When I received my copy, I will admit
that it was with a smidgen of excitement. I've been aware of this book
since its was first mentioned to me back in Christmas of 2005. I was
also in the knowledge of what kind of information that was going into this
book, it was complete information, not just a shoddy list. For want of a
better word - this is the official bible of Wembley.
All football fanatics know that Wembley
is the home of English football, but this book shows us to what extent this
home became, and I don't mean just opening the front-door, peering in, then
driving off. This book will welcome you indoors, show you each and every
room, even down to the decor and the lining of the curtains, and if you missed
something first time around, it will gladly take you back and show you the
pattern on the carpet.... please tell me if I take this analogy too far, but
like the book, it knows of no bounds.
We may all know that the very first
match at Wembley was the FA Cup final of 1923, but who of us seriously knew
that Ealing Association, of the Southern Amateur League, used Wembley Stadium
as a home ground for the 1928-29 season. Simply knowing it is one thing,
but to list all those home games is another... and that's just one example on
why this book is in a league of it's own. Nothing comes close, and no
doubt, there will soon be the also-rans.
I can probably go on and on about how
good this book actually is, but what I must tell you about is what it's
contents.... I mean, apart from every football match played there between 1923
and 2000, with an accompanying match report... with goalscorers... and
line-ups in the majority. But every music concert too.... and everything
else that donned the sacred Wembley turf, apart from Speedway and the Women's
League of Health and Beauty display of exercise.
To put it simply, if you want to know
how many football matches were played at Wembley Stadium, then this is for
you. If you need to know which footballer played the most times at
Wembley Stadium, then this is also for you. If you simply must know how
many times your favourite team strolled onto the hallowed turf, then, again,
this is for you. If you really want to know if Billy Joel played Wembley
in 1998, or who the hell the Women's League of Health and Beauty are, then
this is a must.
Good work Glen, and well done on
accomplishing one of your dreams.
____________________
"Wembley - The Complete Record" is the definitive
masterwork on what was the world's most famous football stadium. All 386 of
the big matches - internationals and FA and League Cup finals and replays, etc
- have a report, as well as the teams, scorers and attendance, while the teams
and attendances from all the other games - schoolboy internationals, lesser
cup finals - have details only. There is also a chapter on other occasions at
the stadium - the horse of the year show, American football games, etc. Glen
Isherwood is the 'old' Wembley's official statistician and author of 'Wembley
- The FA Cup Finals', published in 2003. - Amazon.co.uk synopsis
To buy:
Amazon
To buy:
Tesco
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