Sport & Hobbies
Super Squad is a collection of heartfelt messages that pays tribute to those twenty three footballers in the 60s and 70s who paved the way for football as it is today.
Super Squad tells the story of those 23 footballers in the 1960s and 70s, who had the greatest influence on English football; and how that influence laid the path for football as it is today. Football fans of the time witnessed the English First Division produce the two greatest English players and the two greatest Scottish players ever - and one George Best. But we also witnessed the ‘pioneers’; those players who did something for the very first time.
The book deals with the significance of the abolition of the ‘maximum wage’ and the almost immediate effect it had on the game, the salaries and transfer fees. The book also touches upon the huge influence of television – both colour and black and white - during this time.
This isn’t just the story of those players, who stood out through their greatness alone. This is also the story about the players who were overlooked, the players who were unfairly mocked and the players who were forgotten - Super Squad seeks to honour their legacy.
Here's what readers have to say about this book....
Thoroughly enjoyed this book. Obviously written by a proper fan of football it's very subjective and makes no apology for being so. I disagreed with several choices and grumbled about some 'clear' omissions, but that was missing the point - the squad is a list of the author's favourite players, and it leads you to come up with a super squad of your own.
This book gave me a hit of nostalgia. It made me think of the first FA Cup Final I ever saw in 1976. It is a great read. Whelan knows what he's talking about. So bring on the next book.
Written by an author who clearly loves football this book was a wonderful introduction to players I was too young to have seen play live that has sent me down a YouTube rabbit hole of highlights. Well researched and brilliantly crafted to place each player into context without losing the emotion of what football is meant to be about. A great read and I look forward to any future work.
Each chapter is crafted with immense care and great affection, plus respect, for both the individual players and the sport itself. A true labour of love from a passionate, knowledgeable fan of the beautiful game.
I have just finished reading “super squad“. I’m not a football fan and it is absolutely true that I last went to a professional football match in 1966. It was Crystal Palace against another team at Selhurst Park. However, everything can be interesting, when approached and described by someone who is an enthusiast and can write. The enthusiasm clearly comes through, and the writing is fluid, fluent, and elegant. I enjoyed reading the book, not because I have become a football fan, but because it writes interestingly about people who achieved significant things (I almost said goals…) In their chosen albeit necessarily brief careers as players of football.  Well done, Colin!