When Football Was Proper
Having watched football from the terraces since 1980, Snowdon's "A Fistful of Doldrums" resonated deeply with me. He accurately portrays the crucial years at Roker Park from 1977 to 1979. That bit about Bob Stokoe's departure really got me — I remember those days when managers were proper football men, not PowerPoint presenters.
The stories about Gary Rowell are truly captivating, demonstrating how a local boy could still achieve success in those days. What truly impresses me is his ability to capture the essence of the era—the wit and warmth of the Mackem faithful surpass those of even us Londoners. When he describes those "wonderfully wacky" searches for new talent, it reminds me of away days up there, getting absolutely soaked but always finding a friendly face and a cup of tea in the stands. The whole Brian Clough saga reads like a "what-if" story that could've changed football history. The novel isn't just another football book — it's a proper slice of North East life when football was still the people's game.
The stories about Gary Rowell are truly captivating, demonstrating how a local boy could still achieve success in those days. What truly impresses me is his ability to capture the essence of the era—the wit and warmth of the Mackem faithful surpass those of even us Londoners. When he describes those "wonderfully wacky" searches for new talent, it reminds me of away days up there, getting absolutely soaked but always finding a friendly face and a cup of tea in the stands. The whole Brian Clough saga reads like a "what-if" story that could've changed football history. The novel isn't just another football book — it's a proper slice of North East life when football was still the people's game.
