As well as writing about football I read about it. The photograph shows just a few of the football titles I have at home. The pile doesn't include the non-fiction titles I own or have borrowed for research. I'll save that for another time. Football is notoriously difficult to write about. It is, after all, a spectator sport, meant to be watched or played. When I first took my idea about a girls' football series to OUP, my publishers, they weren't keen. They felt it was too 'niche' - in other words, only a few people would like it. I don't think this is true - and luckily Walker Books agreed with me and took the books on.
The thing about football is it has everything any reader could want - drama, excitement, variety, a twist in the tale, wonderful characters and thrilling adventures. What's not to like?
Children's football stories have been around for a long time. The Times newspaper is currently running a piece on the best sports books of all time and in at number 48 is the Roy of the Rovers Annual 1954-2000. Ask anyone over 30 in your family about Roy of the Rovers and they'll tell you all about the things he got up to with Melchester Rovers.
The first children's football book I became aware of was The Goalkeeper's Revenge and Other Stories by Bill Naughton published in 1961.
Sim takes on Bill Thropper, who reckons he's the best centre-forward since sliced bread and all goalies fear him.
After that came Michael Hardcastle, who for a long time was the only writer to focus on football stories for children. He's also a Huddersfield Town supporter and therefore a thoroughly decent bloke. Rob Childs then seemed to take over as well as Michael Coleman with his Angels FC series.
However, my TOP SIX favourite children's books on football are:
Keeper by Mal Peet published by Walker suitable for aged 10+
This story had me gripped from page 1. Check out http://www.paulfaustino.com/ for more
Match of Death by James Riordan published by OUP (out of print) aged 10+
Based on the true story of Dynamo Kiev/FC Start during World War 2.
Foul Play by Tom Palmer published by Penguin
First in the Football Detective series following the adventures of Danny Harte aged 9+
Cool by Michael Morpurgo
A moving story about a boy in a coma and how football helps him recover aged 7+
Football Mad by Alan MacDonald, John Goodwin and .. erm... Helena Pielichaty published by OUP.
Four excellent stories (one in particular is outstanding!) for aged 7+
Bend it Like Beckham by Narinder Dhami published by Hodder
Groundbreaking book about culture clashes and girls playing football.
Also check out Paul Cookson's poetry books on football including:
published by Macmillan
Paul is an Everton fan (http://www.paulcooksonpoet.co.uk/)
There are many other exciting series around - Stadium School by Cindy Jeffries and Seb Goff, Soccer Squad by Bali Rai and The Beautiful Game by Narinder Dhami as well as many, many stand-alone titles. There's never been a better time for football fans to read about their favourite topic. So, if training's cancelled again because of the lousy weather, you can always curl up with a good book.
Helena Pielichaty is a children's writer. She is currently editing book 10 of her Girls FC series published by Walker Books (http://www.walkerbooks.co.uk/)
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