FOR YOUR READING PLEASURE..............

In a perfect world every League of Ireland club would have a book written about them. When you think of the history and longevity of many clubs that have graced the League of Ireland there’s a case for a couple of books, let alone one penned effort, such is the love of the club by their respected fans.

There is that old chestnut about everybody should write a book but trust me, that’s bollocks – especially if you are dealing with the hallowed history of a club that has been around before your grandfather, or your grandfather’s father!

In doing JUST FOLLOW THE FLOODLIGHTS I had to actively seek out the men behind the pen of those books dedicated to a club, to A) Get a better feel of the club and its history and B) getting those valuable little statistics to make people think ‘Jesus, I didn’t know he scored the 4^th goal in the 5-0 win over Drumcomdra back in 1968’.

In my acknowledgements I thanked just over a dozen authors for their knowledge which made compiling the book easier. Yet still there are a few clubs that’s definitive history remains unwritten.

In trying to piece that information together I tried my level best not to leave out any team, though to the best of my knowledge Bohemians, Galway United, Longford Town and Monaghan United’s tome remains unwritten whilst I can’t be sure about St Patricks Athletic and presume Wexford Youths haven’t, though it’s still rather an embryonic stage for Mick Wallace’s men. If I’m wrong please forgive me.

However I can endorse the following:

‘The Hoops’ by Robert Goggins & Paul Doolan

Absolutely superb publications from the lads. Robert helped with the Rovers stats which went hand in hand with the clubs success. Winning titles & cups were fine but getting the names to various triumphs was crucial. His knowledge of the very early years of the club was commendable. Produced another ‘Hoops history book in March of this year.

‘We are Rovers – an Oral history of Shamrock Rovers’ by Eoghan Rice

A novel way of putting his publication together (and getting a publisher to boot), Eoghan’s book is made up almost completely of quotes from a multitude of Shamrock Rovers players past and present. The style might not be everyone’s cup of tea... fortunately for me I liked it, and the amount of work it took, getting so many people involved in the first place.

‘Drogheda United – The Story So Far’  by Tom O’Reilly

Tom was generous to a fault, always willing to lend a hand, and indeed some of his info and pictures are included in the book (one priceless effort of the very first LOI meeting between Drogheda & the clubs would be arch nemesis Dundalk FC.)

‘DUFC – A Claret and Blue History’ by Brian Whelan

Lovely sheen to the book, some great stats, stories, and the better of the two publications on the Drogs. What helps author Brian Whelan is the rollercoaster ride that the Boynesiders went on in more recent times (around 2005-2009) which really produces a story of ecstasy then agony, then a little bit of joy again. Brian again gave me an insight to the book and some very valuable answers to my host of questions.

‘A Century of Cork Soccer Memories’ by Plunkett Carter

Plunkett is an amazing man. Truly amazing. His knowledge of any Cork side to have represented the Rebel County, from Fordson’s to Foras, is unequalled. I could actually have written a book on Cork football myself with the wonderful antidotes and archival bits and pieces he gave me. His century of soccer moments from Cork is a must buy (if you can still get it) for any fans of football on the Leeside.

‘The Bass Book of Irish Soccer’ by Sean Ryan & Noel Dunne

One of the older publications on the market that’s very hard to find. That’s a pity because the Bass book is a dual effort from Noel Dunne & Sean Ryan (or Mr. Statistic as I call him) which should be on your shelf. Great info. Ryan went on to produce the more recent ‘Official Book of The FAI Cup’ which stands alone as a tome to the Blue Riband, every game, every goal covered and a few stories thrown in for good measure.

‘The Irish Football Handbooks’ (Various editions) by Gerry Desmond & Dave Galvin

Running Plunkett Carter extremely close for the ‘fountain of knowledge leeside’ is Gerry Desmond. Along with co-author Dave Galvin, the handbook was the bible for League of Ireland fans back in the day. Again a publication that’s thin on the ground, mainly because it would sell out so fast, getting your hands on one of the publications which certainly enrich your knowledge of the league.

‘The Finn Harps Story’ by Bartley Ramsey

Has the look and feel of a high class publication churned out by a publisher which is even more reason to credit Bartley Ramsey on his self-published tome to Finn Harps. It’s a near 300 page history of the Ballybofey outfit and their sudden rise to fame in the early seventies after decades of being in the doldrums. The pictures (and quality) are stunning and backed up by just the right amount of info. A book to be proud of.

Getting Joe’s mobile number proved elusive at first but when I did, and finally meet the man, his knowledge was so important. The Bit O’Red has a history dating way back to 1928 so there was a lot to cover. Jimmy Surgeoner, Harry Litherland, Paul Magee, Chris Rutherford, Tony Fagan, Willie McStay and a gentleman named William Ralph ‘Dixie Dean’. Amazingly the one fact I couldn’t get for a complete 100% definite, was the highest attendance at The Showgrounds, though it once played host to a Eucharistic prayer meeting of 60,000 people ;)

‘The End of an Era - A History of Limerick Senior Soccer at the Markets Field 1937-84’’ by Aidan Corr & Bernard Spain

Two fabulous League of Ireland football men with a knowledge of the Shannonside club simply like no other man alive. To have one involved was great, to pin down two men and pick their brains – a sheer delight. Bernard’s antidotes were rivalled at every turn by Aidan with both men having an astonishing knowledge for facts and figures. With the rise in Limerick Fc it might be worth re-issuing the book as it has the one ingredient that is missing from the current clubs position....Markets Field. When you think and talk about Dalymount, Milltown or such, Markets Field was always talked about in the same breath, making it all the more reason to have this book.

‘A History of Sligo Rovers’ by Joe Molloy

Getting Joe’s mobile number proved elusive at first but when I did, and finally meet the man, his knowledge was so important. The Bit O’Red has a history dating way back to 1928 so there was a lot to cover. Jimmy Surgeoner, Harry Litherland, Paul Magee, Chris Rutherford, Tony Fagan, Willie McStay and a gentleman named William Ralph ‘Dixie Dean’. Amazingly the one fact I couldn’t get for a complete 100% definite, was the highest attendance at The Showgrounds, though it once played host to a Eucharistic prayer meeting of 60,000 people ;)

  

 ‘The History of Mervue United AFC 1960-2010” by William Henry

Though Mervue are still relative newcomers to the League, they do have a 50 year plus history which is well dug into in this book. Fair dues to William Henry and the lads at the club who helped fill me in with details which included a famous floodlight failure and a pesky monregel that could have scuppered United ever coming into the League.

‘Gods Vs Mortals’ by Paul Keane

A book like no other in that it takes a chunk of League of Ireland clubs who travelled into Europe to take on the continents finest. Okay it didn’t lead to many victories and there’s a fair few hammerings recited inside Paul’s book, but it’s still an absolute joy to read. 10 games are covered in all – Shamrock Rovers, Waterford, Athlone Town, Limerick United, Dundalk, Bohemians, Galway United, Derry City & 2 from Shelbourne. A great read with some wonderful quotes.

‘The History of Dundalk FC – The First 100 Years’ by Jim Murphy

Quite possibly the best of all the publications. The depth of knowledge that runs throughout the 485 pages is staggering. Jim Murphy has produced a book for the ages that simply won’t be topped by any other publication on the Oriel Park outfit. Even better, the Dundalk man breaks the book down season by season, adding a mesmerising amount of stats, from goalscorers, subs, sending’s off along with some truly glorious pictures. If you are a Lilywhite’s fan you simply have to have this book.

Believe me there are a whole host of League of Ireland books past & present out there to be discovered. Other favourites include MUD, SWEAT & JEERS, from Kilkenny City’s owner Jim Rhatigan, ‘WHO NEEDS CANTONA WE’VE GOT ROD DE KHORS’ on the mercurial man who had a multitude of spells with Athlone Town becoming a cult hero!

‘STRING OF MY HARPS’ a no holds barred effort from former Finn Harps manager Patsy McGowan, once the darling of Ballybofey, still a much talked about figure among fans of Harps and Sligo Rovers. Eamon McSweeney’s personal tale of footy in the North West who's name escapes me at the moment (4 brandys into this piece ;)  and you will also find more recent history books on BRAY WANDERERS, UCD along with an effort from Tolka Park in ‘ SHELBOURNE CULT HEROES’

Last but not least.....To keep things as up to date as possible ,TALLAGHT TIME , an ode to Shamrock Rovers dealing with the Hoops long awaited move to their new home in south Dublin, and the recent success that followed it, was released recently. Although not the first book on Rovers, it is the only publication that deals extensively with a period that included two back to back titles, Micheal O' Neill , Gary Twigg and the small matter of qualifying for the Europa League. By mostly bypassing the well covered overall history it gives the book a different edge, whilst appealing to a younger generation (not that it won't be bought by the old heads as well.)

I Know I’m probably forgetting a few so forgive me!