A People's History of Football

'A fascinating journey through the game's history. While so much of today's attention is on the highest end of the sport- the money and the glory associated with today's biggest stars- football has always been about so much more: a vehicle of expression, of example and of change. A People's History of Football tells the stories of how, why and when.'

-- Shaka Hislop, former footballer, anti-racist educator and broadcaster

'Correia takes us around the world to examine how soccer has produced the kind of political energy that can change minds and even topple governments. But despite his global jaunt into many corners of the soccer world, there is nothing superficial here. This book is about the politics of passion and they sing from every page.'

-- Dave Zirin, Sports Editor, 'The Nation'

'Often we lose sight of the real history of football, the time before the Premier League and state-owned football clubs. There are fans, players and teams that built the game and truly harnessed it as not just a sport but a force for good and a way to build long lasting communities. That history needs to be told, archived and remembered. This is an essential history of the people's game.'

-- Flo Lloyd-Hughes, freelance sportswriter and broadcaster

'A wide-ranging and well-researched look at how the masses have attempted to protect and reclaim their sport from the classes, all over the world. An essential read for football fans everywhere.'

-- Juliet Jacques, writer, filmmaker and Clapton CFC player

'Soccer fans and players everywhere, in the stands or the pitch, recognize in their chests' pounding the collective heart of a heartless world. With the rise of popularity of the MLS in the United States, America's historically apolitical sports culture has been suddenly ruptured with the protests and tifos of dozens of radical-left fan clubs. A rich and superbly-researched materialist account of how soccer emerged from feudal origins to become the most popular, and most political modern sport.'

-- A.M. Gittlitz, author, 'I Want to Believe: Posadism, UFOs and Apocalypse Communism'

'An enjoyable highlights reel of stories from Barcelona to Brazil that show why football can still legitimately be seen as the people's game'

-- Houman Barekat, 'Irish Times'

'Epic ... there is much to learn and enjoy in this book'

-- 'Times Literary Supplement'

'Shows that football can be a force for good'

-- 'The Markaz Review'