Kirjahaku

The Great Uncrowned: Football's Most Celebrated Losers is the story of football's ultimate bridesmaids, those clubs that were good enough to win the major prizes but, for various reasons, didn't. In an age when victory is all too often viewed as the be all and end all, this book celebrates the teams that were beaten by bad luck, limited resources or an outstanding set of players. From early 20th-century runners-up from Lancashire and Wales to flamboyant teams from Europe and South America, near-misses can be found anywhere in the world. Some have been forgotten, pushed aside by the elitist nature of modern football. Others have passed into history and are rarely revisited. As well as reviving the exploits of great players and impressive teams, The Great Uncrowned also provides context around the development and social position of each side and asks if football needs a structure that provides more winners and fewer losers.

The Summer of Total Football: The 1974 World Cup captures the mood of a memorable 24 days in the early 1970s as the balance of footballing power shifted.Throughout history, the World Cup has often discovered ‘people’s champions’ that do not become tournament winners, such as the Netherlands in 1974. Beaten by the host nation, West Germany, the Dutch captivated the crowds at WM74, spearheaded by their captain, Johan Cruyff. This was supposed to be Cruyff’s World Cup and right up until the final, he demonstrated why. But West Germany, who were galvanised by their own talisman, Franz Beckenbauer, had other ideas. Initially burdened by being the home team, they improved as the tournament progressed and refused to be overawed by the Dutch. The indomitable spirit of West Germany, which characterised their style in the decades after 1974, came to the fore as they won their second World Cup.This was the World Cup of ‘Total Football’, a style of play that was progressive and versatile, and is revered to this day.

Journey into the Unknown explores the early years and development of pan-European football competition alongside changing British attitudes to overseas teams.There was once a belief in Britain that England and Scotland were among the leaders in the development of football and therefore de facto champions of the game. But when UEFA introduced a competition for Europe’s top clubs, the Brits got a rude shock. It soon became clear that sides like Real Madrid, AC Milan and Benfica possessed more technically gifted players, and that Football League clubs had much to learn.This fascinating book:Examines the development of pan-European football competitions, from the Mitropa Cup and Latin Cup to the introduction of the European Cup in 1955Explores the reluctance of England to get involved, from the stand-off with FIFA to the Football League denying Chelsea the chance to enter the first European CupCovers Scotland’s early adventures, with Hibernian the first club to play in European competition and Rangers making early stridesLooks at Manchester United’s early years in Europe, ending with the Munich tragedy in 1958, including Sir Matt Busby’s role in encouraging British involvementIncludes how Europe influenced clubs like Tottenham Hotspur, the first English trophy in 1963, Celtic’s success in 1967 and Manchester United winning the European Cup in 1968, Cup Winners’ Cup successes and Liverpool’s domination of EuropeTurns the spotlight on British xenophobia and the threat of playing abroad, with violence on and off the pitch and suggestions of cheatingDiscover how European club competition became an exciting spectacle that opened the football community’s eyes to just what was possible. Scotland and England gained a foothold in Europe, but things took a disastrous turn with the Heysel Stadium tragedy in 1985.