Graphic Text Book Michael Barrett Preston North End The Rise Of The Invincibles

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2016 - Invincible Press I'm not a sports fan, so a book about football should not really appeal to me but this true story deals with a major part of my home city's history, In 1889, Preston North End (PNE) became the first and only British football team not to lose a game in an entire year long league competition involving all the professional teams in the UK, and then won the FA Cup too, earning them the name, The Invincibles. It has never happened since, even for PNE. The book, beautifully illustrated in the style of old football comics and carrying a goldmine of local history, sets out the origins of football, the birth of Preston North End against the backdrop of the Industrial Revolution, and as well as thrilling tense recreations of the key matches, the book looks at the political problems of the glorious game's early years too. PNE were briefly banned from the league for importing Scottish players and use of professional players. They protested successfully that an amateur only teams could only work for wealthy clubs who could hire the idle rich. Working class men wanted to play but couldn't afford to without being paid to play. The protests helped to get paid professional players accepted in time for the famous 1889 victories. A lovely book that works as history, art, humour and genuine love of the sport's background. Its appeal goes way beyond PNE's supporter's. Arthur Chappell