2022 World Cup – Saturday 26 & Sunday 27 November

Group B: Wales 0 (0) – (0) 2 Iran (Ahmad bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan)

Iran scorers: Cheshmi (90’+8’), Rezaeian (90’+11’)

The Welsh will say that the sending-off of ‘keeper Wayne Hennessey with four minutes remaining was the turning point in this game, but the harsh truth is that Iran were the better side even before the red card. Gareth Bale had a quiet game and all in all it was a nervy and lacklustre performance from a side known for its passion and fighting qualities. Was there a touch of complacency on the part of the Wales team? Were they too focused on saying what they are going to do to England without dealing with the game in front of them? Whatever the reason, Wales are now in real danger of being on an early flight home.

 

Group A: Qatar 1 (0) – (1) 3 Senegal (Al Thumama Stadium, Doha)

Qatar scorer: Muntari (78′). Senegal scorers: Dia (41′), Diedhiou (48′), Dieng (84′).

Thankfully the results in Group A today meant that the hosts are out. What was telling yet again was the sight of ‘fans’ hitting the exits at half-time. Proof if needed that there is no appetite for the game in the country. I just hope those who voted for Qatar enjoy their thirty pieces of silver. It’s a tournament doing nothing for the game except bringing controversy.

 

Group A: Netherlands 1 (1) – (0) 1 Ecuador (Khalifa International Stadium, Al Rayyan)

Netherlands scorer: Gakpo (6′). Ecuador scorer: E Valencia (49′)

The Dutch have been deeply criticised by their own media and pundits back home and this display showed why. They scored early in this game through Cody Gakpo with a powerful strike but then struggled therein after although credit must go to spirited Ecuador side. The South American’s will have felt slightly aggrieved that they had a first half goal struck off, with the decision that a player was in an offside position and in the ‘keepers eye-line. However, they were level soon after a Enner Valencia scored his third of this tournament with a tap-in and could have gone ahead when a Gonzalo Plata effort rattled the crossbar. All to play for in the final round of games, with the Netherlands, Ecuador and Senegal battling for the two places to progress.

 

Group B: England 0 (0) – (0) 0 USA (Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor)

It was mentioned more than once in commentary that this was a mirror of the Euros when England drew 0-0 with Scotland in their second group game. Then as now it was a poor  performance, but it meant the Three Lions have their destiny in their own hands when they face Wales next week. This was a return to the disappointing displays of this summer and once again dissenting voices questioned Gareth Southgate’s tactic and substitutions during this encounter. Credit though to the USA for getting their tactics right and more than deserving a point.

 

Group D: Tunisia 0 (0) – (1) 1 Australia (Al Janoub Stadium, Al Wakrah)

Australia scorer: Duke (23′)

Whilst driving I caught the last 15 minutes of this game on the radio, and it sounded all Tunisia and only some superb defending and solid goalkeeping from Mat Ryan preserved their clean sheet and enabled the Aussies to claim the win thanks to a deft header in the first half thanks to Mitchell Duke. Australia know that victory over the Danes in their final game would guarantee a place in the last sixteen.

 

Group C: Poland 2 (1) – (0) 0 Saudi Arabia (Education City Stadium, Al Rayyan)

Poland scorers: Zielinski (39′), Lewandowski (82′)

By the time I arrived at my destination (Long Eaton United v Pontefract Collieries) this game was already underway, and despite the fact that the fixture was on various screens, their seemed little appetite for the action, which is a shame given from the highlights it looked a bit of a cracker with chances and incidents galore. Whilst 2-0 looks a solid win, it tells nothing of the Saudi’s attacking threat and some great saves from Wojciech Szczesny in the Polish goal including an excellent penalty save at the end of the first half. Robert Lewandowski scored late on to seal the points and take Poland top of the group.

 

Group D: France 2 (0) – (0) 1 Denmark (Stadium 974, Doha)

France scorer: Mbappe (61′, 86′). Denmark scorer: Christensen (68′)

France secured the win and a place in the last sixteen with a late win in an entertaining encounter. Les Bleus dominated the first forty-five but couldn’t finish any of the chances they created. It took until just after the hour to go ahead from Mbappe which spurned Denmark into action and indeed they levelled on sixty-eight minutes. Both sides had chances to win it but with four minutes remaining it was the World Champions who claimed the win with Mbappa bundling in at the post for his and France’s second goal.

 

Group C: Argentina 2 (0) – (0) 0 Mexico (Lusail Iconic Stadium, Lusail)

Argentina scorers: Messi (64′), Fernandez (87′)

After the shock defeat to Saudi Arabia, Argentina knew that nothing but a victory would be enough against Mexico. Given that pressure it was perhaps not surprising that this was best described as a cagey game. It took two smart finishes from Messi and Fernandez to see off the spirited Mexicans. Poland await Argentina in the final game of the group stage, whilst Mexico play Saudi Arabia will the group wide open.

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2022 World Cup – Tuesday 22 November 2022

Group B: England 6 (3) – (0) 2 Iran (Khalifa International Stadium, Al Rayyan)

England scorers: Bellingham (35′), Saka (43′, 62′), Sterling (45’+1’), Rashford (71′), Grealish (90′)

Iran scorers: Taremi (65′, 90’+13’ pen)

 

Group A: Senegal 0 (0) – (0) 2 Netherlands (Al Thumama Stadium, Doha)

Netherlands scorers: Gakpo (84′), Klaassen (90’+9’)

 

Group B: USA 1 (1) – (0) 1 Wales (Ahmad bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan)

USA scorer: Weah (36’) Wales scorer: Bale (82’ pen)

 

So what of day two of the World Cup? England romped to victory over Iran, Netherlands scored two late goals to see off Senegal and of course Gareth Bale rescued a point for Wales against the USA.

The Three Lions victory was quite astonishing given the often pragmatic approach Gareth Southgate’s team have adopted in their tournament games. However, it was a bright and breezy attacking performance from England’s young guns in Jude Bellingham and Bukayo Sako which set the team on the way to three points. There was our old friend VAR which had an interesting day. Harry Maguire was man-handled at a first-half corner with no penalty awarded and no VAR check. Fast forward to time added on in the second half and a shirt pull saw a penalty for Iran. If that really was worthy of a penalty then in reality there would be a spot-kick awarded at every corner kick. Just where is the consistency with the technology?

I’m genuinely struggling to get into this tournament. I did watch the England game but really with only half an eye as I was working in my laptop and didn’t even tune in for the other two games of the day.

To add to my down mood…the pressure from FIFA, i.e. yellow cards for players, if wearing the One Love armbands. Disappointing that FIFA resorted to this and that the various nations bowed to the pressure. Well done to Alex Scott for wearing one though whilst presenting though. Another unacceptable situation from the day – the most expensive World Cup ever and the ticketing system and associated app failed for fans crashes leaving them unable to gain entry to the stadiums and missing part of the game.

Today’s games:

GROUP C: Argentina v Saudi Arabia

Argentina are amongst the favourites for this tournament and its not difficult to see why with the talent of Messi, Martinez and Di Maria in their ranks. A World Cup win would be a fitting end to Messi’s international career. Yes, the La Albiceleste have in the past have suffered opening game shocks – 1990 against Cameroon springs to mind, but it would be a major surprise if this was not a routine win for the two-time World Champions.

GROUP D: Denmark v Tunisia

Whilst Christian Ericksen has been back playing for his country since his horrific collapse at the Euros, this will be the first time as such back on the World stage in a major tournament. No doubt the Dane will take it all in his stride, and he will hope to be the spark against Tunisia who are appearing at their sixth World Cup. Whilst many of the Danish squad will be familiar to fans in the UK, the Tunisian squad is one spread across the globe. One name to look out for is Hannibal Mejbri, the youngster on loan at Birmingham City from Manchester United. A difficult one to call and a draw possibly on the cards.

GROUP C: Mexico v Poland

A South America v Europe clash concludes the opening games in Group C. Mexico qualified as CONCACAF third round runners-up with Poland coming through as UEFA play-offs Path B winners. For those looking for Premier League connections in the Mexican squad, then there is Raul Jimenez at Wolves, whilst for Poland, the Aston Villa pair of Matty Cash and Jan Bednarek (on-loan from Southampton) are joined by Krystian Bielik of Derby County, currently on-loan at Championship side Birmingham City. Of course the focus will be on the prolific striker, Polish captain Robert Lewandowski, who has had a sterling start to his career at Barcelona. These two have met in the 1978 World Final Group Stages, with Poland winning 3-1 in Argentina. Would be a surprise if there was a similar result today, in a game Poland may well nick through a Lewandowski winner.

GROUP D: France v Australia

Current World Champions France take on Australia who came through winning the AFC v CONMEBOL play-off against Peru winning 5-4 on penalties. The Aussies have six players plying their trade in Scotland – Nathaniel Atkinson, Kye Rowles, Cameron Devlin (all Hearts), Aziz Behich (Dundee United), Aaron Mooy (Celtic) and Keanu Baccus (St Mirren). The teams met at the last World Cup in the Group Stages. France went ahead through Antoine Griezmann only for Mile Jedinak to level, but Les Bleus won 2-1 with Paul Pogba getting the winner. The French will hope this is a good omen and a similar win to 2018 could well be on the cards.

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2022 World Cup – Monday 21 November 2022

The BBC were first out the blocks showing live the opening game of the competition and the hour before the first game was unlike any other build-up I’d witnessed for previous World Cups. The first thirty minutes were more akin to a political programme, as the show provided background and context from the awarding of the hosting to Qatar in 2010 whilst also highlighting the issues around the  regarding Qatar’s stance on same-sex relationships, its human rights record and treatment of migrant workers. Whilst some will have not favoured the handling of this, I genuinely believe that it was the right thing to do, in continuing to air the issues. To ignore what has and is going on and simply focus on the football as if nothing happened would be trite. Indeed, the Opening Ceremony was not shown on the main BBC1 coverage, an indication that there was a desire no to show what might be considered propaganda. This certainly didn’t feel like a celebration of the game or indeed the tournament to come.

FIFA bangs on about football being for everyone, but as pundit Alex Scott highlighted, Qatar is a venue where not every section of society is welcome.

Group A: Qatar 0 (0) – (2) 2 Ecuador

Scorers: E Valencia (16′ pen, 31′)

Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor

An inauspicious start for the hosts, not just on, but off the pitch. As the PA announcer tried to whip up the crowd with a countdown to kick-off from 10 to 1, the game started with the crowd not even getting down to a count of four. Not a great start.

Then on the pitch it was evident that Ecuador were too strong from the off. It looked like Enner Valencia had given the South American’s a lead after three minutes, only for VAR to come up with an offside that sums up why this equipment, its use and interpretation are making a farce of the game.

However, it wasn’t long before Valencia and Ecuador had the goal they deserved. Saad Al Sheeb the Qatar ‘keeper who has looked vulnerable in the melee that preceded the disallowed goal, then gave away a penalty just after the quarter of an hour mark, bringing down Valencia. The Fenerbahce forward dusted himself down and calmly slotted home the spot-kick. Ecuador dominated possession and it was no surprise when they scored a second on thirty one minutes, with Valencia beautifully heading home Preciado’s stunning cross. Qatar under the cosh and struggling.

They made it to the break just the two goals down and didn’t concede any further in a very flat second period. Ecuador took their foot off the gas as the game became a training ground stroll and the atmosphere wasn’t helped as many ‘fans’ left at half-time and on the hour mark. At the whistle it was three points to Ecuador and more pain one presumes to come for Qatar with fixtures against Senegal and the Netherlands remaining in the group.

My prediction of a 0-0, well it was truly off the mark – no surprise there given my record down the years!

Group B: England v Iran (Khalifa International Stadium, Al Rayyan)

Qualification route:

England – UEFA Group I winners

Iran – Asian Football Conference (AFC) third round Group A winners

Form (last three games):

14 June (UEFA Nations League A) England 0–4 Hungary   [Wolverhampton Wanderers FC, England]

23 September (UEFA Nations League A) Italy 1–0 England [Milan, Italy]

26 September (UEFA Nations League A) England 3–3 Germany [Wembley Stadium]

 

27 September (Friendly) Iran 1–1 Senegal [Maria Enzersdorf, Austria]

10 November (Friendly) Iran 1–0 Nicaragua [Tehran, Iran]

16 November (Friendly) Iran 0–2 Tunisia [Doha, Qatar]

Preview:

I’m old enough to remember the awful starts that the Three Lions have in the Group stages of major competitions down the years. This on paper is another potential banana skin. The Nations League relegation and fears over the teams defensive capabilities don’t do anything to calm the nerves and therefore it will be interesting to see how England approach this game.

The Iranian squad contains a sprinkling of players from around the European leagues and should not be taken lightly. Those looking for a Premier League link in the Iranian squad can find it with Brentford’s midfielder Saman Ghoddos. Ghoddos was born in Sweden to Iranian parents and made two appearances for them in friendly internationals in 2017 against the Ivory Coast and Slovakia. However, he made the switch to Iran later that year and has been part of the squad since. Additionally there is Carlos Queiroz the Iranian coach who had spells at Manchester United.

Of course my heart wants this to be a comfortable and stress free victory, but my head tells me that this could be a tight one with England nicking a 1-0 win.

Group A: Senegal v Netherlands (Al Thumama Stadium, Doha)

Qualification route:

Senegal – Confederation of African Football (CAF) third round winners

Netherlands  – UEFA Group G winners

Form (last three games):

17 July (COSAFA Cup 3rd-place match) Mozambique 1–1 (2–4 p) Senegal [Durban, South Africa]

24 September (Friendly) Bolivia 0–2 Senegal [Orléans, France]

27 September (Friendly) Iran 1–1 Senegal [Maria Enzersdorf, Austria]

 

14 June (UEFA Nations League) Netherlands 3–2 Wales [Rotterdam, Netherlands]

22 September (UEFA Nations League) Poland 0–2 Netherlands (Warsaw, Poland}

25 September (UEFA Nations League) Netherlands 1–0 Belgium [Amsterdam, Netherlands]

Preview:

Senegal nicknamed the Lions of Teranga are appearing in their third World Cup finals, having reached the Quarter-Finals in 2002 going out to Turkey 1-0 AET but not making it out of the group stages in Russia in 2018. Their squad is littered with players plying their trade in England including Chelsea duo, Edouard Mendy and Kalidou Koulibaly, Idrissa Gueye (Everton), Nampalys Mendy (Leicester City) and Nottingham Forest’s Cheikhou Kouyate. However, the squad were dealt a major blow when Sadio Mane withdrew injured before the tournament started.

The Dutch are a squad packed with stars from across Europe and follow in the tradition of the Oranje sides of yesteryear, who have got to three finals in 1974, 1978 and 2010 but have yet to lift the trophy. The Netherlands could be dark horses in this competition, and I expect them to start off with a victory by a single goal.

Group B: USA v Wales (Ahmad bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan)

Qualification route:

USA – Confederation of African Football (CAF) third round winners

Wales  – UEFA Group G winners

Form (last three games):

14 June (CONCACAF Nations League) El Salvador 1–1 USA [San Salvador, El Salvador]

23 September (Friendly) Japan 2–0 USA [Dusseldorf, Germany]

27 September (Friendly) Saudi Arabia 0–0 United States [Murcia, Spain]

 

14 June (UEFA Nations League) Netherlands 3–2 Wales [Rotterdam, Netherlands]

22 September (Nations League) Belgium 2–1 Wales [Brussels, Belgium]

25 September (Nations League) Wales 0–1 Poland [Cardiff, Wales]

Preview:

As a Fulham fan its great to see the Whites represented by the defensive duo of Antonee Robinson and Tim Ream. West London is also represented by Chelsea forward Christian Pulisic, and further representative from the English capital in Arsenal’s goalkeeper Matt Turner. Drawn in with England and Iran as well as Wales, the USA will fancy their chances of progression

The story around Wales centres on their talisman Gareth Bale and the fact that the last time the Welsh qualified was in 1958. As with the USA, Wales also include two Fulham players in their squad, in Harry Wilson and loanee Dan James.

Could be the first draw of the tournament in a cagey encounter.

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OVER THE LINE: A HISTORY OF THE ENGLAND V GERMANY FOOTBALL RIVALRY by Alexander M Gross

The history of the fierce football rivalry between England and Germany is encapsulated in a single moment – Geoff Hurst’s extra-time shot off the crossbar in the 1966 FIFA World Cup Final and the decision of an infamous Russian linesman to award a goal.

It is a rivalry that now spans more than 90 years since the first official match between the two nations.

For the English, a series of high-profile defeats at major tournaments saw Germany become the Angstgegner (Nemesis) on the field, as well as an enduring obsession for the national press.

For Germans, Wembley still represents the home of football, where the memories of 1966 have been supplanted by numerous successes and the appropriation of the English anthem ‘football’s coming home’.

The rivalry has long crossed the lines of the football field, with the two nations at various moments forced to admire and learn from each other, and with football encounters between England and Germany repeatedly marking important developments in a unique and ever-changing political and cultural relationship.

(Publisher: Pitch Publishing Ltd. September 2022. Hardcover: 240 pages)

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GET SHIRTY: THE RISE & FALL OF ADMIRAL SPORTSWEAR by Andy Wells

A long-awaited labour of love from Andy Wells, director of the brilliant ITV documentary. GET SHIRTY is the definitive, lavishly illustrated account of the untold Admiral story, featuring 250 images of rare kits, unseen behind-the-scenes photos, cult collectables and period catalogues.

Back in the 1970s, a small Midlands underwear firm changed football forever when they won the contract as England’s kit supplier. Admiral Sportswear’s bold designs and branding were controversial at the time but helped pioneer today’s multi-billion-pound sportswear industry. It was Admiral that invented the replica football strip and revolutionised the worlds of football finance and street fashion alike – before their colourful empire finally came crashing down around them.

Drawing on hours of previously unheard interviews and years of research, it reveals the true stories behind Coventry City’s infamous chocolate-brown strip and England’s disastrous kit fiasco at the 1982 World Cup finals. Read about Admiral’s Wales international shirt bonfire, Manchester United’s laundry scandal – and the deals that got away, including the prototype Liverpool kit that saw Bill Shankly clash with directors at Liverpool.

(Publisher: Conker Editions Ltd. September 2022. Paperback: 200 pages)

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Book Review – In the Heat of the Midday Sun: The Indelible Story of the 1986 World Cup by Steven Scragg

In the Introduction to In the Heat of the Midday Sun, Steven Scragg puts forward, a theory “that you’re chemically wired to your first World Cups.”

My first memories are as an eight-year old when on holiday in Torquay during the summer of 1970 and the World Cup in Mexico. I don’t recall the games as such and all my memories centre on the England v West Germany Quarter-Final and the infamous 3-2 loss. To my eyes and ears all the shops and hotels seemed awash with England squad pictures and Union Jack flags in their windows and the sound of ‘Back Home’ the England World Cup song ever present. I was still two years from attending my first ever game ‘live’ but remember everyone in the hotel we were staying at crowding round the television and the resulting disappointment as World Cup holders, England exited the competition despite leading 2-0 at one point.

Given that for me my first real World Cup was the one held in West Germany in 1974. A tournament of just 16 teams, with four groups of four, with the top two progressing to a further mini-league each containing four teams, with the winners of each meeting in the Final. Memories that are still so clear in my mind include the huge thunderstorms that affected a number of games, a meeting between East and West Germany, Scotland not losing a game but exiting on goal-difference, the beauty and brutality of the Netherlands 2-0 win over Brazil, the birth of the Cruyff turn in the game against Sweden, and the bitter disappointment that the Dutch didn’t lift the newly designed trophy.

And on that basis for me, as Scragg’s theory suggests, those 1970 and 1974 burn more brightly and more special, even taking into account England’s Semi-Final appearances in Italia ’90 and Russia in 2018.

For Scragg, whilst he admits that 1982 is his favourite World Cup, he sees 1986 in Mexico “in his mind as the last great World Cup” and in the books Introduction, he cites his reasons why each of the tournaments since 1998 “has lost a little bit more of its shine”. With Qatar 2022 on the horizon Scragg opines, “I’m not sure that FIFA will ever fully recover its composure.” Only time will tell.

The reality is that the World Cup in 1986 wasn’t supposed to be held in Mexico and Chapter One, details how in typical murky FIFA tradition, Colombia was chosen as the host country for the thirteenth staging of the competition. With Columbia withdrawing in 1982 unable to finance the hosting, a shortlist was drawn up involving Mexico, the USA and Canada (who in 2026 will joint-host the tournament). With more sleight of hand from FIFA, Mexico landed the prize becoming the first country to host two World Cups.

One of the great things about Scragg’s excellent books to date (A Tournament Frozen in Time: The Wonderful Randomness of the European Cup Winners’ Cup, Where the Cool Kids Hung Out: The Chic Years of the UEFA Cup and The Undisputed Champions of Europe: How the Gods of Football Became European Royalty) is that that never run in an orthodox, simple timeline approach, with his research and ability to look from a different angle making them engaging for the reader.

1970 World Cup Panini sticker album

So within In the Heat of the Midday Sun, before he gets down to the business of the 1986 tournament, he takes readers on a wonderful aside as he describes the joy (with all the enthusiasm of the 12 year old Scragg was back in 1986) of looking at a completed Panini sticker album. These albums have been a staple for football fans since their first outing in 1970 and many of us have uncompleted versions from our childhood World Cups (this reader included!).

This is followed by a third chapter, The Hand of God, where Scragg makes the interesting point that to fully appreciate the 1986 World Cup, the infamous first goal from England’s defeat to Argentina has to be taken out of the equation. However, this is monumentally difficult because as the author observes, “it’s the defining image of the 1986 World Cup finals and it’s perhaps even the most distinguishing aspect of the entire history of the tournament stretching back to is very inception in 1930.” And we know that once the global audience is focused on Qatar later in 2022, the footage will once again be rolled out.

With these first three chapters out of the way, Scragg gets down to the tournament itself and takes an interesting path in the remaining fifteen. Rather than simply take it match-by-match as the games were played, he focuses on the teams as they were knocked out of the competition. In doing so, Scragg demonstrates his extensive research skills and tells the stories of all the participants, their path to qualification and their eventual exit from the tournament until Argentina are left as victors lifting the trophy for the second time, eight tears after first victory in their homeland.

Scragg is wonderfully able to conjure up the atmosphere of the time, such as the sweltering heat and the strange sounding commentary, always with a seemingly faraway echo, that accompanied the television images, but also some very specific things which take us back to watching certain games. From the England v Argentina Quarter-Final Scragg details the following, “a match was played out…on 22 June 1986, the midday sun blazing high in the sky, that spidery shadow lurking ominously in the centre circle.” Reading it I was instantly transferred back to watching the game at my local cricket club – a small well observed detail sparking that memory.

Ultimately this is a book which truly reflects Scragg’s joy and boyhood enthusiasm at watching the 1986 tournament and indeed comes across in every page. A tournament which despite the Hand of God goal, has a naivety and innocence that you sense won’t be felt in the 2022 version in Qatar.

(Publisher: Pitch Publishing Ltd. May 2022. Hardcover: 352 pages)

 

Buy the book here: Mexico 1986

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COCKER HOOP: THE BIOGRAPHY OF LES COCKER, KEY MAN FOR RAMSEY AND REVIE by Robert Endeacott and Dave Cocker

Cocker Hoop is the authorised biography of football coaching great Les Cocker. A tenacious and resilient forward, Cocker played for two clubs: Stockport County (196 games, 48 goals) and Accrington Stanley (130 games, 50 goals) before retiring in 1958 to move into coaching.

As one of the first recipients of full coaching badges at England’s Lilleshall, he established himself as a supreme trainer and coach for Leeds United and helped build a famous footballing dynasty alongside Don Revie. His rising reputation attracted the FA’s attention, and Cocker helped the England team achieve their pinnacle success in 1966.

Filled with interviews, anecdotes and revelations from throughout Cocker’s career, Cocker Hoop brings us a personal portrait of the great man and is co-written by his son Dave Cocker and sportswriter and novelist Robert Endeacott.

 

(Publisher: Pitch Publishing Ltd. July 2022. Hardcover: 256 pages)

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IN THE HEAT OF THE MIDDAY SUN: THE INDELIBLE STORY OF THE 1986 WORLD CUP by Steven Scragg

In the Heat of the Midday Sun is a love letter to the 1986 World Cup.

A tournament viewed via the shimmering satellite images of an age before the dawn of high-definition coverage – which was introduced four years later, at Italia ’90 – it was the last World Cup where the commentaries sounded like they were broadcast from the surface of the moon.

Mexico took on the tournament after Colombia failed to deliver on their host candidature, relinquishing the rights in 1983. With a devastating Mexico City earthquake just eight months before the big kick-off, it was a miracle that the Estadio Azteca was still able to be the venue of Diego Maradona’s greatest and most infamous hours.

As well as Argentina’s most gifted son, Mexico ’86 was blessed by the presence of Socrates, Platini, Francescoli, Butragueno, Belanov and Elkjaer to name but a few of the icons on display.

This is the story of an evocative World Cup that seemed to be held together by Sellotape.

(Publisher: Pitch Publishing Ltd. May 2022. Hardcover: 352 pages)

 

Read our review here: In the Heat of the Midday Sun

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HERO IN THE SHADOWS: THE STORY OF DON HOWE, ENGLAND’S GREATEST COACH by David Tossell

Don Howe is one of English football’s great coaches, with an unrivalled record at international and club level.

As right-hand man to three England managers, he helped his country to the 1990 World Cup and Euro 96 semi-finals. He helped to steer them through the 1982 World Cup unbeaten and to the quarter-finals four years later. Howe masterminded the 1970/71 double at Arsenal, where two spells as coach also brought European and further FA Cup glory. He was also an integral part of one of the greatest Wembley upsets when he helped Wimbledon’s ‘Crazy Gang’ to victory over the mighty Liverpool in 1988.

As a player at West Bromwich Albion, Howe won 24 international caps, but as a manager he failed to achieve the success he craved. Yet over a three-decade period, he won acclaim from many of England’s finest players as a genius of the coaching profession.

Through interviews with players, colleagues, friends and family, this book examines the triumphs and challenges of Don Howe’s career and assesses his contribution to English football.

(Publisher: Pitch Publishing Ltd. April 2022. Hardcover: 336 pages)

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CHEERS, TEARS AND JEERS: A HISTORY OF ENGLAND AND THE WORLD CUP by Gary Thacker

Winning the World Cup in 1966 was the high watermark in the history of the England national football team. Both before and after The Day, however, the Three Lions have a chequered history in the world’s biggest footballing event. This book seeks to chart a path through that history, stopping for contemplation at various points on the way. It’s a journey full of highs and lows, with memories both golden and tarnished, and an occasional dip into some iconic games and events where England weren’t involved.

Completed ahead of the World Cup Finals of 2018, the book offers an account of the story up until that event. How will England fare in Russia? Only time will tell, but perhaps a review of the history up until that time may give an indication as to why it ended up as it did. It’s a tale of smiles and frowns, of joys and sorrow, and indeed of Cheers, Tears and Jeers. It’s the history of England and the World Cup.

(Publisher: Austin Macauley Publishers. April 2018. Paperback: 495 pages)

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