Book Review – itv seven – James Durose-Rayner
Dec 30th, 2015 by 'holic
Back in February I reviewed the first of a planned trilogy by James Durose-Rayner. I Am Sam appealed initially due to my fondness for Jon Sammels, whose story was interwoven into the tales that surrounds one Lee Janes, or Mr Arsenal as he was otherwise known.
Take that fictional sports media mogul, chuck a variety of made up characters and real people* into the mix, add a couple of very real ‘Arsenal missed out on the double’ seasons, and you have the ingredients for yet another fascinating read. The follow-up, itv7, is now available.
(*If you engage in social media you will recognise some familiar names)
There is a twist to the unfolding of the story with chapters alternating as observed through the eyes of the principal character and his estranged wife, Jeanette. I will leave it to female readers to judge how well that works, but I found it a brave way to unravel the tales. The book opens with Lee having just become a father (to Sammy, I smiled) with his new wife Emily.
He has also sold the company with whom he had made his name. Without giving away too much of the plot after turning down offers from NBC and Fox Sports in New York Lee is hired by ITV to run their new weekend football channel, as well as creating additional content for them.
Again though the author has hooked me with the content of his football documentaries. There is a focus on Arsenal’s near-miss seasons of 1958/59 and 1972/73. I retain little of the former, having turned two midway though the season, but have vivid memories of the latter. There is a mine of useful information plundered from hours and hours of exhausting research about signings Arsenal made and those that got away.
It’s not just Arsenal that are documentary subjects. Memories of Sheffield Wednesday and the bribery scandal of the sixties are recalled, and there is even a mention for Robin Friday, an old favourite of mine at Reading and subject of the book, ‘The Greatest Footballer You Never Saw’ (thank you neighbour). As the tale draws to a close with the launch of the new channel so Jon Sammels is re-introduced, a co-presenter on opening night.
Now for all the wonderful Arsenal memories this is principally a novel. A gift for your nine year old Gunners mad offspring it is not. However the clever weaving in of the parallels between two near miss seasons, and even the 2014/15 season in which it is set, makes it a good read. It is available from Amazon and you will find a link to it in the sidebar on the right hand side of the blog.
I’m already looking forward to the final instalment in the trilogy.
53 Responses to “Book Review – itv seven – James Durose-Rayner”
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Bergkamp scores again. Even if it is nearly 2016.
Get in…..
Might have a read of the post now?
Controversial I know, but it is the silly season.
🙂
Another one to add to the list.
Cheers H.
I’ll have to be content with an assist then 😉
BTW I missed your wonderful tribute to Don Howe and dug up the 1971 FA cup final highlights video for my kid: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6nO8hCbqG4
I won’t share his remarks with the holics though 😉
Meanwhile I was still adding to the last round, interrupted only by a phone call from daughter asking if I was all right after the earthquake (which I hadn’t noticed), so might as well post it here as well, continuing discussion about players from different eras…
Never mind Invincibles vs Ozillians I’m not sure any of them, or any of today’s players (bar Messi perhaps), would get in an all-time world XI, except as bench starters.
Which of my world select would you replace with God, TH14 or Ozilla (or any current player in the world)? Or any other player from any era, if you wish to suggest your own all-time best.
Yashin
Santos (Djalma) Beckenbauer Moore Maldini
Garrincha Maradona Cruyff Best
Pele van Basten
Oskar
Holic
Thanks for this. After Christmas I have about fifty books to read but this looks like fifty one. I can enlighten you on the 58/59 season as it was my first as a supporter. We finished third to Wolves, the champions and Man Utd who recovered exceptionally well after Munich.
We had a free scoring attack but rather depended on Jack Kelsey to stem the goals against us. I can remember us beating Chelsea 3-0 at the bus stop( which had a greyhound track around it then) and we won 6-1 at Everton.
David Herd was our main scorer but we also had Danny Clapton on the wing and Jimmy Bloomfield in midfield. I remember us buying Tommy Docherty and Jackie Henderson and seasonally losing 6-1 at Luton on Boxing Day and winning 1-0 at Highbury the day after. I wouldn’t call it a near miss. We led the table until Christmas after not having won it for a number of years but faded in the New Year…oo- er!!!
Great team OTD . Might you include someone who could win the ball? Or did you work on the basis that they would never lose it!
Good point, TTG. I think the fullbacks could win the ball and Beckenbauer would collect some as sweeper, otherwise the front six would simply score however many were needed to win (plus a few to spare).
In context I would have a problem dropping one of the six for one of ours. Possibly Henry for Best, but that would be it.
Oskar
Steve, I hope you are around on Saturday? Or post match the following Saturday as I will be taking pizza with the grand’holics before the Mackems in the Cup.
Matt, I was behind the goal that Charlie smashed the winner into. Let me tell you at fourteen I was in bits when the Mickeys took the lead.
Oskar, whilst these things are subjective I don’t think there is much wrong with that eleven in our lifetime.
TTG, the dog track at the bus stop. Had to go because the dogs were more entertaining… 🙂
At the back I’ll argue for Franco Baresi not only because he was a beast in his time but also because after all these horrid years (decades) of catenaccio variations Italy deserves more recognition for the generations of extraordinary defenders that have made their fame.
Although likely not the best my personal favourite ball-winner is Claude Makelele. So anonymously efficient he was shipped off Real Madrid who took years to recover and went on to make Chelsea dominant again. The only player I remember you would be sure if the ball got within 10 yards of him he would get it, amazing anticipation, very pure defensive technique, no frills. He’s currently assistant to Blanc at PSG I’m looking forward to see him manage in the future.
In midfield just for sheer viewing pleasure I’ll have Zidane in it.
And it may surprise you but I can’t imagine an all-best team without Gerd Muller. Perhaps it’s because I was an impressionable kid at the time but I can’t think of any striker that instilled so much fear and resignation in the opposition. He’s the one who gave Germany their reputation of an ever winning team. At the time you knew that if your team faced Der Bomber their fate was sealed. There are surely better strikers than him, the two you selected are all-time greats. But put Der Bomber in it and you’ve won the game before it even started.
`Holic: watching that video I was thinking how it must have been to be in there, man the crowds were wild in those days.
Nicely reviewed, ‘Holic. Something else to add to the reading list. I think that also resolves the match report issue. Just write what takes you.
I had the pleasure of watching Robin Friday when he was playing Isthmian League football in the early 1970s. If ever there was a prime example of how the footballing gods bestow the most outrageous talent on those least equipped to make the most of it, that was him.
Otd@5: Not a bad selection, though, as TTG points out, not over endowed with defensive qualities, and you wouldn’t get much tacking back out of that midfield. One of two of them might even been good enough to get a run out with the Golders Green Ramblers on occasion. I might have found a place for Puskas, though, and Banks and Zoff would have been pushing Yashin for the honour of guarding the onion bag.
Sounds interesting H. Like Trev I have a pile the size of the Ritz to get through before I am allowed any more books.I’ll have to start emulating the Holic pound to get rid of my pocket money. 🙂
Not a bad team there Oskar. I too would replace Moore with Baresi and look for a ball winner in midfield. Maybe Dave Mackay to replace Garrincha pushing Maradona out to the right. I would keep van Basten over Muller. That team would have enough ‘bite’ to allow the fancy dans to play.
Yes, Ned, but the Golders Green Ramblers were in a league of their own, and unchallenged in it I dare say. Unfair to ask the likes of Pele and Cruyff to mix it with them, although I’d happily sacrifice Maradona to the Ramblers’ hitmen.
Oskar
Ned
None of Oscar’s team would get in the Ramblers first eleven,but a couple might have made the full squad of around 18 players on our books at the time.!!
Oscar,
Nothing could be further from the truth about being in a league of our own.
We played in violent times.
The Edgware/Colindale/Hendon/Brent and Hampstead teams were just as mad as we were.
But the worst by far were the Burnt Oak Bombers,with them it was all out warfare,kill or be killed.
They were the Wimbledon of the 60’s. !!
If you got through a game with them in one piece,or indeed survived atall,then you could survive anything.!!
Players sent off or carried off,it was always carnage.
And for some reason they saved their most violent performances for the ‘ Nancy Boy Ramblers from the posh parish of the Green. ‘,as they were wont to call us.
I still have the scars. !!
Clive, I’m roaring here 🙂
I remember the actual Wimbledon of the ’60s well, Clive. In fact I had a trial for them (they were non-league at the time). It was a mudbath of a trial and I scored from a free kick which was intended as a cross to a player running in on the far right side but went instead off the inside of my foot into the top left.
Despite that I was declined, I suspect because I was a nice Surrey lad rather than the South London thug type they were looking for. But I had ongoing problems with an achilles anyway and had to give up football. Instead a mate and I opened a rock n roll club where, incidentally, I found it much easier to score.
Oskar
I’ve been round for years H.
Clive. I can’t seen any of the old NBR making it in today’s game. If you thought the bombers were though back then I dread to think what they would make of today’s bunch.
A very interesting take on the integrity of Wenger
http://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/arséne-wenger-can-teach-us-all-a-lesson-in-decency-1.2480404
Excellent link, TTG. Thanks for that.
written by mc cann , i see
not a a man to get into an argument with
sharp as a tack
that’un
Sounds interesting, H – time is my unforgiving guv’nor at the moment though.
And, as bath said, room for any more books !
TTG, great link.
To quote the end of the article, about AW and Boro Primorac –
“They are among the handful who allow the rest of us to keep the faith.
All true lovers of football will want this to be Arsenal’s year”
now that i’m here
a happy new year
‘holic and ‘holics
all the very best to you
UP THE ARSENAL
And to you, cba.
And to all ‘holics.
And especially to the Guvnor – with thanks for another year’s top blogging.
And, yes, any style of report is just fine.
Health, happiness and a Premier League title for 2016 to one and all.
I cannot but repeat the words of cba@23 and Trev@24.
Thanks to the Guvna for all his penmanship, wit and good humour.
A very happy, healthy and wealthy new year to Holic and all Holics when it comes.
Slainte.
I will add my halfpence to the words of cba @23 and Trev @24.
Thank you Guvna for your penmanship, wit, wisdom and good humour throughout another year. It is a recurring pleasure to visit this establishment.
I wish a very happy, healthy and wealthy new year to H and all Holics everywhere.
Happy and Healthy New Year to Goonerholic and to all the regulars and lurkers. The Durose-Rayner trilogy sounds like a good read and I will get to it eventually. Maybe after the third one is published but it is at least now on my list. 🙂
Hear! Hear!
“All true lovers of football will want this to be Arsenal’s year.”
May I wish all Holics a very happy 2016 and a title winning second half of the season. I treasure the repartee on here, the sensible counsel and deep regard for the club we love. Above all huge thanks to Holic who has built a wonderful community on here. Thanks Guv.
COYG! ?⚽️
Wish everyone all the best for the new year, and a special thanks to the Guv’nor for keeping this bar open all hours!
Thanks for the review Holic – that’s another interesting read added to the list.
May I take this opportunity wish all patrons of the bar a very happy, healthy & properous new year. You are all great company which has helped me through a difficult period of my life. Last and not least of course a special thanks to the Guv’nor who makes this such a great place to read & chat – you are simply the best!
Golders Green or Nancy Boy? You can’t have it both ways. 😀
Joining in here, Happy New Year to holics everywhere.
Everyone stay safe on new year’s eve and have a great 2016.
great article, ttg, thanks.
a happy new year to all, and here’s to a 2016 filled with joy (not least because we win the league), health, and laughter with friends and family.
and, as others have said, thank you holic. you’ve made this, and keep it, the most fun and (in)sane spot for gooners to be on the nets. sto lat!
Elneny medical passed. Hoping the work permit is not delayed so we can have the lad on the books as soon as we need him (NOW!).
http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/english-soccer/basel-s-mohamed-elneny-passes-medical-ahead-of-arsenal-move-1.2481669
Should’ve posted the Guardian story about the Elneny transfer, which the Irish Times seems to have lifted directly except for the picture including a smiling Elneny and a bewildered Elneny junior. Cute kid, and I hope the British authorities will take it into account in hastening the work permit.
Guardian story for the authorities to peruse:
http://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/dec/31/arsenal-mohamed-elneny-basel-medical?
Clive@15: I’ve heard tell that after games the Burnt Oak Bombers would feed what was left of their opponents to the dogs at the old track near Staples Corner. Different game. Different times.
Happy New Year to all herein from all at Castle Ned, and most of all to the Guv’nor for, as others have said above, keeping this place going all hours, in all weathers, fair or foul, and with such unending good humour. More that we all deserve.
If the Elneny signing proves to be well founded and at at price of 10 million euros, Basel has done some astute business. The Egyptian was valued at 4 million euros until recently, and Basel paid only 640,000 euros to buy him from Arab Contractors SC.
Wishing all the patrons and their families a joyous and prosperous New Year and sincerest of gratitudes to the bar owner for running this superb establishment. May there be many more trophy laden decades of Arsenal banter here over the drinks.
There is no trophy to earn for a very good Calendar year, but we were exceptionally good in 2015. Our win rate of 67.3% was best ever in any calendar year in our history. We top the 2015 PL table, 9 points ahead of city, and our three main goal-scorers with impressive goals-to-game ratios. Altogether 24 clean sheets in the year also point to improving defensive resilience. All positive trends and hopefully to be continued and improved …
http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/20151230/behind-the-numbers-arsenal-in-2015
A brief note to say a much appreciated thanks for everything H.
Its a privilege to read whatever you write whenever you manage to find the time.
Happy 2016 to all. This is our year methinks.
What’s all this ?
A transfer target passing a medical ahead of the window opening, all ready to sign – not to mention play – on 1st January ?
I’ll believe it when it’s all up there on dot com, as usual. The whole work permit issue is a worry at this point and you’d have to say that passing an Arsenal medical is hardly a guarantee of ongoing roadworthiness.
Still, if he is real, and fit, and legal, let’s welcome him with open arms and hope that our Elneny can wreak as much havoc on our opposition as his Pacific cousin ElNino does on the rest of us.
Mad props to the ‘holic for another top urar if the blogging.
Best bar around.
Its the Jameson this new years for me. Black barrel. Not too shabby! Glasses the bar for holics far and wide.
Happy 2016 to ‘Holic and all ‘holics.
COYG
Thanks to all. I wish you a happy and, more importantly, healthy new year.
I went to a New Years Eve house party up in Scotland with Mrs TTG last night all set to have a dry January but in the temporary casino which we visited only briefly we won a 12 year Royal Lochnagar , the local distillery and a meal for two with wine in the restaurant. So the dry January will extend into February but not begin until our return!
It’s just as well whisky is at hand because floods have made it virtually impossible to get around. It was heartbreaking to see people in Ballater baling out their homes and shops yesterday .
Let me make it plain that Royal Lochnagar is the local distillery and that I did not win the local distillery. That would have been cause for celebration. ?
Happy New Year to the land lord and all who drink in this most excellent establishment. You not only keep me informed but highly entertained with personal anecdotes, analysis and banter, not forgetting Trev’s puns.
Raising a glass to a great second half of the season. Much will depend on our two inspirational players remaining fit and having the space to play their games. It looks to me that when Ozil is marked out of the game no one else is capable of using the space and raising their game (Southampton) and in the case at Norwich we literally gave up when Alexis left the field. Stoke and Liverpool away this month may be season deciding games. Hoping for early reinforcements and the return of some back from the sick bay, hoping!
See you all at the Ems tomorrow.
COYRs
Happy 2016 everybody, may it bring us all lots of smiles and trophies to the Arsenal. May the top of the table position continue! Cheers.
Happy New Year!
😀
Half-Ton!!
Happy New Year, all.
Here is some New Year’s Day trivia to get the year underway:
Ollie G has scored more goals against Newcastle than against any other club — eight in seven games. Plus he has one assist and always been on the winning side. Remarkably, he started in only four of those games. He has played a full 90 mins just once and averages 54.6 minutes a game.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>