FOOTBALL SHORTS
An innovative series of personal stories on the game by top writers
Now available for pre-order! Out November 18th
Through eight years of weird tumult, one modest and bearded Englishman embodied decency and tried to keep us happy and sane. He wasn’t bad at being a football manager either…
After the national team’s nadir of defeat by Iceland at Euro 2016, Gareth Southgate woke England, reimagining, re-energising and taking them to a World Cup semi-final and two Euro finals. A nation rejoiced.
Well, some of the time. For still there was criticism; of being ‘woke’, for seeking to step beyond sporting boundaries and make the nation proud of its modern diversity. And for the tactics - born of being an England defender himself - that were ultimately deemed by some as too cautious.
In Excerpts from a New England, acclaimed author David Winner (Brilliant Orange, Those Feet, Dennis Bergkamp: Stillness and Speed) places Southgate’s enlightenment, achievements and legacy in the context of a period of political, social and cultural upheaval.
The result is a perceptive and wry analysis of an exceptional man and a turbulent era.
SPECIAL 3 FOR 2 INTRODUCTORY OFFER!
All 3 Football Shorts 2023 books signed for just £20 (plus £3.99 p&p)
Blue was the Colour by Andy Hamilton: Telling of his lifelong support for Chelsea, Blue was the Colour is smart and engaging, just like the TV series Andy wrote with Guy Jenkin, Drop the Dead Donkey and Outnumbered. A wise and witty analysis of modern football, it will have fans and readers laughing out loud and nodding in agreement.
The Homecoming by Jane Purdon: Jane has written a passionate, heartfelt account of the summer of 2022, when the Lionesses dazzled the nation and brought football home. Alongside is her personal story of falling in love with the game aged seven growing up in Sunderland and becoming an activist, administrator and leader, most recently as CEO of Women in Football.
Pantomime Hero by Ian Ridley: Ian tells of the touchstone time when Jimmy Armfield took over as manager at Leeds after Brian Clough’s ill-fated 44 days and came up with a unique and innovative idea to restore the morale of a club tearing itself apart. He also describes a friendship forged through the bonds of cancer with an England captain and national treasure broadcaster.
A New Partnership
Sports book publishers Pitch Publishing and Floodlit Dreams are delighted to announce an exciting partnership to create an innovative new collection of books under the banner Football Shorts.
Pitch Publishing and Floodlit Dreams will be publishing three books a year of around 30,000 words each by high quality writers telling personal stories about aspects of football and its characters, and the effect of the game on their own lives. The series will be curated by Floodlit Dreams founder Ian Ridley.
Three more great Football Shorts for 2024 all signed for just £25
January 22nd: Double Acts by Julie Welch
Written exquisitely by the doyenne of football writers and Spurs expert Julie Welch, Double Acts is packed with insight, anecdotes and the recollections of legendary players, managers and supporters. The result is a revealing and exhilarating new perspective on Tottenham’s rich modern history.
May 20th: Namaste, Geezer by Shekhar Bhatia
Veteran journalist Shekhar Bhatia’s memoir of growing up in East London as a football fan of Asian heritage - and having to run from the racist elements among the fans of the team he supports.
November 18th: Excerpts from a new England by David Winner
Award-winning writer David Winner (Brilliant Orange, Those Feet) trains his analytical eye on Gareth Southgate and the way he woke England. Takes in Euro ‘24 in Germany.
Marlborough Literature Festival
Our first three Football Shorts authors - Ian Ridley, Jane Purdon and Andy Hamilton - made an enjoyable and productive trip to Wiltshire for the Marlborough Lit Fest, talking about their books and the series.
It was a good mid-morning slot on the Sunday, with the former England cricket captain Mike Brearley preceding our session and the amazing children's author Frank Cottrell Boyce following.
Host Ben Tarring of The Guardian presided over a lively discussion about the books themselves and a probing question and answer session with a good-sized audience about the state of modern football, men's and women's.
We are grateful for the good sales from the signing session afterwards and to the Festival for inviting us.
Picture by Ben Phillips
Twitter: @phillips_ben Instagram: @benphillipsphoto
