The Death and Life of Australian Soccer

'Forget the cliches - the giant was never asleep. Soccer has always played a pivotal role in Australian life. These are beautiful stories, beautifully told.' Santo Cilauro

'Joe Gorman's remarkable book is packed full of the characters, passion, failure and success that define Australian soccer and its place in our proud sporting culture.' Tracey Holmes

'Joe should be congratulated on a magnificent achievement. Piecing together the kaleidoscopic threads of Australian football is a huge challenge and, in keeping with the way the game is played at its best, Joe's performance is laced with both poetry and a forensic understanding of detail.' John Didulica, chief executive of Professional Footballers Australia

'An engaging cultural history of soccer in Australia. Joe Gorman's ability to draw out the rich stories of the sport's past is unparalleled. His deep knowledge and compelling writing give voice to the people and communities who built the game; those who are interwoven into its very soul, away from the bright lights of the A-League.' David Squires, Guardian cartoonist

'This book is like reading the history of Australia through football. Joe Gorman sketches how post-war migrants, refugees, and Indigenous Australians have used the game to assert their identity as Australians on their own terms. Gorman has illustrated that football, at various times, has been critical in shaping the nation's social and cultural policy and what it means to be an Australian. A fascinating and insightful read, easily the best book I've read on the topic.' Francis Awaritefe