edited by Iain Whyte
Football would be nothing without the fans – men and women, girls and boys (perhaps even a few dragooned animals!) whose commitment has often been likened to religious devotion. So Football’s Faithful Fans, which is raising vital money for African development projects through the Homeless World Cup, gives Scottish supporters (a number of whom are clergy, with others from rather different backgrounds) a platform to say what fitba’ means to them: hopes, dreams, rugged belief and, sometimes, sheer desperation! It’s funny, thoughtful and entertaining – a bit like the Beautiful Game itself. Whether you’re a fan or not, and whether you follow football in Scotland or elsewhere, here is an enjoyable insight into what might be gently called ‘supporter psychology’…
July 2019 PB, 110pp, 229 x 152 mm 978-1-9161733-0-9 £9.99. US$12.00. €11.00. CAN$17.00. AUS$17.50
USA: Barnes & Noble / Amazon.com
Canada: !ndigo
UK: Abe Books / Amazon.co.uk / Bertrams / Blackwell / Foyles / Waterstones
Australia/New Zealand: Booktopia / Fishpond
Iain Whyte, who has edited this collection, is a Church of Scotland minister, historian, academic … and a long-suffering St Mirren and Scotland supporter. So he feels your pain. He really does.
Entertaining, informative, and giving those who buy it an opportunity to help change the lives of young people in Africa. This book reads well. Many thanks for putting it together and thinking of helping our African teams. Petros Chatiza, Coordinator, Young Achievement Sports for Development, Zimbabwe
This is fun to read and helps some brilliant African youngsters change their lives for the better. David Duke MBE, Founder and CEO of Street Soccer Scotland
Great to see the women’s game and the Women’s World Cup feature large in this collection … and all for a great cause! Alana Watson, football researcher and marketer
As women’s football is especially showing right now, the beautiful game belongs to us all … so we all need to believe a bit more in Scottish football! Paul Goodwin, Founder and CEO of the Scottish Football Supporters’ Association
Anyone whose life combines faith and football – and the personal trials that come with both – will enjoy this lovingly gathered collection of stories. Graham Spiers, sportswriter and broadcaster
A serious yet light hearted book that puts football in perspective. Richard Holloway, writer, broadcaster, former cleric, and chair of Sistema Scotland