Sports Books - A Helping Hand

The Christmas panic is almost upon us and with that the driving around in circles looking for a space in an over-crowded car park,  having your senses assaulted from all angles in popular toy stores and before you know it, it's Christmas Eve and you have nothing to show for it.

Whilst spring (or winter) cleaning, I rearranged my bookcase into a more structured ranking system. A very important part of any household cleaning duties. I like to think highly, maybe foolishly, of my assorted books collected over many moons, so this list of recommendations will put it to the test.

Below is a shortlist of some books that may have passed your radar, that you may not have bothered with, that I feel are essential reading for any sports fan. Granted, there are hundreds more excellent books out there, and feel free to recommend them in the comments section below, but these are the ones that I have read and made sure not to lose.

Slate this selection or ignore it if you like, but hopefully a few of you will have some new ideas for stocking fillers, as in my opinion Christmas is just not the same without a good sports book.

League of Ireland:

Just Follow the Floodlights – Brian Kennedy

To be honest I have not yet got around to completing this complete guide to League of Ireland football, but from the bits I have read it is wonderfully crafted and a must read for all who cherish the game at home.

There’s Only One Red Army – Eamonn Sweeney

 A tough one to put in as a Galwegian, but it was the first LOI book I encountered and remains a favourite.

Football in General:

Red - Gary Neville

You may still hate the man after reading this account of his life at Manchester Utd, but he will more than likely admire you for sticking to your principles. A great story well told.

John Giles: A Football Man – John Giles

An enthralling account of the midfield maestro’s life in football. Far from perfect, but neither was the man himself.

More Than A Job? - Roger Titford with Eamon Dunphy

An account of Reading’s 1975/76 promotion winning season, from both player and fan perspectives. Dunphy at his best.

Provided You Don’t Kiss Me - Duncan Hamilton

Clough’s reign at Nottingham Forest went from absurd highs to stunning lows. Hamilton saw it all up close and personal as a local reporter, and provides a brilliant insight into one of football’s enigmas.

The Miracle of Castel di Sangro - Joe McGinniss

An American immerses himself in a tiny town in Italy (pop. 5,000) as its football club embarks on its remarkable first ever season in Serie B

A Season With Verona - Tim Parks

An insight into the deep passion Italians have for their football as Parks travels the country with Hellas Verona fans and team. Epic.

Futebol - Alex Bellos

A stunning first effort from Bellos, whose insightful book shows how football changed Brazil, and how Brazil shaped football. The “true truth” about Brazilian football.

Brilliant Orange - David Winner

An unconventional look at Dutch football and how the Dutch psyche has influenced the team’s spirit and style of play. Worth sticking with.

Jose Mourinho - Luis Lourenco

Charts Mourinho’s rise to prominence at Porto, with input from The Special One which above all else reveals his remarkable attention to detail.

Charlie Connelly - Stamping Grounds

What better way to spend your time than to follow Liechtenstein as they bid for World Cup qualification? Gives perspective to international football.

Irish Sport:

Hurling: The Revolution Years- Denis Walsh

Behind the scenes look at the explosive rise in the popularity of hurling in the mid 90’s, led by Clare, Wexford, and Offaly.

House of Pain - Keith Duggan

Anguish, disappointment, heartache. It can only be the story of Mayo’s 60-year quest to regain the Sam Maguire. A county’s indomitable spirit revealed.

Working On a Dream - Damian Lawlor

Access all areas look at the less glamorous side of inter-county GAA life as Lawlor trails the Waterford footballers.

The Club - Christy O’Connor

Why is the local club the lifeblood of the biggest sporting organisation in the country? Christy O’Connor eloquently tells us why. Courageous.  

My Autobiography - Ronan O’Gara

Kicker at the heart of rugby’s rise to prominence in Ireland reveals his fears and foibles in a riveting tale of triumph and despair.

General Sport:

The Meaning of Sport - Simon Barnes

The Chief Sportswriter with The Times gives his unique take on sport and why it holds us all in such thrall, how it uplifts and crushes us - and matters too much.

A Great Face for Radio - John Anderson

A hilarious series of anecdotes from a radio reporter who travelled the world as the Sports Correspondent at Independent Radio News.

Open - Andre Agassi

Raw account of Agassi’s road to the top of the world of tennis while fighting his inner demons which constantly tore him between self destruction and perfectionism.

A Good Walk Spoiled - John Feinstein

Behind the scenes account of life on the PGA Tour before Tiger Woods screamed onto the scene. Captures the intense pressure to stay at the top.

The Grand Slam - Mark Foster

The riveting story of how Bobby Jones triumphed over adversity to become the first, and so far only, man to capture The Grand Slam of golf in the 1930s.  

The Last Amateurs - John Feinstein

The world of college basketball in the States explored as Feinstein follows a less glamorous, more academically based college for a season.

The Man Behind the Shades - Nolan Dalla and Peter Alson

The extraordinary life of the best poker player who ever lived, Stuey “The Kid” Ungar.

These are just my own recommendations and not reviews as such, just a short snippet of what’s in store if you choose to purchase them. As far as I am aware, only Sweeney’s book is difficult to get hold of. Putting this list together has made me want to re-read quite a few of them as it's been a while, but I have five more to finish before I get a chance to hit Charlie Byrne’s for a few more Christmas gems.  

Have you read any books on this list? Would you recommend them? What other sporting books have taken your fancy?