The author is in Ottawa Monday & Tuesday. Ottawa Writers Festival event Tuesday noon with Dave O’Bidini of Home & Away fame. Continue reading
Writers Festival with Bidini
TWIAB Nominated for William Hill Irish Sports Book of the Year
The World Is A Ball is longlisted for the William Hill Irish Sports Book of the Year Award. Continue reading
What is a “professional” football player?
In The World is a Ball somewhere there’s a rant about how, in England, being a “professional” football player means something vastly different from what it means in Italy. Or Spain. Or Germany.
Toronto’s M.L.S. Team Is Testing Patience of Its Fans
TORONTO — In a sports bar one recent night, the bartender was giving away collectible beer glasses bearing the Toronto F.C. logo and motto, “All for One.” For some, those words are hard to swallow right now.
These are desperate days in Toronto. Within a month, it seems, Toronto F.C. has gone from a beloved team to the focus of bitterness and anger. There is an interim coach and, at 8-13-7 before Saturday’s game, no possibility the team will make Major League Soccer’s playoffs. Ticket prices are rising. Some players have been invisible on the field, and others want more money. Continue reading
Good luck in Slovakia
Ireland moves on shakily after loss to Russia in Dublin. Backs to the wall, boys… Continue reading
Football writer wins Nobel Prize for Literature
Which is kind of like the World Cup in the writing racket. About our man Mario Vargas Llosa – “To assuage his lifelong passion for football he has written about the game for El País.” Continue reading
Coming Friday…
Euro 2012 Qualifying. Ireland vs Russia. In Dublin. Oh Lordy. Continue reading
Andy Keogh says Hello
In The World is a Ball I tell the tale going to Bari in Italy to see Italy play Ireland in a World Cup qualifier. In the post-match mixed zone I talked to young Irish player Andy Keogh, a shy lad. Out on loan at Cardiff now, he scored the last minute winner against Millwall yesterday… Continue reading
The saddest story ever told
Liverpool on its knees. Thoughtful analysis here… Continue reading
Tweet from great Jason de Vos
Recently alerted to a mention by the great Jason de Vos about The World Is A Ball. Back in June, jasondevos Tweeted: Met John Doyle, author of The World Is a Ball, this morning. Interesting stories. Really enjoy reading his unique perspective on the game. Continue reading
Help us, Special One. Please help!
Portugal asks Jose Mourinho to take charge for 2 games. They needs him. Continue reading
Toronto FC cleans house
And about time too. Toronto FC clears out the duds. (Well done Paul Attfield on the early morning scoop.) Continue reading
Who put the ball in the Barca net? Valdez! Valdez!
A football story straight out of Dickens… Continue reading
International Bestseller
And now, if you peer closely at the cover of the US edition, you’ll see it says, “International Bestseller.” So there. Continue reading
U.S. cover design
And then… there is the beautifully designed Cover for the U.S. edition of The World Is A Ball, coming this Fall from Rodale. Continue reading
Coming in October
The cover the Canadian paperback edition of The World Is A Ball. Coming October. Updated with an overview of World Cup 2010. Continue reading
Bend It Like Carlos
You’ve heard of Bend It Like Beckham. Well check out a bending ball kicked by Roberto Carlos of Brazil in 1997. Now, science says it’s no fluke, this kind of artistry…
11 weeks and still kicking
The World Is A Ball now 11 weeks on the (TBM BookManager) Bestseller Lists. Continue reading
Toronto FC moves on
Well done the lads! Congratulations Toronto FC…. Continue reading
