Best, Pele, and a half-time Bovril - Andy Smart

The 1970sthe last decade when every fan of every soccerclub could wish for the stars

For supporters of provincial lightweights like Derby County, Nottingham Forest, and Leeds United, their wishes came true in the seventies when they landed the Division One title. It was the decade of the underdogwhen the FA Cup was still soccer's Holy Grail and teams like Sunderland, Ipswich, and Southampton came in from the sticks to produce their own brand of Wembley magic. It was the decade when every team had its characters: Stan Bowles, Charlie George, Duncan McKenzie, Frank Worthington, Tony Currie, Rodney Marsh. These personalities are gone now, replaced by an influx of anonymous foreign journeymen. This book harks back to a lost era when the game still belonged to the fans; they could identify with the players, recognize their heroes, and believe they all had a shot at glory. It remembers dramatic matches packed with action and controversy; recalls mercurial managers like Shankly, Clough, Revie, and the Docand asks the question: who was the finest player from soccer's last great decade?