{"title":"Author: Neil Fredrik Jensen","description":"","products":[{"product_id":"the-great-uncrowned-footballs-most-celebrated-losers","title":"The Great Uncrowned – Football's Most Celebrated Losers","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe story of football's ultimate bridesmaids, those clubs and national teams that were good enough to win the major prizes but, for various reasons, didn't. In an age where victory is often viewed as the be all and end all, this book celebrates the teams that were beaten by bad luck, limited resource or an outstanding set of players. Published in 2022.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\nSize: 143mm x 223mm – 272 pages.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Soccer Books Limited","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45003766104343,"sku":"9781801501774","price":12.75,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0726\/0546\/6903\/files\/TheGreatUncrowned.jpg?v=1684504161"},{"product_id":"the-summer-of-total-football-the-1974-world-cup","title":"The Summer of Total Football – The 1974 World Cup","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe story of a memorable 24-day period in West Germany during the summer of 1974. Spearheaded by their captain, Johan Cruyff, the dynamic Netherlands team introduced a new style of play, known as 'Total Football', which is still revered to this day. However, the hosts, galvanised by their own talisman, Franz Beckenbauer had other ideas and refused to be overawed by the Dutch to win their second World Cup. Published in 2024.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSize: 143mm x 223mm – 317 pages.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Soccer Books Limited","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48912453075223,"sku":"9781801507219","price":14.25,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0726\/0546\/6903\/files\/SummerOfTotalFootball.jpg?v=1715951718"},{"product_id":"journey-into-the-unknown-british-footballs-early-adventures-in-european-club-competitions","title":"Journey into the Unknown – British Football's Early Adventures in European Club Competitions","description":"\u003cp\u003eAn exploration of the early years and development of pan-European football competition alongside changing British attitudes to overseas teams.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere was once a belief in Britain that England and Scotland were among the leaders in the development of football and therefore de facto champions of the game. But when UEFA introduced a competition for Europe's top clubs, the Brits got a rude shock. It soon became clear that sides like Real Madrid, AC Milan and Benfica possessed more technically gifted players, and that Football League clubs had much to learn.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis fascinating book:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eExamines the development of pan-European football competitions, from the Mitropa Cup and Latin Cup to the introduction of the European Cup in 1955\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eExplores the reluctance of England to get involved, from the stand-off with FIFA to the Football League denying Chelsea the chance to enter the first European Cup\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCovers Scotland's early adventures, with Hibernian the first club to play in European competition and Rangers making early strides\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLooks at Manchester United's early years in Europe, ending with the Munich tragedy in 1958, including Sir Matt Busby’s role in encouraging British involvement\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIncludes how Europe influenced clubs like Tottenham Hotspur, the first English trophy in 1963, Celtic's success in 1967 and Manchester United winning the European Cup in 1968, Cup Winners' Cup successes and Liverpool’s domination of Europe\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTurns the spotlight on British xenophobia and the threat of playing abroad, with violence on and off the pitch and suggestions of cheating\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDiscover how European club competition became an exciting spectacle that opened the football community's eyes to just what was possible. Scotland and England gained a foothold in Europe, but things took a disastrous turn with the Heysel Stadium tragedy in 1985. Published in 2025\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSize: 129mm x 198mm – 286 pages.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Soccer Books Limited","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55938209284478,"sku":"9781836801580","price":11.24,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0726\/0546\/6903\/files\/JourneyIntoTheUnknown.jpg?v=1752236394"}],"url":"https:\/\/soccer-books.co.uk\/collections\/author-neil-fredrik-jensen.oembed","provider":"Soccer Books Limited","version":"1.0","type":"link"}