of the brand-new home.

Money raised for British Heart Foundation

Shirt sponsored by Tension Twisted Realities

Ignite Sports say, “Charity is important to us. Not only because we love to be able to give a little back, but also as it’s exactly where our business started.

Our first ever kit was for a charity club that was founded and managed by our MD, Chris, who couldn’t find a kit he loved or accurately represented the spirit of the team! The rest as they say is history!

We’d love to be known as the kit supplier for charity teams. We offer bespoke pricing packages and structures for charity football clubs as well as offering a ‘give’ back’ scheme.” 

You can add the name on the shirt until the 13th March then the special shirt will be on sale for everyone to buy on Monday 16th March for £21.99.

Add name here

We are more than a Football Club

World Book Day

If anybody knows anything about me they would do a “What three words” – Steve, “football, travel, books.” I’d probably add chess and anti-Tory but the first three words are pretty accurate. This week it is World Book Day so it is a great excuse for me to share some books that cover at least two of the three!

First up I present Gareth Thomas and his love of Anguilla and Uprising FC (logo above). He sent me an excerpt yesterday. I am looking forward to the release of his first book.

“As I approach 20,000 words written for my book, just to wet the appetite I thought I would share a brief snippet of what I have written. This is my favourite passage that I’ve written so far.”

By coincidence Clare McEwen wrote that she was excited that she had written 25,313 words in her book about Women’s Football. I will let her introduce herself.

“A Girl In Love With the Beautiful Game. Hi, I’m Clare and I fell in love with football when I was about 9-years-old. I’ll be honest, I don’t remember the exact moment the beautiful game touched my heart because that was nearly 40 years ago. But I do remember the moment I got my very own proper football. And the moment I put on my first pair of football boots (Golas for those who remember them). I was already in love with the game by then but these prizes sealed the deal. Now I’m writing a book on the history of women’s football so everyone knows how it has grown both in England and throughout the world. The stories, the struggles, the amazing women and men who fought against the governing bodies, defying bans, battling disrespect, and suffering abuse. “

More here

So Gareth and Clare new to the world of Dickens and Shakespeare but the the next two friends have both written multiple books each

Gary Thacker has just released his latest book O Jogo Bonito and Miguel Lourenço Pereira followed up with Bring me that Horizon

Obviously as a Gillingham fan, I am going to pimp Jim Norley’s great books

A couple of others I would like to highlight are Gavin Haigh’s definitive “Black and White Stripes”
and Stuart Kane’s book on the tragedy of Robin Friday.

Obviously we are fortunate to have so much written about “The Beautiful Game – O Jogo Bonito” and a couple of people I should spotlight again are Stanchion Books, Halcyon Publishing and Pitch Publishing for all things football, especially what I would call “non-mainstream”

Happy World Book Day