Fathers of Football: Great Britons Who Took the Game to the World - Softcover

"Keith Baker profiles several of these pioneers of the world game, many of whom remain relatively unknown in their home country. Some of the individuals profiled here may already be familiar to football readers. More obscure are the Charnock brothers, Clement and Harry, who do not have so much as a Wikipedia entry between them, despite the role they played in the development of football in Russia. They deserve to be better remembered. Baker places the growth of the game into wider historical and social context. But his concise and informative book pays tribute to their individual achievements, and provides an illuminating record of their contributions to the world game." --When Saturday Comes

"Concentrates upon a handful of Brits responsible for spreading the word regarding the beautiful game. It's a relatively short book, but could have easily been twice as long, such is the fascinating nature of the subject matter. Each of the characters featured are worthy of a book on their own. Fathers of Football reminds us that Britain's rich sporting legacy is something of which we should be proud, but never, ever, boastful." --SportsBookoftheMonth.com

"Football needs no introduction. Its popularity spans countries, languages, cultures and backgrounds. But how many of us know the roots of the sport that is more like a religion for us? How many of us are aware of the people who helped its expansion across the world and shaped it into what it is today? Keith Baker sheds some light on some of these men and traces the beginnings and development of football around the world. The stories, often humorous anecdotes and individual details, are the heart and soul of this book. It does it in fine style - succinct and in depth which is high praise since it isn´t a very long book. Should certainly be savoured leisurely, one chapter at a time so that we honour and remember those men whose lives were spent in pursuit of the evolution and growth of the game they were passionate about - a passion and love we now share." --FootballPink.net

"Scots Footballer Hailed For Taking Game To Europe. He was a Celtic stalwart who helped bring Scottish-style football to continental Europe. John Madden, a Scotland international revered during his playing days for his ferocious shot, became a legendary figure in the former region of Bohemia, now part of the Czech Republic, having introduced unheard of methods such as dietary regimes, gymnastic sessions and alcohol bans. The story of Madden's life and career is told in Fathers of Football, a new book that recalls British players and managers who left their homeland before the First World War to shape the game abroad. In the book, which also explores the legacy of other Scottish football figures such as Alexander Hutton, Mr Baker points out that many of those who popularised football around the world used the Scottish style of play as their blueprint, with an emphasis on close control and swift, accurate passing." --The Scotsman

"Keith Baker tells the story of a group of these pioneering men who established clubs for their own recreational purposes, many of which developed into famous clubs that survive today, notably AC Milan and Barcelona. An interesting and informative read." --Soccer History magazine

"An intriguing look at how football took root in Europe and South America thanks to the efforts and energy of expatriates. And how, in many of these countries, the pioneers are revered and still honoured. The author tells an intriguing story of why that is, and how much is owed to Britons spreading the gospel." --Peter Berry, Programme Monthly

"Ever heard of James Spensley? The life of this Englishman, a physician from Sunderland, is full of soccer romance. Thanks to his pioneering spirit and his great love for the sport he grew into one of the 'Fathers of Football'. Author Keith Baker portrays in this book many football evangelists such as James Richardson Spensley. He brought football in Italy to life. For a long time it was assumed that he was killed during the Gallipoli Campaign, but exactly one hundred years after the founding of Genoa, in 1993, his tomb was found in Germany. In Genoa exists today Spensley Park and to his former home in the city is a memorial plaque attached. In the stately club museum of Genoa FC, the first champion of Italy, is a prominent place reserved for him in the Hall of Fame. The football world can be proud of these and other English patriarchs. Read about them in the exciting Fathers of Football. 5 stars out of 5." --Panenka magazine, Netherlands

The long-overlooked story of a number of adventurous Britons who left their homeland before the First World War to inspire and shape the growth of modern football in continental Europe and South America. Drawn from widely different backgrounds, their motivations and contributions were diverse - helping to form legendary clubs now supported by millions across the globe; bringing revolutionary changes to the way football was taught and played, and laying the foundations on which the game would continue to flourish. Full of entertaining accounts and anecdotes from the birth of the global game, Fathers of Football places the lives of these innovators soundly in historical and social context. They all left a deep and lasting impression on football in the countries they worked in; yet for too long Britain turned its back on their lessons and achievements. Even today they remain largely unknown - prophets more honoured abroad than at home.