The Little Book of Irish Football

Did You Know? - On 6 February 1961, Danny Blanchflower became the first, and only, person to refuse to appear as the subject of This is Your Life when he turned down Eamonn Andrews live on BBC TV. - From 1882 until 1931, international teams representing the Irish Football Association wore sky blue jerseys rather than green ones. - In February 1963, when football grounds in England were unplayable due to the 'big freeze', Manchester United played three of their games in Ireland. The Little Book of Irish Football is a compendium of fascinating, obscure and entertaining stories about the Beautiful Game on the Emerald Isle. It brings to life some of the long-lost tales about how the game grew and thrived across the island. It also explores the division of football in Ireland and the famous players and teams that have stolen the headlines over the decades. The various chapters bring to life the highs and lows of Irish football, telling tales of glory and strife amid adversity. A reliable and quirky guide, this little reference book can be dipped into time and again to reveal something new about the fascinating history of association football in Ireland, as well as the many characters and fans who have brought the game the life over the decades.

Born in Belfast in 1970, BARRY FLYNN has written eleven books of Irish interest, including The Little Book of Irish Boxing and The Little Book of Armagh. He has worked as a freelance broadcaster for BBC Northern Ireland, RTE, Newstalk and BBC Radio Ulster. He is a tour guide and conducts tours of Belfast's footballing heritage - and is a host at the George Best house - which is a historic B&B. He gives talks to clubs and societies on the history of Irish football and has established close working links with every club on the island.

- Title - Copyright - Contents - Foreword - Introduction - 1 The Chaotic Early Years of 'Foot-Ball' on the Emerald Isle - 2 The Irish Embrace the Association Game - 3 The Competition Gets Tough as the Game Thrives - 4 Trouble and Strife as the Association Splits - 5 Divided Loyalties in Football and Politics - 6 Legendary Grounds, Tragic Tales and Shrewd Signings - 7 Belfast Celtic, Tricolours and International Ambiguity - 8 Progress, Clerical Interference and World Cup Glory - 9 Characters, Big Names and Epic Performances - 10 A Footballing Fiesta and Epic Games From the 1960s - 11 Old Rules and the Troubles Impact the Beautiful Game - 12 1980s: Farce, Bad Luck and International Brilliance - 13 A Golden Era for the Republic Under Jackie - 14 Miscellaneous Tales, Trivia and Legends