They like lager (in huge quantities), the Queen, football clubs (especially Manchester United), and themselves. Their dislike encompasses the rest of the known universe, and England's soccer thugs express it in ways that range from mere vandalism to riots that terrorize entire cities. Now Bill Buford, editor of the prestigious journal Granta, enters this alternate society and records both its savageries and its sinister allure with the social imagination of a George Orwell and the raw personal engagement of a Hunter Thompson.

    In tracing the history and design of over 150 European stadiums, the author visited every major World Cup and club venue from 33 countries, noting en route not only their architectural development but also their place in the sporting and social milieu.

    Here is everything a fan wants to know about football, presented in a decade-by-decade format with newspaper articles, cartoons, photos, charts, and statistics--all providing a comprehensive inside look at football from the '20s through the '80s.

    The celebrated coach shares his philosophy of football, profiles players he has coached, and recounts key moments in his career.