"Dirty Northern B*st*rds" And Other Tales From The Terraces

* A popular history in the style of Stuart Maconie that lets the humour of the terraces shine through.; * The author is a high-profile Sky News journalist who has spent 28 years reporting on conflicts and analysing deep-rooted tribalism.; * Heavy-duty national marketing campaign will target radio, TV (especially Sky Sports), national press, local and regional papers, and all the major clubs.; * Perfect for fans of original and engaging sports writing.; * The reverse side of the book will feature the cover with the alternative title: "Soft Southern B*st*rds!" and other Tales from the Terraces.

The first intelligent and accessible history of football chants in the UK

"This is a book about football and Britain, and Britain and football. You can't fully understand one without the other; and if you haven't got a sense of humour it's not worth even trying."

"My name's Tim Marshall and it's been a week since my last match. I support a football club. That's not just five words; it' s a life sentence."

Why do so many of us attend football grounds, rain or shine, week in week out, to bellow at our fellow countrymen?


Football chants are the grassroots of the game, from the Premier League all the way down to the Conference and beyond. They're funny. And they're sharp. And in the UK they run very deep.

In this witty and insightful account, Tim Marshall tells the story of British football through the songs and chants that give it meaning.

This is a book about the fans, written for the fans, with all the flair and banter that bring the beautiful game to life. No other sport has a culture quite like it.