"Pitch Invasion" by Karen Dobres is both a timely manifesto and an interesting memoir. It comes out at a time when the sports world is still dealing with big differences between men and women, like female athletes still having fewer job chances and huge pay gaps. This amazing book tells the story of her unlikely rise from fashion model to football revolutionary. It gives a personal look into how both a person and an organisation change.
"Pitch Invasion" fundamentally revolves around breaking down barriers. Once, Dobres couldn't stand to watch a football game. She tells us how she went from not liking football to loving it. Her story cleverly combines personal stories with the bigger story of Lewes FC, a groundbreaking team that is known around the world for its Equality FC campaign. It's not just a strategy for the club to pay male and female players the same; it's a revolution in action.
The real speech of Dobres is what makes this book so interesting. Her self-deprecating humour and honest statements about how she navigated the male-dominated world of football as an "outsider" make her story instantly believable. The author does a great job of bringing to life the strange culture of Lewes FC, which is a mix of traditional football culture and modern values. There are vegan snacks, Prosecco on tap, and even gay pirates.
This book couldn't come at a more important time. Women's professional football is seeing an unprecedented rise in attendance. Since the Lionesses' Euro win, attendance at Lewes FC alone went up by 84%. This makes Dobres' personal account of building a more fair future for the sport all the more important. Her explanation of the club's unique fan-owned model, in which membership costs only £5 a month, shows how action at the local level can lead to long-lasting changes at the institutional level.And the author doesn't mind facing problems. She talks openly about the problems women's football faces, such as lack of money and cultural opposition. However, her hope and drive shine through all of it. This book does a great job of explaining the practical steps that were taken to make gender equality a reality. For example, it talks about efforts to promote equal pay and make match venues more family-friendly.
"Pitch Invasion" isn't just a sports book; it's a plan for changing the way people think and act. We see through Dobres's eyes how a small club in East Sussex became a sign for equal rights in sports around the world. Her change from a reluctant observer to a passionate supporter of women's football is a reflection of how views towards the sport have changed in general.
The writing sometimes gets sidetracked by other stories, but these detours often lead to interesting new information about how a revolutionary football club works. The author's experience as a counsellor gives the story a unique point of view and allows them to make thoughtful notes about how people act and how institutions change.
"Pitch Invasion" offers a fresh and motivational perspective on transforming an organisation from within. It's great for people who are interested in sports, social justice, or interesting personal stories. This autobiography by Karen Dobres is both fun and meaningful. It serves as a lesson that change can come from the strangest places and that everyone can enjoy the beautiful game.
From fashion runway to football revolution: one woman's kick at the status quo.
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) 
