Mike Bayly

In which the author spends every other Saturday visiting a non-league ground in the lower outposts of English football. In addition to the usual club history, match report, and anecdotes about access, facilities, food, the weather, and the often scarce supporters, the book's anchor in most of his visits is his interview with club officials. For the most part these are thorough and interesting, though some do have a whiff of being emails rather than conversations. They also are slightly repetitious, for the differences in the challenges facing these minnows are mostly superficial; does it really matter whether the larger club sucking fans away from your catchment area is Manchester United or Charlton Athletic? Despite the author's self-deprecation of his writing ability, he does a good job with his narrative of his visits, and it's enjoyable to share his season.… (más)