Some of the best autobiographies in sport are not from those who are well known across a diverse audience and though Bryan King's career had many a highlight, you would include him in what I would call a group of solid professionals that deserved more but ultimately didn't get the recognition they should have. However, the notion that the best autobiographies come from this group of players is particularly evident in his The Lions' King book that is a triumph from start to finish. Though you'll get more out of the book as a Millwall fan, any fan of the game will relate to what i'd term as an old-fashioned autobiography that gives you a bit of everything and a lot of joy. Recounting stories from his career moving up from non-league to the professional ranks to play nearly 400 games for Millwall, his flirtation with England and his subsequent career as a Manager and Scout over in Scandanavia, this book will catch your interest from the start and without doubt will be one of the best independent books you will ever read.  It may not be your superstar but it's a book that you won't be sorry you picked up! The Lions' King does what a good sports book should do from the off and captures your imagination with it abundance of stories that are told with clarity, which ensures that you live those stories with him and captivates you as if you are in the book and there yourself. If this is King's first delve into writing a book, it doesn't show and his delivery is engaging. His early days growing up in Stansted before it became one of the UK's busiest airports, transports you back to a bygone era and growing up in a post-war society and his love affair growing up wanting to be a Goalkeeper can best be summed up in the following quote........"I’m not sure outfield players will ever understand, but there’s a unique music to goalkeeping. There’s a sound, a rhythm to a ball thudding into your hands that is so sweet; the feeling of being the last man and saving your team’s bacon is majestic and taking a ball in mid-air and flattening everybody and everything else in sight makes you gigantic." As a goalkeeper myself, it transported my own memories of longing to become a professional growing up but alas my talent was pretty much non-existent, yet those same feelings that King expresses are prevalent today and brought a great feeling that I know not everyone will feel but some will certainly relate too.  Knowing little of King's career, I was fully expecting to learn a lot and I was not disappointed as he recounted his fascinating career charting his early life growing up in Stansted, going through all the emotions of his quest to become a professional footballer with the rejections coming before the hope that would eventually lead him to a stellar career in the game. As he moves through his career, King's flirtation with the England set-up without ever playing a game is bittersweet, with a plethora of fantastic anecdotes from being on the sidelines and looking from within though often on the outskirts. Along his path, come the likes of Bobby Moore, Sir Alf Ramsey and his idol Gordon Banks that enhance their own reputations as sportsmen and people. A large part of the book is his bond with Millwall and it's way of life as a Lion and its list of unsung heroes. Today, there is little to no chance of being involved with England, playing in what was then called the Second Division (Championship Equivalent) but his talent was seemingly there for many to see and it's to his probable detriment that staying at The Den cost him an International career. Add into that his sad departure from playing with injuries that would end his career and his futile fight to get back, the book gives you that tinge of sadness that King's career is probably best described as an unfulfilled talent, yet it is an uplifting tale of Retiring at a relatively early age, the second phase of his career is equally fascinating as he takes us through his managerial career over in Norway and some of the absurdities that occurred whilst over there making it an equally fascinating angle for the book.  I'm sure I won't be the only reader that will harness a wish to visit the Norwegian fjords thanks to his enticing view that captures your interest.The opportunities that King took over in Norway are surprising in that he never got to manage one of the bigger sides, yet took over at regional clubs in the lower leagues and his stories and anecdotes of times spent with the likes of Kevin Beattie, Sven-Goran Eriksson and many others, bring the book to life and are genuinely enjoyable and sometimes border on the unbelievable! As we reach the end of the book, subjects tackled include both racism, death and the art of goalkeeping and are a serious but welcome addition to what has been an enticing read with the obligatory career stats and photo gallery which take you back to the stories in the book. Putting it plain and simply, this is a book that should be read. You don't have to have an allegiance to Millwall to enjoy this book, it is a funny and insightful autobiography that will capture any readers imagination and we have no doubt recommending this book to you.  The book has a bit of everything; a mountain of witty stories, the sadness that comes both personally and professionally and the warmth as he treads through a timeline from being a youngster with aspirations, through to today and looking back on a very fulfilled life with little regret of his time within the game and a game he still loves today. The beauty of this book is that it comes across as an old-fashioned autobiography that is story after story with a bit of opinion whereas many of the more modern sporting stars that are either still playing or have recently retired, look to a more psychological account of their time. Every reader is different and some will love this book and some will want that analysis that you get these days.  Go out and buy this book via the links below, it's one that we are pretty sure you'll enjoy. Let us know your thoughts too!

A stunning journey through Venezuelan football as the social and cultural issues intertwine with the author's passion and love for the beautiful game. As a sports fan, pretty much all sports books are enjoyable to me and there are very few that hit the mark and hit you hard and gives a deeper perspective to your own personal circumstances and really makes you want to improve yourself as a person and look for a deeper connection in however it manifests itself out. Red Wine and Arepas by Jordan Florit Is that book that gets to you, it grabs at your heart strings and puts your life into perspective and makes you think how lucky you are. Upon receiving the book, I don’t think it would be remiss of me to say that it daunted me a little, it is a hefty book and one of my first thoughts was, would it grab my attention and interest and allow me to get my head down and get it read. I don’t think I would be alone when it came to knowing literally nothing about Venezuela or it’s relationship with football other than the one player I’d heard of due to his time at Newcastle United in Solomon Rondon and even then i questioned myself as to whether I’d got his nationality correct. However, come the end of the book, there is no doubt that there is that little bit in you that knows you’ll be keeping an eye on there progress, whether it is their national team and their quest to make their first ever World Cup Finals, there players making that journey over to Europe or even seeing the Liga FUTve on TV in some shape or form and the teams that have shone a light on this book. The book is in essence a mixture of short stories that run along a series of central themes but Florit has left no stone unturned and the way he captures the game in terms of gender and the effect the game has through the eyes of both men and women which for me as an advocate for the women’s game, is brilliant to see. Other common themes are never far away from each story, whether it is the undercurrent of the political issues that have been so apparent for a number of years, the social issues that come via the economic hardships encountered or the corruption in football that has hindered the progress at a national level and a domestic level, which shows little signs of change and of little hope for a swift turnaround. There is literally no one that Florit doesn’t meet, some more successful than others but piercing together players, managers, administrators, families and fans and everything in between allows the book a smooth flow from story to story. A fascinating insight into a member of the Chavez family even makes the list! From his entry into the country encountering corruption in return for a good deed intended, being lambasted by a Manager for tardiness, his relationship with Kevin who becomes his eyes and ear and is clearly vital to Florit getting his stories, there is everything within the book that will capture the spirit that is intended. Venezuela may have the feel of a country on the brink and captures that shambolic feel at times yet there is always hope that Florit captures in his experiences and whilst not down and out yet, that hope remains throughout the book whether by his own thoughts which are captured perfectly or by the thoughts of those he speaks to which tell the heartwarming tale intended. Plainly and simply, this book is a joy to read and as an independent publication, I honestly hope that it gets the plaudits it deserves and that not having it backed by a renowned publisher, won’t harm its progression as a book because it should be celebrated for what it is and that is a cultural classic that combines football with a country that has many problems from its economic disaster to social inequalities to its corrupted catastrophes, but all the while hearing the stories of its people who genuinely come across as warm citizens, perhaps at times with tinted glasses but never the less, endearing and capturing your soul. Florit has captured the essence of Venezuela perfectly and manages to intertwine stories from every corner of the South American country, whilst also integrating his own journey in the country that captures every emotion from love and loyalty to debacles and the downright bizarre. The stories are what make this book and whilst the general theme is about football, it also breaks down the social, economic and political issues that manifest itself in both the football and it’s people. In essence its a sad state of affairs with corruption seemingly rife within the game too that is clearly giving hope to its people and its development that is hoped could be its saviour. I cannot speak highly enough of this book and encourage readers of this review to click on the links below and get a copy of this as soon as you can. Capturing a nation and its struggles against the backdrop of the global game is just pure art and this talented writer has a fan for life, as does the Venezuela. I can't help it, it just captures the heartstrings and look forward to a time celebrating this seemingly fantastic country gracing the grandest stage of them all!

Any book on the legend Sir Bobby Robson on his wonderful life and career should appeal to any football fan and though this book focuses on his latter years in football and more specifically, his final job within the game at Newcastle United, this will not detract you from reading this book as it gives you a fantastic insight into the man that was so revered here in the UK and was arguably one of the last bastion's of an era that many today still long for amidst the modern football world that is so much about business and money. Don't get me wrong, if you are a Newcastle United supporter, this book is going to pull at your heartstrings as they remember the period that brought yet another near miss, similar to the Keegan era in the 1990's without probably the razzmatazz that came with that era. It details the period of Robson's tenure at St James Park and looks at the fascinating relationships that he with the many players that came to play under him, those behind the scenes in the Magpies Boardroom and his relationship with the fans, who up until nearly the very end backed the local born, former England Manager. Some of these relationships stand out and what make the book such an interesting read. The relationship with Craig Bellamy in particular is a big focus throughout the book and though there isn't any contributions directly from the enigmatic Welsh forward, there are anecdotes from his own autobiography where he talks about his relationship with Sir Bobby Robson. It's no secret that Bellamy is a divisive character and is by no means a shrinking violet and is one of those modern footballers that you can honestly say you love if he is on your team, but cannot stand if he is up against you.  The way this story is told by the author, for me drops hints about the player power that has become a facet of the game in the modern era and with Robson, a storied member of the old guard, there are clearly issues that he faced as the shift of control going from Managers to Players is very evident in how Bellamy had such an impact in this story.  Where this is first-hand accounts of Robson's tenure at the Magpies, it comes in some brilliant sources, in particular his right-hand man John Carver who plays a big role in his perception from Robson's point of view and how he tried to play his own role that sits between the players and the management. Both his own view of the relationship with Bellamy from Robson and his own experiences of him, hint at the 'Behind the Scenes' part of football that we don't see of managing people in an era that is unlike any before it. The book tells you a lot about Sir Bobby as a person and how he thought the game should be played. His particular penchant for buying British comes across and when you look at who he bought into the club, there is little doubt that many of the best young talent that England produced around this time, would have been influenced by the legendary boss. Having the likes of Keiron Dyer, Jermaine Jenas, Jonathan Woodgate and many others at Newcastle, show how he tried to build a squad that could legitimately compete with the likes of Manchester United and Arsenal yet just by those names above, you could arguably say that they were just shy of having the class to get over the line. There is no doubt that the book brilliantly documents Robson's affinity with the North-East and how it was clearly a dream come true to manage his boyhood team. That being said, and with what has gone on since up at Newcastle (albeit with different owners) it is safe to say that managing Newcastle and the interference that comes with it is something you either grin and bear up there, or you ultimatley don't take the job on. There is sympathy towards Freddy Shepherd to a degree in that he was controlled by the father and son duo of Sir John and Douglas Hall and It's very easy to forget just how good a side that Newcastle were during this era and its easy to forget that they got so far in the Champions League and the UEFA Cup competitions, a feat that is often forgotten. Mixing it up and beating many of the great European names with a side made up of predominantly British players mixed in with the class of foreign buys like Laurent Robert and Hugo Viana, show you the job that Robson did and in a short space of time. When reviewing this book, its one that has reminded me so much of little things that you forget about Newcastle United during this period. The above mentioned European nights and how far they got, going toe-to-toe with Manchester United for the signature of Wayne Rooney and pilfering the heartbeat of a Leeds United team and stripping them of their best British assets, and experiencing their own successes.  Book's documenting a certain period in a Football Club are no doubt more appealing to fans of that team and whilst this book will no doubt be a massive draw for Newcastle United fans, the way this story is told, will ensure that any football fan will enjoy an insight into a remarkable man, who arguably should have been enjoying retirement, but changed the fortunes of his boyhood club and got them close to their optimum, despite facing the challenges of a modern football world that was very much different to what he had known before. There are some very brilliant contributions to the book from the likes of John Carver, Charlie Woods, Warren Barton and Steven Caldwell who give a brilliant insight into what went on behind the scenes at the club in this era and how Robson was fighting to manage the relationships and characters within the club, whilst delivering the heady times and success of one of Newcastle United's most enjoyable era's. If I had to give some constructive criticism to the book, it probably lacks the direct contributions from the likes of Alan Shearer who will have played such an important role in the club and his own relationship with Craig Bellamy, which is touched upon by others. Its only a minor issue and nothing to take away from the book at all and you'll no doubt enjoy this book at all levels, more so as a fan of the Black and White, but almost equally learning about the great man himself, Sir Bobby Robson. Get yourself a copy of Harry de Cosemo's book 'Black and White Knight' and let us know your thoughts on the book.

Formations and tactics have evolved across the last 100+ years and will continue to evolve in the future but there is one formation that has continued to take its stage amongst an ever changing tactical evolution and John McNicoll’s An Ode to Four Four Two takes a look at some of the most well known teams that have become famous for using this formation and with great success. Each chapter is filled with a recap about a team that has used this formation and it shows just how timeless the 4-4-2 system has been over the last 50 years in particular and why even with the modern evolution of the game, whilst the system is not as widely used, particularly at the top levels of football, there are teams in recent history that have used this to success. What the book does is focus on the teams but in essence, its largely a focus on a Manager’s psyche and how they are the proponents of this 4-4-2 formation and how they pierce together the players to fit their system and putting their own stamp on a side with slight tweaks here and there. The author has clearly done the research on some of the most famous sides to have used the 4-4-2 system and there is a mix of singular seasons that heavily exploit their formation, yet each one of them are built over a longer period and there is clearly growth in the system that needs to take place before the success comes.Perhaps somewhat surprisingly, the first team that is focused in the book is Spanish side Atletico Madrid and when you think of the teams that have become known for using the 4-4-2 system, they are not a side that certainly I would come to associate with the system but reading that chapter and how they navigated to their success over a long timeframe and how effective it became in Europe against some of the best sides in the world. The legend that is Brian Clough is than profiled by the author and his time at East Midlands rivals Nottingham Forest and Derby County and what screams out of you very quickly is the personnel that is used by Clough during both spells. Rightly or wrongly when you think of the classic derby matches in English football, there is not many players that play for both sides in a derby. However, Clough clearly had a tried and tested formula and why would you try and re-invent the process at a different club using different players when a large number of the original components of the side can be shifted down the A52. Like Clough, when you think of the greatest Manager’s within the game, Sir Alex Ferguson is right up there and what stands out in the chapter on his time at the helm of Manchester United is the cycle’s that this formation goes through under him and how he kept to his tried and tested formula over an incredible time span, yet brought in new players when the cycle dictated it. Remembering some of the classic games over the years is what is the biggest triumph of this book and is certain trip down memory lane. One of the most fascinating chapters for me was the look at AC Milan and their period in the 80s and 90s that they helped to revolutionise European Football and how they prioritised the competition at times over winning a Scudetto. Arrigo Sachi’s brilliant side made up of the finest names to grace World Football bring the 4-4-2 system into a deep focus and though of course we all know about this side, that in-depth focus for me was a definite highlight of the book. As a LCFC fan myself, I was excited to see the perception of the Foxes amazing Premier League triumph a few years back and how it was perceived by fans of other clubs and McNicoll does the club justice in taking a look back further beyond that amazing season and how it started under Nigel Pearson, with his bullish persona and ended under Claudio Ranieri, who negated his tinkerman image to turn this story into one of the biggest spectacle’s ever seen in sport and is very unlikely to be seen again.  The book is a brilliant insight into many of the great sides of the last 50 years that used the 4-4-2 system and if you had to look at constructive criticism of the book, the lack of unique quotes to the book is where it probably falls down. I’m sure some first-hand accounts from those involved would have enhanced the book further but its only a minor in my eyes. There are a whole host of fantastic books out with Pitch Publishing and An Ode to Four Four Two is another that has ticked this box and is highly recommended to our followers to read. Those that are fans of the clubs that are focused in the book, will love reminiscing about their most prized periods in their history but if you are a football fan in general, there is little doubt that this book will tickle your fancy.

We all love the glitz and the glamour of football that we see on the box its what gets us drawn into the beautiful game but for many of us, whilst we may harbour dreams of playing the game, the nearest we are ever going to get will be looking to emulate the worlds best in your local leagues and hilariously failing for most of this time, with stories that last a lifetime. Park Life details four seasons in the Rhondda Valley region of Wales and in particular the shenanigans and characters that make up the Maindy Conservative Football Club as they begin their journey in football as a bunch of friends that went from a five-a-side kick-around to taking on that daunting yet fulfilling task of playing Sunday morning football with players filled with hangovers and questionable quality that no one really cares about. If you've ever played local football, you'll know that it draws you in, whether its the smell of the deep heat in the dressing room before the game or the on the pitch rivalry that is often fierce and volatile on the pitch, yet a mutual respect once the game is over. Peter's book captures all of this and more amid the fascinating insight, often told in his own voice. The first season captures the emergence of the side and its start to life within local football as they begin their journey and its introduction to the characters that make up their journey, first off the field as they form the backbone of the club and doing those menial tasks that need doing at every club in finding a pitch, getting entered into leagues and all that local football equates too. From there we get into the season as they initially find it difficult but soon start to pick up with the odd win. What is enjoyable and really is a feature of the book is the introduction of the players that draws you into their own journey and relating them to your own experiences. Peter really captures the voice of the players in his own style and it's an honest and witty read that does what it should and make you want to carry on reading again and again.  Season Two captures the beautiful game perfectly as we go from match to match and story to story as Maindy embark on a Cup journey that ends in triumph and with more tales of boozy nights before and after games that really do bring a fantastic insight into why we love playing the game and why friendships are formed that last a lifetime and all the stories that go with it.  The joys of Season Two and the Cup win are tempered in Season Three as whilst they once again reach the Cup Final, the finale of the chapter charts their contentious loss to Pentwyn FC but once again, whilst their is a sadder ending to the season, the essence of local life is captured wonderfully by Peter and continues an insight into the stories and characters but also the game as they chase another season of glory. You can never get too much of hearing about a season and by Season Four, you are still utterly thrilled by the high jinks of local football and of Maindy Conservative Football Club. In a brilliant nod to my local area that just continued to sell the joy of this book is their triumphant tour to Ashby-De-La-Zouch and getting into the spirit of what goes on tour stays on tour. The triumph of the book is the way it is told and Peter has a knack for telling a fascinating story that will capture the imagination of many a fan of football. Forget the need for the glitz and the glamour of the professional game, the stories are there for all in local football and this is where independent books like this should be celebrated for what they often are, a brilliant masterpiece that only falls down in wanting more and more of it. There is something about real-life that seems to capture the imagination and whilst we all love the standard sports books about the rich and famous and what we see in front of our eyes on the TV or on social media, getting down to the nitty gritty of real life is something that we can all relate too. Peter Roberts' Park Life is a brilliant read that will have you wanting to read more about the joys of local football in the Valley's of the Welsh Rhondda region. It's a brilliantly funny story that if I had to have one criticism is that of its length and that I could have read many more pages and wanted too and I was disappointed to get to then end of. It left you wanting more and that is the mark of a good book in that it left more out there. It was written to perfection and has been captured to the point by the author.

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