The Nowhere Men, Michael Calvin (one for BP1960?)

[Crusoe]

Anyone read this yet? Nominated for Sports Book of the Year, a book following football scouts around the country and understanding the scouting system (and how it is threatened by technology).

 

Just started reading it and it's very good. Readable and amusing rather than a turgid footballer's ghostwritten autobiography. The gossipy slagging-off of players is fairly entertaining too. Some fascinating/depressing stats, too - at the time of writing, Chelsea's youth system had cost £60m over 8 years without a single first team player to show; around 1% of the 10,000 boys in the academy system will make a living as a footballer; 2/3 of players given professional contracts at 18 are out of the game by 21.

 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Nowhere-Men-Michael-Calvin/dp/1780891075 (or whatever the WebShop version of this link should be, sorry)

Edited May 2, 2014 by Crusoe

[Crusoe]

Resurrecting this thread as Michael Calvin's new book, Living On The Volcano, is now out, and also worth a read. It's a series of interviews with managers, mostly Football League, about what it's like. Very well written and for the most part they come across very sympathetically given the precarious life they lead.

 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00W0P9TPK/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1

[Forte_Baby]

Anyone read this yet? Nominated for Sports Book of the Year, a book following football scouts around the country and understanding the scouting system (and how it is threatened by technology).

 

Just started reading it and it's very good. Readable and amusing rather than a turgid footballer's ghostwritten autobiography. The gossipy slagging-off of players is fairly entertaining too. Some fascinating/depressing stats, too - at the time of writing, Chelsea's youth system had cost £60m over 8 years without a single first team player to show; around 1% of the 10,000 boys in the academy system will make a living as a footballer; 2/3 of players given professional contracts at 18 are out of the game by 21.

 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Nowhere-Men-Michael-Calvin/dp/1780891075 (or whatever the WebShop version of this link should be, sorry)

 

Its on my list of books to read been told gives a good insight into the behind the lines and the work that goes into scouting a youngsters. Sadly got another 2 books to read before it.

[LaticsPete]

Just been lent it and looks a good one - fairly damning report on Brian Wilson by one scout ......