Steve Tongue's "Yorkshire Turf Wars" isn't just another regional football history; it's the story of how England's largest county shaped the very soul of the beautiful game. As the fourth installment in his acclaimed Turf Wars series, Tongue digs deep into Yorkshire's claim as football's spiritual home, starting with Sheffield FC's founding in 1857 and tracking through to the modern era.
The book masterfully chronicles Yorkshire's pivotal role in football's evolution, from the first blood-and-thunder derby between Sheffield FC and Hallam to the fierce Steel City rivalries that still ignite passions today. Tongue's narrative weaves through the rise of Wednesday and United, the golden eras of Leeds and Huddersfield, and the rollercoaster fortunes of clubs like Bradford and Barnsley.
What sets this work apart is Tongue's keen eye for the characters who've defined Yorkshire football. Drawing on his extensive experience as a broadcaster and journalist, Tongue vividly depicts the charismatic managers, resilient players, and controversial owners who have shaped the region's sporting landscape.
For nine decades, Yorkshire maintained an unbroken presence in England's top flight, a testament to the county's football prowess that Tongue explores with both statistical precision and narrative flair. He captures the pride and passion of a region where football isn't just a sport but a way of life, where local rivalries run deeper than coal seams, and where every match is played with the weight of history bearing down.
"Yorkshire Turf Wars" stands as both a vital historical document and an engaging read, proving that in God's Own Country, football has always been more than just a game; it's been the heartbeat of communities, the maker and breaker of reputations, and a source of fierce local pride that continues to this day.
The book masterfully chronicles Yorkshire's pivotal role in football's evolution, from the first blood-and-thunder derby between Sheffield FC and Hallam to the fierce Steel City rivalries that still ignite passions today. Tongue's narrative weaves through the rise of Wednesday and United, the golden eras of Leeds and Huddersfield, and the rollercoaster fortunes of clubs like Bradford and Barnsley.
What sets this work apart is Tongue's keen eye for the characters who've defined Yorkshire football. Drawing on his extensive experience as a broadcaster and journalist, Tongue vividly depicts the charismatic managers, resilient players, and controversial owners who have shaped the region's sporting landscape.
For nine decades, Yorkshire maintained an unbroken presence in England's top flight, a testament to the county's football prowess that Tongue explores with both statistical precision and narrative flair. He captures the pride and passion of a region where football isn't just a sport but a way of life, where local rivalries run deeper than coal seams, and where every match is played with the weight of history bearing down.
"Yorkshire Turf Wars" stands as both a vital historical document and an engaging read, proving that in God's Own Country, football has always been more than just a game; it's been the heartbeat of communities, the maker and breaker of reputations, and a source of fierce local pride that continues to this day.
