Football Fiction A Selection of Fiction & Non Fiction Titles

The Stretford Enders Colgan, Trevor This book has a bit of everything, love,parents,school and of course football. Don't be put off if you don't like football, you'll like this book. Luke is upset having to leave his winning football team and school and move across town to start all over again, where no one likes him, there's a nasty bully and it seems no one can play football! But with help from a friend or two things start to look a little better as he tries to get a decent football team and along the way learns a thing or two about love.

The Stretford Enders Away Colgan, Trevor Luke stands at the stern of the Stena Seacat, and stares down at Dun Laoghaire harbour below. His whole universe is about to alter. Ella is behind him, trials for Everton are ahead of him. He has no idea where the journey will take him but he can't wait to begin.This tremendous follow up to a powerful debut novel, The Stretford Enders, charts Luke's first love, football as he sets out to play for Everton and leave behind his home, and perhaps his heart.

The Stretford Enders Square One Colgan, Trevor Luke Farrell, the talented young football star of the Stretford Enders team, starts the new season with high hopes after the disappointment of not being selected to play for Everton (Stretford Enders Away). There are scouts in the crowd for three other big teams and one has a contract in his pocket for Luke to sign after the match. Luke plays a blinder until the moment he is brought down by a wild tackle, breaking his leg. The break takes Luke out of play for several months. The contract stays in the scout's pocket and all Luke can do is sit and contemplate what might have been. Deeply disappointed, Luke sinks rapidly into depression. His best mate, David, commits suicide and his girlfriend, Ella, leaves for London. With his leg in plaster Luke loses fitness, pays no attention to exercise or diet and puts on weight. He alienates his friends, his coach, his mother - and worst of all, Ella. It's only a chance encounter with the hated Peter, which jolts Luke out of his black mood. Surprisingly, the two former enemies form a strange alliance which starts Luke back on the road to fitness. After all, there's still everything in the world to play for...

The Kick Off Freedman, Dan Jamie's heart was beating all through his body. Everything depended on him. He HAD to score... Soccer prodigy Jamie Johnson is desperate to become Highwood School's star football player (and, in his dreams, Hawkstone United's, too). But after he wrecks his chances at the trials, the pressure's on to prove himself. Can he shoot from his school team all the way to the top?

Golden Goal Freedman, Dan The third book in the gripping Jamie Johnson series. Jamie's dreams of becoming a professional footballer seem to be coming true, after years of hoping and practising. But, just when he's close to living the dream, a shocking event turns his world upside down. He's never been a quitter, but can he rise to the toughest chalenge of his life?

Shoot To Win Freedman, Dan Jamie Johnson can't believe his luck. He's playing for Kingfield School in the Cup Semi-Final and scouts from his favourite club, Hawkstone United, are coming to watch! But Jamie's hopes of a professional career still have a long way to go

Foul Play Palmer, Tom Danny is obsessed with two things: football - especially City Football Club - and investigating crimes. So when England and City footballing hero Sam Roberts is reported missing the day after Danny saw him being taken, blindfolded, into the bowels of the City FC stadium late at night, he's determined to get to the bottom of it. But is Danny getting into something he can't handle?

Dead Ball Palmer, Tom Russian billionaire Dmitri Tupolev and a mystery Englishman agree to fix an important match in Russia's favour by intimidating the England goalie, Alex Finn. But Alex goes against their wishes. His punishment: an 'accidental' car crash and he's out of the return game in Russia. Something is going on with England's replacement goalie, and Danny soon finds himself caught up with the criminals of the footballing underworld. Will he unravel the match-fixing mystery?

Own Goal Palmer, Tom Danny loves supporting his local team, City FC. So when everyone starts supporting the Italian team Forza FC, Danny is angry. His club is in jeopardy and needs their support. Danny decides to investigate the sudden popularity of the new team - starting with Forza's billionaire owner - and that's when the danger really kicks off. . . Can Danny uncover the sinister reasons behind Forza's success - and save City at the same time?

Killer Pass Palmer, Tom In recent months there has been a spate of burglaries at the houses of players from Danny's favourite football club, City FC. Danny wants to know who's behind it all and is on the case. But after scouting out the crime scenes, there are newspaper reports of a young boy having been seen hanging around. Danny needs to find out who's behind these crimes - and fast. If he doesn't, he might have turned from crime detective into the biggest suspect of them all...

The Squad. White Fear Palmer, Tom The Squad have been summoned to the deadly and frozen land of the Arctic Circle by the British Prime Minister who has heard of their growing reputation as brilliant young spies. An unknown criminal is trying to hijack a world conference about the precious and much fought-over fuels that lie below the arctic ice. To prevent an international war breaking out, Lily, Lesh, Hatty, Adnan and Kester go undercover to find out who it is and stop them.

But the beauty of the icy mountains and deep fjords hide some dangerous secrets and someone will do anything to make sure that the Squad don't discover them . . .

Goal – The Dream Begins Rigby, Robert While growing up on the tough streets of Los Angeles, Santiago's greatest joy is playing soccer. So it is a dream come true when a British scout sees him playing in the park and offers him a trial with one of England's top Premiership clubs. Determined to succeed, Santiago leaves behind his struggling family and his modest home, and flies halfway around the world to give it his best shot.

But it's not smooth sailing when Santiago arrives in northern England. Team practices are intense, and in this place where people live and breathe the sport, many seem eager to find fault with the new Latino player from L.A. The pressure even spurs Santiago to keep a secret that could sabotage his performance. There is no doubt that Santiago has skill, flair, and dedication. But does he have the stamina he will need for the English game?

Goal 2 – Living The Dream Rigby, Robert Santiago has made his mark in the UK Premier league as a magic midfielder with Newcastle United. But European football now beckons and he finds himself playing alongside stars such as Beckham, Raul and Zidane for Real Madrid. But playing in the UEFA Champions League can bring new pressures - new challenges: fighting to keep his place in the squad, trying to resist the temptations surrounding a successful footballer, aiming to maintain his relationship with his girlfriend back home. Sometimes dreams can turn sour...

Goal 3 – Glory Days Rigby, Robert Santiago Munez is back in England and playing in the Premiership once again. He's also been selected for the 2010 World Cup and is playing on the form of his life. But things in his personal life are more complicated - his troublesome brother has moved from Spain to England to learn to play football like his brother, his wife Ros has a new job, and they have a three-year-old daughter to take care of. When disaster strikes during an international warm-up match and Santi is injured, it looks like his dream of playing in the greatest competition of them all is over. Can he prove himself physically and mentally match-fit in time for the finals . . . ?

Non Fiction

Sport Files. Wayne Rooney Townsend, John 920 The biography details Rooney's career, upbringing and his early involvment in sports and also gives health, nutrition and training tips.

Football Freaking. Surreal Sums Behind The Rimmer, Gary 796.334 RIM Beautiful Game Did you know that Estonia once managed to beat Scotland without even turning up? That the Cote d'Ivoire has the most expensive team? And why Dutch defender Winston Bograde is paid twice what Real Madrid pays Beckham, Ronaldo and Zidane combined? Gary Rimmer's unique Number Freaking technique unearths the real truth behind the beautiful game. Discover: How many German police officers await each England fan in 2006 Which club has opened a chain of themed restaurants in China Who is worth more per gramme: Michael Ballack or cocaine? How many cows a football fan consumes each year - and much, much more. From which German football stadium has the most comfy seats to the cup that was hidden in an Italian shoebox, Gary Rimmer presents the essential guide to everything you never needed to know about football.

Brand It Like Beckham. The Story Of How Brand Milligan, Andy 658 MIL Beckham Was Built There is no one quite like David Beckham: brilliant footballer, dedicated athlete, fashion model, global icon and all-round celebrity.This book shows David Beckham in a new light: as a man who has harnessed his skills and his growing fame to market himself in the same professional and disciplined way that a successful company markets its brands.

Here is the story of a new breed of sportsman: one who is as comfortable with the trappings of marketing, fashion and the media as he is with team strips, playing surfaces and training grounds. By looking at the key choices David Beckham has made off the pitch, this book helps us understand how he has achieved his phenomenal commercial success. It provides fresh insights for readers who know about branding, a glimpse of a different side of Beckham for people who know about football, and an account of individual effort and achievement for all of us.

Ethics Of Sports. Money In Sports Hunter, Nick 796 HUN This book examines how money has become tied to sports in a variety of ways, and what implications this has for both athletes and fans. Have there always been professional athletes who earn huge salaries? What are the debates surrounding the role that advertising plays in sport?

Trigger Issues. Football Brazier, Chris 796.334 BRA Kicking a football and becoming a Pele - a Brazilian favela kid's dream. And the footballs made with child labour in Pakistan play a part in big money for backers like Berlusconi and Abramovich. Sweatshops and economic distortion mean that in 2004, Vietnam exported more Nike goods than coffee, while accountants Deloitte Touche estimated the European football market is worth around 10 billion. Then there are the celebrity footballer players with their skills and zillions. Brazilian fans have been blaming an exodus of starplayers on globalization...definitely off-side there, Ref! "One Small Item, One Giant Impact" - the "Trigger Issue" series exposes everyday objects in a new light.

David Beckham. My Side Watt, Tom 920 BEC This is Beckham's fascinating life story in his own words. His rise through the ranks at the biggest club side in the world. His complex relationship with United boss Alex Ferguson. The England story, from being vilified by the nation before returning as the prodigal son to eventually captaining his country. His acrimonious falling-out with his manager and departure from Old Trafford in June 2003. And starting a new chapter of his life on foreign soil in the glare of the world’s press.

There’s Only One David Beckham Hildred, Stafford 920 BEC This is the story of one of the most popular men in England - as told by the people who have met him throughout his brilliant career. It tells how David Beckham has grabbed the incredible talent that was given to him and used it to the full, as well as being a man who has never let fame obscure his natural good humour.

21st Century Lives. Footballers Gogerly, Liz 920 21st Century Lives: Footballers is a fresh and lively approach to the achievements of many of today's most successful footballers. Find out how to become the next Wayne Rooney; learn about Stephen Gerrards' journey to the top; or discover what lies behind Cristiano Ronaldo's talent on the pitch. An exciting new look at the past, present and future of the century's most popular sports personalities, featuring: John Terry, Thierry Henry and Michael Ballack.