EPL Talk » Football Books

Book Review: The Global Game

Ethan Armstrong — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 15:25:51 +0000

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The Global Game – Writers on Soccer. Edited by John Turnbull, Thom Satterlee & Alon Raab. Bison Books. 296 pp. $19.95.

Living in the States, you are about as likely to find a good book about soccer/football right off the shelf at your local bookstore as you are to get Anne Hathaway’s phone number after bumping into her at your local pub.

Odds are if you want to read up about the beautiful game in long form, the internet and/or special ordering will likely enter into your acquisition process.

If a friend hadn’t shoved a tattered copy of Fever Pitch into my hands some years ago, I might not have known that good football writing was ever compiled and bound into anything longer than a few pages of magazine or internet article.

But once I’d thoroughly ingested Hornby’s book, I optimistically kept scanning the sports sections of my local bookstores, figuring something equally good might pop up to slake my literary football thirst.

And the other day I found a fresh fountain of quality. No amazon.com needed.

Nestled in between Beckham’s “autobiography” and The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Rock Climbing, I found a true gem: The Global Game – Writers on Soccer.

As the title suggests, it’s a compilation of short pieces from a variety of lovers of the sport. I quickly found the table of contents and scanned for recognizable names. Alas, I didn’t know any of the writers from the entire first part (1 of 5). The early pains of disheartenment took hold of my bookwormish enthusiasm. Was this worth getting? But as I flipped to the rundown of part 2, there were two entries that sealed my decision to buy the thing:

1.) A piece by one Elvis Costello entitled “Fretting while the Scarlet Tide Make History”… Was this one of my all-time favorite musicians commentating on my all-time favorite football club, Liverpool FC?? Costello is a famous Reds supporter. It had to be.

2.) A piece by one Charles Simic entitled “Dead Radio”… I was blessed with the great opportunity of studying poetry with Mr Simic when I was at university several years ago. I never realized we shared a love for the beautiful game until seeing his name in the table of contents of this book. I was understandably intrigued and eager to read my old mentor’s words on the subject.

Further perusal revealed pieces by Günter Grass, Ted Hughes, Gay Talese and Mario Vargas Llosa. And there were plenty of interesting titles from writers I’d never heard of as well, like: “Zidane and Me”.

Arranging myself in coffee shop with a cup of tea and my new find, I quickly flipped to Elvis Costello’s article. I’d never read his prose and I was interested to see if The Scarlet Tide referred to Liverpool FC. It did.

The piece is Costello’s description of trying to keep up with the eventful 2005 Istanbul Final while preparing for an immovable gig at the University of East Anglia. Like his best lyrics, his prose is crisp and poignant. We are there with him in a university common room as the anxiety of watching his beloved Liverpool go down 3-0 to Milan in the first half is too much and he almost starts the gig early, but Liverpool’s second half goals reinstated his belief. Still, by the time the penalty kicks began, he was into his set: “I tried my best to keep my eyes from the TV screen over the bar at the back of the room, but the words ‘Oh s***, he’s missed’ might have accidentally crept into the lyrics of ‘Good Year for the Roses.’”

He ends by mulling on the famous Bill Shankly quote (”Football isn’t a matter of life and death. It’s much more important than that”), and on the Heysel (”a shameful night in Belgium twenty years ago”) and Hillsborough disasters (”Some of those crimes were committed with words in newsprint, and they should never be forgotten or forgiven.”) Costello touches upon the tragedies briefly, yet the words are so measured and weighted, they sink deep despite (or perhaps because of) their brevity.

Speaking of brevity, Simic, a master of simple, beautiful prose, provides a short, satisfying recount of trying to listen to the 1950 World Cup match between his Yugoslavia and Brazil in his piece “Dead Radio”. Simic was 12 years old when Yugoslavia beat Mexico and Switzerland in the group stage before facing the host nation. But he had to sneak a listen:

“The games were broadcast past my bedtime, so officially I was supposed to be in bed and not huddled in our dark living room listening to the radio with the sound turned way down. My mother had absolutely no interest in football. When neighbors ran into the street shouting because of some great victory or threw their radios out of windows because their team had lost, she went around demanding what was wrong with everybody.”

Simic pretended to sleep and then sneaked to the radio for a listen. But it suddenly went dead. “I sat for a long, long time with my ear against a dead radio hoping for a miracle.” None came.

As with his poetry, Simic has the ability to pack almost the entire history of the world into any line about everyday life. The next day when he sees the newspaper headline of the match outcome: “What I saw shocked me as much as seeing a pile of rubble after a bombing raid where a building used to stand.” A refugee of the bombing of Belgrade from both sides in World War II, Simic knows this feeling well and how to use it to recreate the devastation a 12 year-old boy felt seeing that Brazil had beaten Yugoslavia 2-0.

These two are the gems of the heap for me. But the book is pregnant with fine writing throughout. “Zidane and Me” by Swiss author Phillipe Dubath, is written as a letter to the narrator’s wife, trying to explain the zest of football. It is full of brilliant, precise lines like: “They’re millionaires, but they pass the ball to each other just like the naked children of Africa’s bare fields.”

Günter Grass takes on the persona of Günter Guillaume who was jailed in 1974 (also the title of the piece) after being exposed as an East German spy. In prison, Grass’s Guillaume is allowed to watch Germany v Germany in the World Cup. But is tormented over who to root for and how to feel when the goal is scored.

There’s plenty more. But this piece has already burst well past its projected 500 words.

This wonderful book is testament to the beauty of our game. A world of aesthetically pleasing football has inspired a world of beautiful writing. Covering the simplest moments in everyday watching to the heavier political and social attachments that come with a sport which is so intrinsic to life in much of the world.

If you can find a copy of The Global Game at your local bookstore, scoop it up. Otherwise, it’s worth taking the other, electronic avenues in order to get a hold of it.

Meanwhile, I’m off to the pub to read some more and hope that Ms Hathaway wanders in. Hopefully before she wins her first Oscar. Then I feel she may be out of my league.

Makelele Blames Terry for Mourinho Exit

Brian Louie — Sat, 30 May 2009 06:43:37 +0000

Claude Makelele’s grit in Chelsea’s midfield and ability to play a quick pass made him the fitting example of the ‘Claude Makelele’ role, whatever that means. It’s even been said that he’s managed to define the holding midfield position as much as Franz Beckenbauer the sweeper role. And he’s now cashing in on the footballer bio.

Makelele may have been adored at Stamford Bridge, but perhaps not so much anymore. Maybe it’s an attempt to sell hardcovers, or perhaps there’s some sort of perceived slight from Chelsea’s brave captain John Terry on the former French international while he played under Jose Mourinho in London. Undoubtedly, it’s an attempt to remain relevant at the end of his career, as any bio indicates.

Whatever the reason, much like Ashley Cole’s revelation that Cesc Fabregas was the main perpetrator in Pizzagate, Makalele’s decided to heap the culpability for Jose Mourinho’s departure from Chelsea on JT’s broad shoulders.

Apparently, Terry was unhappy with Mourinho’s assessment of his performance in the wake of back problems and went to chief executive Peter Kenyon to issue a transfer request. And this is where the word ‘talisman’ comes in. In owner Roman Abramovich’s mind, that was JT and not Mourinho, and the Portuguese was out.

Understandably, this may have simply been the inevitable outcome when two egos as large as Mourinho’s and Abramovich’s inhabit the same club. The notion that Mourinho left Stamford Bridge via ‘mutual consent’ was always hardly believable, but even the outspoken Mourinho had to filter his comments regarding the billionaire owner; he is a Russian oligarch after all.

It’s easy to label this as more celebrity footballer heresy, a tactic to sell books. But it isn’t hard to believe that what Makalele says is true. While Mourinho and Abramovich may have built Chelsea into the contender they are today, they also built a cult of personality around their players. Even Makelele was one, having ‘defined’ his eponymous role, and Frank Lampard and John Terry were the biggest of the heroes.

John Terry has endured a long career at Chelsea. He may only be 28, but his body has endured the abuse that can age a man, due to beginning his first team career early and his selfless attitude on the pitch. He’s the first man for Chelsea to put his body on the line for the good of the side. But at some point the hero worship must get to every player, and I’m sure one of the highest-paid at Chelsea isn’t immune to believing his own hype. Like all top center-halves, his experience will extend his career, but even the best are falliable.

Perhaps it was the end of a whirlwind ride for Jose Mourinho at Chelsea. Perhaps the itch was already there for the charismatic manager, and the rest of Europe beckoned anyway. But you have to wonder if there was a legacy there for the taking for the Blues and Mourinho. Since his departure, it’s been nothing but heartache for fans and there’s a certain aura surrounding Chelsea, epitomized by their loss to Barcelona in the Champions League.

It’s hard not to see a group of overpaid, overblown egos, from Didier Drogba to Ashley Cole, and yes, perhaps even the selfless captain. Makelele also blames Mourinho for ruining the camaraderie of the dressing room at the Bridge, going to show that despite being a sport of men, it’s a world of little boys, all getting their feelings hurt. Guus Hiddink may have the opportunity to end his time at the club with the satisfaction of a cup win today, but Chelsea remain a pilot-less ship.

[ESPN, Daily Mail, Times]

Top 10 Soccer Gifts To Add To Your Holiday Wish List

The Gaffer — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 16:00:16 +0000

Depending where you live in this crazy world, it might be almost impossible to find soccer-related gifts in your local stores whether it’s for you or your loved ones. But the Internet is a great aggregator, bringing you a treasure trove of choices. Here are ten recommended soccer items to add to your wish list whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or any other holiday:

Inverting The Pyramid: The History Of Football Tactics. The first-ever comprehensive history of football tactics has already been critically acclaimed after being named to the short list for Sports Book Of The Year Award in England. Written by Guardian journalist Jonathan Wilson, the book is a must-read for fans interested in tactics. Order it today.
Boot slippers. Yes, slippers that look like football boots in the colors of Liverpool, Manchester United and other clubs and even countries like Argentina. They’re the perfect accompaniment for those early Saturday mornings when you watch the Premier League with coffee in hand.
England home shirt. With Fabio Capello having kicked England up the backside, now’s the time to fit yourself into a stylish England home shirt with being snickered at by those football fans who support Brazil, Italy or Argentina.
Bloody Confused. The book by Chuck Culpepper is fast becoming a must-have in the collections of soccer fans who follow the Premier League. Bloody Confused tells the true story of how an American sports journalist moves to England and falls in love with the fascinating game as well as an unlikely club. Order the book today. Or listen to my interview with Culpepper.
Fulhamerica T-shirt. With Clint Dempsey leading the charge, the number of Americans at Craven Cottage are dwindling but the American love affair with Fulham is still alive and well. Support Dempsey and the memories of Americans McBride, Bocanegra and Johnson with the Fulhamerica T-shirt.
Real soccer scarf. There’s something about football scarves that has more of an appeal than replica football shirts. Maybe it’s the tradition. Or perhaps it’s the pleasure of wearing something so comfortable wrapped around your neck or face in your club colors? Whatever the psychological reason, a scarf is a wonderful gift — especially those from Ruffneckwear that are high quality, made from the best materials and delivered with great customer service.
Worldwide Soccer Manager. Everton announced last week that they signed a deal to use Football Manager (aka Worldwide Soccer Manager in the States) to scout players, such is the value and authenticity placed on this game. Go one up on real football managers by ordering the game yourself.
Show your true colors. Every follower of the Premier League needs to have a replica jersey of a favorite team or a club you admire. Instead of searching around the Internet from store to store, the EPL Talk Shop offers the widest selection of Premier League shirts for all 20 EPL clubs. Visit the shop to browse the selection of shirts.
Slingbox. It’s incredible that I don’t hear Slingbox mentioned that many times in soccer circles. It should be on the tis of the tongues of most soccer fans. Simply, it allows you to watch your TV set from anywhere around the world. So if you’re on the road, at work, on vacation or in a different room in your house and you have access to your computer or Blackberry, you can log into your TV and watch live games as if you’re there — or watch games you’ve taped on DVR. The possibilities are mindblowing. Read my review of it from Euro 2008, or go ahead and learn more details about buying it.
EPL Talk T-Shirt. If you’ve enjoyed reading EPL Talk during the past year and you want to show your support, please order an official EPL Talk T-shirt. The shirt reads “For Hardcore Soccer Nuts Only: EPL Talk” and features an image of several players in a defensive wall covering their crown jewels. The shirt is 100% cotton, made by Hanes (excellent quality) and will soon be a collector’s item (only a few shirts remain before they’re all gone forever). Size L. Order today for $15.99 delivered to your door (in the United States).

Visit more holiday and Christmas gift ideas for soccer fans including stocking stuffers, gift certificates and soccer gear for you and your loved ones.

Best New Football Books To Add To Your Holiday Wish List

The Gaffer — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 13:27:42 +0000

Other than a few soccer blogs and a handful of literate newspapers, there isn’t a plenitude of intelligent football writing available. But there is one last bastion that we can continue to depend on and that’s football books.

A good way to find out which books to buy are to find the ones nominated for the William Hill Sports Book Of The Year. The 2008 nominations have been announced and they include the following football books:

“Black And Blue: How Racism, Drugs And Cancer Almost Destroyed Me” by Paul Canoville, who was Chelsea’s first black first-team player when he made his debut in 1982.
“A Cultured Left Foot: The Eleven Elements Of Football Greatness” by Musa Okwonga.
“Bamboo Goalposts: One Man’s Quest To Teach The People’s Republic Of China To Love Football” by Rowan Simons.
“Inverting The Pyramid: The History Of Football Tactics” by Jonathan Wilson

The winner will be announced on November 24. But in reality, all of the above books are winners. If you’re looking for a perfect Christmas present for the football fan in your house, order one or more of the above books online. Some of them are available via Amazon.com for readers in North America.