Karen Dobres' "Pitch Invasion" reads like a conversation with that friend who can't stop talking about their newest passion, except this passion is dismantling gender inequality in football. Through an unlikely journey from fashion model to football club director, Dobres crafts a memoir that's as much about personal transformation as it is about institutional change.
The book's genius lies in its timing. As women's football rides an unprecedented wave of popularity with the Lionesses' Euro victory still fresh in memory, Dobres' account of Lewes FC's radical equality experiment feels less like a pipe dream and more like a blueprint for the future. Her story of how a small club in East Sussex decided to pay male and female players equally isn't just brave; it's almost absurd in its simplicity. Why hadn't anyone done this before?
Dobres writes with refreshing candor about her transformation from someone who couldn't sit through a match to becoming a passionate advocate for the sport. Her self-deprecating humor disarms readers as she navigates the male-dominated world of football governance. The book reveals the unique culture of Lewes FC, where vegan snacks and Prosecco are freely consumed, and yes, even gay pirates make an appearance. It's football culture reimagined without losing the game's soul.
The author's background as a counselor brings unexpected depth to her observations about institutional change. She doesn't just tell us about transforming football culture; she helps us understand why people resist change and how to overcome that resistance. The club's fan-owned model, which offers an accessible £5 monthly membership, serves as a practical illustration of how to establish inclusive institutions from the foundation up.
Some readers might find Dobres' occasional digressions frustrating, but these detours often reveal fascinating insights into the inner workings of a revolutionary football club. Her account of how match attendance jumped 84% after the Lionesses' victory isn't just a statistic; it's a vindication of Lewes FC's vision.
"Pitch Invasion" is more than a sports book. It's a reminder that change often comes from unexpected places and that sometimes the most powerful revolutions start with someone saying, "Why not?" Dobres shows us that football's future might just be found in a small town in East Sussex, where a former model decided to take on the beautiful game's ugliest problem.
ROYAL MAIL TRACKED 48 [Delivered to You Second Week August 2025]
Publisher: Cassell
Published: July 31, 2025
Price: £22
Hardcover: 304 pages
ISBN-13: 9781788405881
Dimensions: 240 x 156 (mm) 
British Pound Sterling
Czech
