
A Random History of Football
Colin Murray(Author)
Orion (an Imprint of The Orion Publishing Group Ltd )
Published on 1. October 2009
Book
Hardback
272 pages
978-1-4091-1290-7 (ISBN)
Description
Nowadays a top Premiership football club can spend 50 million on a Portuguese pin-up or a legendary Italian goalkeeper, but you cannot take into account the effects of a dodgy takeaway meal, a dropped bottle of aftershave on a goalkeeper's toe, or the fact that your most creative player has to leave town because of a chance drunken encounter with another player's wife. It is these random moments that have shaped football as much as the headline-grabbing Cantona kung fu kick and that Russian linesman in 1966. Along the meandering paths of this witty alternative history of the world's most popular game, you will learn: * Different sizes of football were used in each half of the inaugural World Cup Final of 1930. * The first England defeat was not that famous 6-3 home defeat in 1953 by Hungary but was in Madrid against Spain back in 1929 (4-3). * After penalty kicks were introduced in 1891, the Corinthian Casuals goalkeeper would stand idly by his post to allow the ball into his goal unhindered, such was the stigma of conceding a penalty.
From the height of international football to the scandal of the Conference league Christmas party that cost far more than a bar-bill, Colin Murray tries his best to make you believe, once more, in football's unpredictability.
From the height of international football to the scandal of the Conference league Christmas party that cost far more than a bar-bill, Colin Murray tries his best to make you believe, once more, in football's unpredictability.
Reviews / Votes
'Great laugh for all serious football fans" YORKSHIRE POSTMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Orion Publishing Co
Dimensions
Height: 205 mm
Width: 135 mm
Thickness: 25 mm
Weight
375 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-4091-1290-7 (9781409112907)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
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Person
Born in 1977 in Belfast, Colin Murray is a national radio and TV presenter. He is the host of Radio 5 Live's FIGHTING TALK and has a weekday show on Radio 1.