Tony's Non-League Forum: Ground Hopping & Programmes: General: Books by ground hoppers


	MAIN INDEX	SEARCH POSTS	WHO'S ONLINE	LOG IN

Home: Ground Hopping & Programmes: General:
Books by ground hoppers

danielmak
Junior Team Sub

Jun 22, 2012, 4:29 AM

Posts: 17
Location: Off the Purple Line
Team(s):

Post #1 of 20 (1788 views)
Shortcut

Books by ground hoppers	Can't Post or Reply Privately

I'm wondering if folks can recommend good books that basically center around ground hopping (i.e., well written travel writing about football, culture, politics, history). I read Richard Brentnall's Games Beyond Frontiers and liked it. Any other recommendations?

http://www.freewebs.com/footballdvd/

Feversham Lens
Reserve Team Regular

Jun 22, 2012, 10:41 AM

Posts: 571
Location: York
Team(s): (FC) Halifax Town (from 1973), South Liverpool (1983-86)

Post #2 of 20 (1737 views)
Shortcut

Re: [danielmak] Books by ground hoppers [In reply to]	Can't Post or Reply Privately

Not sure if these are all still in print, but they're very good, though the strictly football content has dated. More about people and places than football which (in the main) is what makes hopping fun.

Playing at Home, John Aizlewood, Orion Books, ISBN 0 75281 166 5, first edition 1998. Every Football League ground during the 1997-98 season. Sharply observed. Relieved my team wasn't in the FL at the time!

The Far Corner, Harry Pearson, Warner Books, ISBN 0 7515 1058 0, first edition 1994. North-East football, from top flight to Wearside League, during the 1993-94 season. Laugh aloud funny.

A Season with Verona, Tim Parks, Vintage, ISBN 0 099 42267 0, first edition 2002. Following a small club - Hellas Verona - in Serie A during the 2000-01 season. Thoroughly enjoyable - even if you don't care for foreign football.

There's as much pride in this club as there is at Anfield - just fewer people showing it.
If you don't like it, don't ****ing come.

andy_ollers
Youth Team Sub

Jun 22, 2012, 2:26 PM

Posts: 136
Location:
Team(s):

Post #3 of 20 (1649 views)
Shortcut

Re: [Feversham Lens] Books by ground hoppers [In reply to]	Can't Post or Reply Privately

FA Cup book 'Wick to Wembley', always a good read:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/...id=p3984.m1555.l2649

Bargain price on eBay considering 2 copies on Amazon for over �400:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/...1&condition=used

D A
First Team Star

Jun 22, 2012, 2:33 PM

Posts: 1788
Location: Airstrip 1 , Oceania.
Team(s): Airstrip 1.

Post #4 of 20 (1643 views)
Shortcut

Re: [andy_ollers] Books by ground hoppers [In reply to]	Can't Post or Reply Privately

In Reply To

Interesting author , Andy Ollerenshaw . Coincidence ?
�418 for the SAME book ?

'I'm not cynical. I'm just experienced'.
29/11/2012. Anyone need numbers for Cheddar F C please p/m.

redcardreco
Youth Team Regular

Jun 22, 2012, 3:51 PM

Posts: 236
Location: Stoke on Trent/Chorley
Team(s): Chorley fc also have soft spots for PNE, Man utd, Mossley, Bolton

Post #5 of 20 (1611 views)
Shortcut

Re: [D A] Books by ground hoppers [In reply to]	Can't Post or Reply Privately

changing ends by Mike Baylis (aka London Harrier on here) is a great read it is on blackline press

for my non league blog visit http://redcardreco.blogspot.com
for my new non-league fanzine please visit www:3pmkickoff.weebly.com

last game: Bradford PA 1 v Chorley 0 (02.4.12)
last new ground: The horsfell stadium (Bradford 1 v Chorley )
new grounds 2011-2012 season: Matlock Town fc, Rushall, Stoke City, Hednesford, FC United, Buxton, Newcastle Town, Peterborough United, Bradford PA

SADSACK
Junior Team Sub

Jun 22, 2012, 5:48 PM

Posts: 11
Location:
Team(s):

Post #6 of 20 (1565 views)
Shortcut

Re: [redcardreco] Books by ground hoppers [In reply to]	Can't Post or Reply Privately

I agree with all the posters already some really good books.
Can i also add "92 pies", a book doing the 92 league clubs from the 2008/09 season.
"Hunting grounds" as above but doing the scottish 42 from 06/07.
Finally, "Far from the massive crowds" a brilliant insight into the northern league from Mark Cowan a harden supporter of Guisborough Town from the 2010-2011.
If anyone wants any of the above, please message me, I'm sure a deal can be struck.

stourboy
First Team Star

Jun 23, 2012, 12:54 PM

Posts: 1466
Location: Loughborough Uni
Team(s): Stourbridge FC, Sheffield Wednesday, Barrow Town

Post #7 of 20 (1452 views)
Shortcut

Re: [SADSACK] Books by ground hoppers [In reply to]	Can't Post or Reply Privately

'Anoraknophobia: The Life and Times of a Football Obsessive' by Rob Grillo is a fantastic read and well recommended for any non-league fan Smile

Last new ground (74): City Ground, Nottingham Forest v Huddersfield Town 19/02/2013
Last game (329): Stourbridge v Cambridge City 06/04/2013

Stourboy's Pre-Season Plan:
Tue 9 July: Christchurch v AFC Bournemouth
Sat 27 July: Evesham United v Stourbridge

robgrillo
First Team Regular

Jun 23, 2012, 6:20 PM

Posts: 1322
Location:
Team(s):

Post #8 of 20 (1402 views)
Shortcut

Re: [stourboy] Books by ground hoppers [In reply to]	Can't Post or Reply Privately

many thanks Smile

cheque is in the post........

KEIGHLEY'S SOCCER HISTORY...out now... www.robgrillo.co.uk

(This post was edited by robgrillo on Jun 23, 2012, 6:21 PM)

RussWWFC
First Team Sub

Jun 23, 2012, 8:44 PM

Posts: 949
Location: Adams Park
Team(s): Wycombe Wanderers

Post #9 of 20 (1369 views)
Shortcut

Re: [D A] Books by ground hoppers [In reply to]	Can't Post or Reply Privately

In Reply To

Interesting author , Andy Ollerenshaw . Coincidence ?
�418 for the SAME book ?

Nice spot, I have been looking to buy that for a while.

As well as the ones that have been mentioned, there is one by Mark Sheldrake who is a Hampton fan

And an excellent one called The Road From Wembley, by John Stoneman. If from Wick To Wembley is half as good, then I will be delighted

Visit my Blog - The Wycombe Wanderer
Follow me on Twitter @RussWWFC
Add me on Facebook: RussWWFC
Kik: RussWWFC

wilson
Youth Team Regular

Jun 23, 2012, 11:22 PM

Posts: 197
Location: North Staffs
Team(s): Leek Town, Sampdoria, Northants CCC

Post #10 of 20 (1342 views)
Shortcut

Re: [RussWWFC] Books by ground hoppers [In reply to]	Can't Post or Reply Privately

This genre is well represented in my book collection, with my personal favourites being:

'A Season in Hell' by David Bennie (1997). A very funny and intelligent account of one man's attempt to do all the Scottish league grounds in the 1996-97 season. Deserves to be better known than it is; easily beats the subsequent 'Hunting Grounds' by Gary Sutherland which has a similar theme.

'Dennis the Astronomer' by Richard Panter(2005). Written by Shepshed supporting midlands based hopper who mixes following Dynamo games and neutral non-league spectating in the 2004-05 season. I like it as I've been to most of the grounds covered and it cost me just �1 from the Stamford club shop!

'Hopping Mad' by Mark Sheldrake (2007). A real mix of league and non-league stuff covering a long period of time. Well presented book with lots of good pictures of old programme covers.

WestBerksPalace
Youth Team Star

Jun 25, 2012, 5:37 PM

Posts: 291
Location: Tilehurst, Reading.
Team(s): Crystal Palace and Epsom and Ewell

Post #11 of 20 (1201 views)
Shortcut

Re: [stourboy] Books by ground hoppers [In reply to]	Can't Post or Reply Privately

'Anoraknophobia: The Life and Times of a Football Obsessive' by Rob Grillo is a fantastic read and well recommended for any non-league fan.

The dullest ground hopping book I read over the last 10 years. Very self indulgent. Sorry Rob, but I didn't enjoy it!

'Far from the massive crowds' is excellent. Also very good is 'The Brown sauce is off'.

(This post was edited by WestBerksPalace on Jun 25, 2012, 5:39 PM)

D A
First Team Star

Jun 25, 2012, 5:40 PM

Posts: 1788
Location: Airstrip 1 , Oceania.
Team(s): Airstrip 1.

Post #12 of 20 (1197 views)
Shortcut

Re: [WestBerksPalace] Books by ground hoppers [In reply to]	Can't Post or Reply Privately

In Reply To

Guess no cheque for you !

'I'm not cynical. I'm just experienced'.
29/11/2012. Anyone need numbers for Cheddar F C please p/m.

robgrillo
First Team Regular

Jun 25, 2012, 6:35 PM

Posts: 1322
Location:
Team(s):

Post #13 of 20 (1183 views)
Shortcut

Re: [D A] Books by ground hoppers [In reply to]	Can't Post or Reply Privately

Ha ha no ! It is very self indulgent though, the title sort of gives it away really..... !

But I happen to think his book is brilliant............ Cool

Chris Harte's 'sportshopping/groundhopping/reportinghopping' adventures are most entertaining:

A SPORTSWRITER�S YEAR, Chris Harte, 1997
A YEAR IN THE SPORTING PRESSBOX, Chris Harte, 1998
THE RAMBLINGS OF A SPORTSWRITER, Chris Harte, 1999
THE REMINISCENCES OF A SPORTSWRITER, Chris Harte, 2002
THE RECOLLECTIONS OF A SPORTSWRITER, Chris Harte, 2009
WATCHING BRIEF � THE TRAVELS OF A SPORTSWRITER, Chris Harte, 2010

KEIGHLEY'S SOCCER HISTORY...out now... www.robgrillo.co.uk

(This post was edited by robgrillo on Jun 25, 2012, 6:48 PM)

WestBerksPalace
Youth Team Star

Jun 26, 2012, 9:49 AM

Posts: 291
Location: Tilehurst, Reading.
Team(s): Crystal Palace and Epsom and Ewell

Post #14 of 20 (1117 views)
Shortcut

Re: [robgrillo] Books by ground hoppers [In reply to]	Can't Post or Reply Privately

The Chris Harte books are superb. Also covers cricket and rugby to a lesser degree.

Thoroughly enjoyed 'I am the gloryhunter' Spencer Austin.

And going back in time, the David Howgate trilogies. Written in the late 80s/early 90s.

'Just to see a game' 'Just one more game' 'Just to see another game'

Makes you realise how much grounds have changed, been lost etc.

Have no idea if these are available anywhere, but well worth getting hold of. Wink

(This post was edited by WestBerksPalace on Jun 26, 2012, 9:50 AM)

Richard Rundle
Chelsea Transfer Target

Jun 26, 2012, 1:44 PM

Posts: 3965
Location:
Team(s):

Post #15 of 20 (1083 views)
Shortcut

Re: [WestBerksPalace] Books by ground hoppers [In reply to]	Can't Post or Reply Privately

In Reply To

The Chris Harte books are superb. Also covers cricket and rugby to a lesser degree.

Really? I've only seen the first two and found them self-absorbed and rather arrogant.

Tim
Chelsea Transfer Target

Jun 26, 2012, 2:01 PM

Posts: 3650
Location: Stourbridge
Team(s): Stourbridge, Welton Rovers, Taunton Town, Dorchester Town, Bibury

Post #16 of 20 (1078 views)
Shortcut

Re: [Richard Rundle] Books by ground hoppers [In reply to]	Can't Post or Reply Privately

I can confirm that the fifth book also matches Richard's description.

Ancient Wolf
Youth Team Star

Jun 26, 2012, 2:30 PM

Posts: 375
Location: Birmingham
Team(s): Middlesbrough and Norton and Stockton Ancients

Post #17 of 20 (1072 views)
Shortcut

Re: [robgrillo] Books by ground hoppers [In reply to]	Can't Post or Reply Privately

In Reply To

many thanks Smile

cheque is in the post........

Rob
There is a copy in Walsall library. Gets taken out now and again.
Hope you get the PRS!!?

R.S.Cavendish
First Team Sub

Jun 27, 2012, 11:59 AM

Posts: 1029
Location:
Team(s):

Post #18 of 20 (996 views)
Shortcut

Re: [Ancient Wolf] Books by ground hoppers [In reply to]	Can't Post or Reply Privately

Not any more. The government have cut it to virtually zero and closed the main office.

danielmak
Junior Team Sub

Jul 13, 2012, 9:55 PM

Posts: 17
Location: Off the Purple Line
Team(s):

Post #19 of 20 (801 views)
Shortcut

Re: [R.S.Cavendish] Books by ground hoppers [In reply to]	Can't Post or Reply Privately

Thanks for the replies. I have read some of what was listed, but many are new to me and look forward to chasing down what I don't have already.

http://www.freewebs.com/footballdvd/

R.S.Cavendish
First Team Sub

Jul 16, 2012, 8:50 PM

Posts: 1029
Location:
Team(s):

Post #20 of 20 (646 views)
Shortcut

Re: [Richard Rundle] Books by ground hoppers [In reply to]	Can't Post or Reply Privately

Could not agree more. They are shocking. I'm told the next one is even worse than awful.

Search for (options)

HOSTED BY SOCCERLINKS v.1.2.3