Life's a Pitch

Football writers tend not to reveal which team they support. Award-winning journalist and author Michael Calvin has persuaded celebrated colleagues to share their secret passions. The eighteen writers are among the UK's best. There are protestations of man love for Roy Keane and Stan Collymore. Tabloid titans sit on opposite sides of the North London divide. Heroes abound: Fernando Torres and Xabi Alonso; Ted McMinn and Malcolm Crosby, perhaps the only manager to be sacked by the Pools Panel. Share the lives of Bob and Jean Lucas. Appreciate Portsmouth’s pain. Understand why Fulham fans don’t take themselves entirely seriously. Join Crystal Palace on a Chinese tour, and discover why Montpellier should be twinned with Belfast. If you need to understand Liverpool and Leeds, or relate to the young pro facing failure at Arsenal, read on. This is a unique book, of interest to any football fan. In the words of Rafa Benitez: "These are the writers as you don't normally see them: when they are fans with pens"