Spartacus Review

Volume 4: 24th October, 2007

Football

Title: The Official Illustrated History of Arsenal

Author: Phil Soar and Martin Tyler

Editor:

Publisher: Hamlyn

Price: £20.00

Bookshop: Amazon

Spartacus Website: Football Encyclopedia

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This official history charts Arsenal's story from its inception in 1886 right up to the first full season at the impressive Emirates Stadium. It details how Dial Square became Woolwich Arsenal, the move to Highbury, Herbert Chapman's inspirational leadership, the famous Double of 1971, the exciting title race of 1989, the second Double of 1998, the unbeaten season of 2003/04 and the move to their current home. There is a complete statistical record of European and domestic games and in-depth features on North London derbies, the stars of the 1930s, Arsenal internationals, the team of 1971 and the modern French connection.

Title: Who's Who of Preston North End

Author: Dean Hayes

Editor:

Publisher: Breedon Books

Price: £19.99

Bookshop: Amazon

Spartacus Website: Preston North End

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In the years since Preston played their first game in the Football League, hundreds of footballers have pulled on a Lilywhites shirt to represent the club in first-class competitive matches. In this richly illustrated, hugely informative reference work, Dean Hayes has detailed the careers of every single one of those players, whether they are household names or men who made only a handful of appearances at Deepdale. The book is highly illustrated throughout, and various statistics are included to supplement the career details of the players. Preston's all time top twenty goal scorers appear, along with appearance statistics, and managers of the club have their own section.

Title: Who's Who of Aston Villa

Author: Tony Mathews

Editor:

Publisher: Mainstream

Price: £15.99

Bookshop: Amazon

Spartacus Website: Aston Villa

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The Who's Who of Aston Villa is a comprehensive guide that promises to settle any disputes amongst supporters of the club once and for all. Packed with facts and stats, it contains profiles of every Villa player to have appeared in a competitive match for the team since 1879, the year the club first entered the FA Cup. Since then, some truly great players have been associated with the club. These include: record appearance-maker Charlie Aitken; Colombian striker Juan Pablo Angel; 1890s stars Charlie Athersmith and Jas Cowan; scheming midfielder Gordon Cowans; tough guy defender George Cummings; 1957 FA Cup-winning captain Johnny Dixon; longstanding centre-half Allan Evans; Welsh international goalscorer Trevor Ford; 1890s goalkeeper Billy George; goalscorer supreme Harry Hampton; long-serving player, manager and director Eric Houghton; Irish double act Peter McParland and Con Martin; skipper Dennis Mortimer, who led the side to League championship and European Cup glory in the early 1980s; post-war goalkeeper Joe Rutherford; '80s stars Gary Shaw and Nigel Spink; influential '30s half-backs Alec Talbot and Joe Tate; Billy Walker and Pongo Waring, two of the club's greatest-ever goalscorers; and European Cup final hero Peter Withe. As well as providing full details on these legends and many others, this indispensable guide also profiles the men who have managed Villa down the years, including current gaffer David O'Leary, Joe Mercer, Graham Taylor, Graham Turner, Ron Saunders and Alex Massie. Featuring rare photos of Villa heroes past and present, the Who's Who of Aston Villa is essential reading for any supporter who wants to know everything there is to know about this Premiership club.

Title: A Fan's Guide to Football Grounds

Author: Duncan Adams

Editor:

Publisher: Ian Allan Publishing

Price: £9.99

Bookshop: Amazon

Spartacus Website: Football Encyclopedia

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The contents of the book provide a wealth of information for the large number of fans who are interested in the history and heritage of British league grounds and is also handy and useful reference source for fans visiting grounds around the country. This is a serious and factual book though tackled in an attractive and accessible way.