MirrorFootball's Christmas Gift Guide...BOOKS
Been trawling the inevitably overcrowded stores to find the perfect present for the football fan in your life? Well look no further, we've done the work for you, and first up in MirrorFootball's Christmas guide is books.
Play like Chelsea FC by Dominic Bliss (£11.37 on Amazon)
Do you know a kid who wants to be the next Frank Lampard? Are you prepared to stalk the Blues Cobham training ground with the little bugger hoping to catch a glimpse of the main man in action? If not, this tips and advice book from the Chelsea stars is a good alternative. Ideal for budding footballers packed full of insight from the dressing room on everything from technique to eating habits - all a youngster needs to feel like a pro. Although on current form - might be worth waiting for the Blackpool edition to come out...
Promised Land: The Reinvention of Leeds United by Anthony Clavane (£8.09)
If you ever wondered what all the fuss was about a club in Yorkshire bouncing around the football league tiers, then this is the book to enlighten you. Giving an insight into the euphoric highs, crushing lows, and all the drama, politics and nonsense that has brought one of the great institutions of English football to its knees. Definitely don't need to be a Whites fan to pick this one up, but if you do happen to be shopping for one - get this in
t'bag
!
3pm Annual - The Stupidest Football Book Ever by Steve Anglesey (£5.94)
Which World Cup star lost his virginity to a goat? What is football's most embarrassing team sponsorship deal? Need we say more?! A rib tickling compilation of some of the weirdest and wackiest moments in football. Ridiculous quotes, funny chants, and stories too scandalous for print in the paper! This is prime toilet reading material, and a cheerful gift for anyone.
Football - Bloody Hell! The biography of Sir Alex Feguson by Patrick Barclay (£9.10)
What more can be said about Sir Purple Nose that's not already been said? But as the "Big Man" nears the end of his career, it's a fascinating look at what has made the Glaswegian steam blower tick over all these years of unrivaled glory. Covering Beckham, Rooney, Ronaldo, European triumph, Glazer debt, psychological warfare with rivals, and of course his early days in Scotland - this is a story any real football fan can't help to be intrigued by.
Trautmann's Journey: From Hitler Youth to FA Cup Legend by Catrine Clay (£6.74)
Let's be honest, it's not the star name that's going to draw you into this one, but you'll be hard pressed to find a better tale from a footballer (apart from when Stephen Ireland made up a dead grandmother to get out of international duty!). From fighting for Nazi Germany in World War II, to being captured in a prisoner of war camp in England, the guy discovered a new way of life and ultimately became an FA Cup final hero for Manchester City - where he broke his neck in the game and played on! This will certainly be in safe hands with dads and grandads, or maybe someone with a radical viewpoint searching for a change...
Dodgy Football Fashion by James Cleary (£8.99)
Pure stocking filler material! If you've got any friends or team-mates who could benefit from a "what not to wear" guide, and is too scared to be caught watching Gok Wan on Channel 4, this is the book for them! Famous faces scoring the most ridiculous fashion own-goals know to man.
Kenny Dalglish: My Liverpool Home (£9.60)
The story of King Kenny's epic love affair with the Reds - tracing the characters, laughter, triumphs, and the many, many tears. It's a compelling read, and a must for Kopites, but probably won't be too high on the list of many neutrals.
Column
Crass of the Day: Why Gary Lineker should be ashamed of his xenophobic mocking of Arsene Wenger
Columnists 11:07 03/05/12Shame on Gary Lineker. His mockery, stupid French accent and derision of Arsene Wenger at the end of... Read More+
Column
Stop rewriting history: Hodgson may have got it, but Redknapp is still the better man for the job
Darren Lewis 10:45 03/05/12The revisionism surrounding Harry Redknapp this week has been an education to behold. Suddenly his f... Read More+
Column
Big Match Verdict on Chelsea 0-2 Newcastle: Torres has been transformed in a week
John Cross 22:27 02/05/12Fernando Torres has been transformed in little over a week. In fact, the Spaniard was the odd man ou... Read More+
