Glory, Goals and Greed

Dec 24, 2024 9:10 PM

Author:Joe Lovejoy

The FA Premier League was born 20 years ago, on 23 September 1991, and has since established itself as the most popular club competition in world football. At the start, however, there was opposition from the players' union and the Football League. Then the breakaway elite were faced with the exposure of the game's 'bungs' culture, which stained the reputations of Brian Clough and George Graham, among others.

After weathering that storm, the new league was threatened again by the very real possibility of financial meltdown, which was averted only by the controversial takeover of many top clubs by predatory overseas owners.

Joe Lovejoy reported on the creation of the Premier League for The Independent and revisits the story in Glory, Goals and Greed, interviewing many of the 'founding fathers'. Later, as chief football correspondent at the Sunday Times, he witnessed all the main events and has spoken again to those involved to shed new light on the best matches, best players and standout incidents of the Premier League's enthralling first 20 years.

Reviews

It’s an inspiring, reflective read that’ll make you want to dust your trainers off

—— Andy McNicoll , Professional Social Work

An outstanding read

—— Peter Sharkey , Eastern Daily Press

Eloquent... Lundy explores how and why humans feel drawn to the extreme risks and almost inevitable disasters that single-handedly sailing the Southern Ocean entails... A stirring narrative

—— New York Times

Contains all the tension of a thriller

—— Independent

[An] excellent book

—— Matt Dickinson , The Times

Barclay tells his story and in doing so describes the way the game has changed over the years. We see the famous temper in action, but also a more reflective, generous side

—— Colin Waters , Herald

A firm but fair biography of a footballing legend

—— Guardian

Do we really need another biography of Sir Alex Ferguson?...the answer is unequivocally in the affirmative

—— Independent on Sunday

You'll be hard-pressed to find a book that will tell you as much about the intimidating character and gives such a revealing insight into the legend of British football that is Sir Alex Ferguson

—— Football Fan Cast

Best Sports Biography of the Year

—— Metro

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