Football book with Blades chapter - free event in Sheffield this week

[DanielGray]

Hello!

I know you're mobbed with book events at the minute in Sheffield, but, er, here's another. I'm doing a talk at Sheffield Library this Wednesday (30th), 6.30pm.

The books is called 'Hatters, Railwaymen and Knitters: Travels through England's Football Provinces', and has a chapter on Sheffield. It is a mixture of travel writing, social history and football. I had a superb time visiting Sheffield and researching the Blades, and that's reflected in a bit of a love-letter of a chapter.

Here's more on the book here:

http://danielgraywriter.com/hatters-railwaymen-and-knitters/

There have, thankfully, been some lovely reviews so far, which I'll paste beneath this.

Cheers, Sheffielders!

Dan

‘Excellent.’
David Conn, the guardian

'Highly recommended.'
Oliver Kay, The Times

'Gray brilliantly interweaves social history, modern day public and political life and, of course, football itself...Highly recommended.'
The Telegraph

‘[Gray] writes like Lowry paints. Superb.’
BBC Lancashire

‘Like a footballing version of Bill Bryson’s Notes from a Small Island.’
FourFourTwo magazine

‘A wryly-observed history lesson on lower league football and proper Englishness.’
Loaded magazine

'A story of towns, their people, their histories, their clubs, and a ruddy bloody great read.'
Love Middlesbrough blog

‘Among urban blight, his astute eye can pick out details that are funny, redeeming or both…Book of the Week.’
Bradford Telegraph and Argus

'Daniel Gray does an excellent job of writing a football book that is about more than football.'
No Nay Never blog

'Superb...a shrewdly observed and at times caustic cocktail of social history and travelogue.'
Middlesbrough Evening Gazette

'More than just a tale of sport, Gray's quest becomes a voyage of discovery...His humour and passion may well win over even the most reluctant of football fans.'
Easyjet Traveller magazine

'Superlative...The book is beautifully written; pessimistic and damning, yet joyful and full of love for the game...wonderful.'
When Saturday Comes magazine

'A delight. It’s the kind of book, filled with astute observations of small details, that might just convince the most confirmed football sceptic why football has such a place in our culture....a book to savour and to make you think.'
New Statesman

‘It is perhaps obvious to compare Gray to Nick Hornby given the subject matter, yet the comparisons stretch beyond a passion for football… Beautifully written, nostalgic and reflective, this will also appeal to fans of Simon Armitage, Stuart Maconie and Tim Moore.’
Books with Bunny blog

 

[VespaBlade]

Not had chance to see the video but I like the pics (especially the Bradford Vacancies one)

 

[JohnDenver]

Kudos for avoing the "W" word.

Chapter Two – Sheffield [United, but with mention of The Rest]

 

[raul]

GGTTH........

 

[Deadbat]

Read the book. Excellent read and very favourable to both Sheffield; and United. Would recommend it. The book reads as more of a social commentary on Britain with a tour of various footballing towns/cities as the backdrop.

However, it hits the nail on so many things and shows some of the difficulties/issues some places have that perhaps Sheffield does not have as much (not so much wealth but the levels of racism, division, crime/drugs etc).

 

[DanielGray]

Vespa - cheers, loved snapping away, though you do get funny looks taking pictures of, say, bus shelters in Luton.

JohnDenver - looks like we might have a Spanish Civil War interest in common. My first book was on said conflict and we do a lot of commemorative events up here in Edinburgh.

Ah cheers, Deadbat, that's ever so kind of you for saying. I loved my travels and research. Still a bloody interesting country, this.

Anyhow, I came on to day this:

Alas, have had to postpone the event tomorrow night; will hopefully be back in the Spring.

 

[Russ]

V
Anyhow, I came on to day this:

Alas, have had to postpone the event tomorrow night; will hopefully be back in the Spring.

I'm not surprised. Did they explain to you that you aren't allowed to talk in the library?

Good luck with the book, I thought the photos were good as well.

 

[2ndtenorblade]

Looks good, ordered the Kindle edition.

 

[JohnDenver]

JohnDenver - looks like we might have a Spanish Civil War interest in common. My first book was on said conflict and we do a lot of commemorative events up here in Edinburgh.

Alas, have had to postpone the event tomorrow night; will hopefully be back in the Spring.

Indeedy. If you come back drop a message on here and I'll come along if I can. Might even buy a book.

 

[broomhillblade]

Since it's 'pushing one's book' time, there's still a few copies of The Jimmy Hagan Story going at half price. Check out eBay.

 

[Wapping Blade]

I picked this up earlier this week, very good and perceptive IMHO, though the politics won't go down well with some of the more swivel-eyed on here. Interesting up-beat views on Sheffield from an outsider, certainly compared to Middlesborough. The chapter on Boro could have been written about Sheffield by a Sheffielder.

 

[Trigger Blade]

I haven't read it, but I feel sure it's no Fever Hitch

 

[Ted Danson]

I picked this up earlier this week, very good and perceptive IMHO, though the politics won't go down well with some of the more swivel-eyed on here. Interesting up-beat views on Sheffield from an outsider, certainly compared to Middlesborough. The chapter on Boro could have been written about Sheffield by a Sheffielder.

As someone whos lived in both places I can confirm that Middlesborough is far shitter than Sheffield in every way (except for Parmos)

 

[KenMcnaughtsNuts]

As someone whos lived in both places I can confirm that Middlesborough is far shitter than Sheffield in every way (except for Parmos)

I'm sure i've been there on holiday. Don't remember it being in Middlesbrough though.

 

[DanielGray]

Hello all

Far too late notice I know, but if you're at a particularly loose end before the Orient match tomorrow, I'm now doing this postponed event at 12pm in Sheffield Library. I pledge to be done by 1pm so you can get to the pub.

Here's a review of the book from WSC:

http://www.wsc.co.uk/reviews/63-General/10635-hatters-railwaymen-and-knitters

Very best for the rest of the season,

Dan

 

[raul]

Dan,

Glad you've popped up again. Been meaning to buy the book but will struggle to get down tomorrow. Is it still available online anywhere?

 

[Eskimo]

I've read it. Its good. Fully recommended

 

[JohnDenver]

Hello all

Far too late notice I know, but if you're at a particularly loose end before the Orient match tomorrow, I'm now doing this postponed event at 12pm in Sheffield Library. I pledge to be done by 1pm so you can get to the pub.

Here's a review of the book from WSC:

http://www.wsc.co.uk/reviews/63-General/10635-hatters-railwaymen-and-knitters

Very best for the rest of the season,

Dan

I'll aim to get there. Had intended to buy a copy for the old man at Chrimbo but he chose a bottle of Highland Park instead. Sorry.

Might well get a copy tomorrow though...

UTB.

 

[raul]

I'll aim to get there. Had intended to buy a copy for the old man at Chrimbo but he chose a bottle of Highland Park instead. Sorry.

Might well get a copy tomorrow though...

UTB.

Grab me one whilst you're there would you Jade.

Either

 

[DanielGray]

I would've opted for the Highland Park too. Look forward to meeting you.

Thanks, Eskimo!

Raul, in theory it should be in the usual online places, though give me a shout if not as I have 36 of the buggers to shift!