Half-and-half scarves? VARs? England winning penalty shoot-outs? Modern football can be baffling. But if you're contemplating throwing it all in for the simpler pleasures of quantum mechanics, don't despair just yet: help is at hand. In Goalless Draws, David Squires unpicks the modern game with an unmissable selection of his Guardian football cartoons from 2014 to the 2018 World Cup. From the ever-dizzying managerial roundabout to the absurdities of the transfer window, and from the annual tradition of poppygate to the 'stable genius' of José Mourinho, the result is a riotous reminder of all the pitfalls of the modern game, as well as everything that keeps us coming back for more.

In contrast to literary or cultural studies linguistics is not taught in the EFL classroom, yet, it plays a major role in any English language teaching degree. Given this discrepancy it does not come as a surprise that students sometimes ask: "I want to be a teacher! Why do I need all this?" The main goal of this textbook is to demonstrate the relevance of linguistic expertise for the EFL classroom. It explores a wide range of topics (phonetics/phonology, lexis, corpus linguistics, text linguistics and the power of language) with a clear focus on providing a convincing answer to the question above. With its highly accessible style and layout, a wealth of examples and exercises as well as a large range of additional innovative online materials this textbook sets out to convince its readers that they will be better teachers if they are good linguists.

The dramatic and controversial history of the world's leading tournament. Brian Glanville's classic account is a celebration of the great players and matches from Uruguay in 1930 to Germany in 2006 - and a bold attack on all those who have mismanaged the 'beautiful game'.

Revised and fully up-to-date, thisbiography includes the 20092010 season and tells the story of one of world football's true mastermindsArsene Wenger transformed Arsenal football club. The world-class manager from France developed the Gunners into a team capable of challenging for top domestic and European honors every year. His three Premiership titlestwo of which came in "Double" winning campaignsare evidence of Wenger's unique tactical skill and his famous ability to spot talented young athletes. Arriving almost unknown to English football, his incredible achievements have shown that Arsene and Arsenal have been a perfect fit. He inspired the likes of Dennis Bergkamp, Patrick Vieria, and Thierry Henry to produce the best form of their careers. Now the phenomenal boss, nicknamed "The Professor," has signed a new contract which commits him to the club until 2011, and Arsenal fans can look forward to a bright, red future."

Winner of the Best Football Book at the British Sports Book Awards and shortlisted for the William Hill Sports Book of The Year 2009 'Written with warmth and understanding, the book for which African football has been crying out.' FourFourTwo Featuring a new foreword by the author, Feet of the Chameleon has been newly released in digital format to coincide with 29th African Cup of Nations in January 2013. A comprehensive study of African football, Ian Hawkey traces the development of the world’s favourite sport through the tangled history and complex social and political life of this fascinating continent. Drawing on a range of sources, including interviews conducted with individuals involved in all levels of the African game, his own extensive experience and years of research, Ian Hawkey, international football correspondent for the Sunday Times, has crafted a unique and remarkable book to satisfy the surge of interest in African football. Engagingly written and comprehensively researched, drawing on a range of accounts from those at grass-roots level through to the very top tiers of African football, Feet of the Chameleon is a compelling mixture of analysis and insight that delves deep into the history of the game in a continent fragmented by history, language and politics. Ian Hawkey is a meticulous and knowledgeable guide to this complex subject, and he has produced a timely and entertaining study of African football’s colourful history, players, supporters and legends.

Dave Bassett is one of football's colourful characters. He is the man who led Wimbledon to their FA Cup triumph in 1988. His talents are renowned throughout the football league. In his autobiography he reveals the stories that have been the hallmark of his amazing career.He reveals the truth behind his four days in charge of Crystal Palace, his fiery relationship with Elton John at Watford, the boardroom battles during his time at Sheffield United and also the chain of events that led to his rejection of Manchester City.He also explains his philosophy of football which has led to his success and made him one of the personalities in the history of the game.'Fantastic - The best football book of the year.' - The Mirror

As supporter, player and broadcaster, John Gwynne has enjoyed a lifelong passion for football. In 'Soccer Satisfied' we follow a footballing journey which originated in the Shropshire countryside of the 1950s. Shrewsbury Town was the local league team but a move to Manchester triggered over sixty years of undying love for Manchester City. This sky blue thread weaves through the book, interspersed with memories of John's own playing career at grass roots level, anecdotes from his broadcasting career on local radio and for Sky's 'Soccer Saturday' and memorable evenings on the dinner circuit. John has met and befriended many great characters including Bert Trautmann, Denis Law, Jimmy Armfield and Gordon Banks. Meetings with Sir Matt Busby, Bobby Moore and Sir Alex Ferguson have left a lasting impression. Pain and passion are felt as he writes movingly of the Munich tragedy and the death of his beloved and ever-supportive wife Margaret. On a lighter note, there are a host of humorous anecdotes and one of broadcasting's most distinctive voices can be heard on every page. 'Soccer Satisfied' is a warm, nostalgic journey connecting two quite different eras. The game has changed markedly but John's enthusiasm for it has not dimmed.

Planet Football profiles twelve great players, moving from Alfredo Di Stefano and Pele, stars half a century ago, to the current global presence of David Beckham and Lionel Messi. Here are the sublime skills of Eusebio and Johan Cruyff, the determined spirit of Kevin Keegan, Bryan Robson, and Gary Lineker, plus the wayward genius of George Best, Diego Maradona, and Eric Cantona. Besides the contribution of these players to the development of the game, there are fascinating tales from off the pitch. Andrew Godsell is the acclaimed author of several books, including The World Cup and Europe United: A History of the European Cup / Champions League.

Football FAQ is a fast, furious, and opinionated guide to the world's most popular game, an all-encompassing history that introduces readers to the biggest clubs, the greatest games, the finest players, and the fiercest rivalries. From Sunderland to Seattle, from Berlin to Buenos Aires, Football FAQ delves into every aspect of the sport, tracing its development from a victorious Anglo-Saxon army kicking the heads of their fallen enemies around a field, to the multibillion-dollar industry of today, and every stop in between. Record breakers and giant killers alike file through the pages, illustrating the beautiful game as it is played at every level, from the World Cup Final to the village green, with fully updated commentary on all the world's major competitions, including the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.