God Save the Team: Fighting for Survival at Euro 2000 Book

Eddy Brimson must be among the most prolific of current Football writers. Following a quartet of books on football violence and a novel on the same subject--all co-written with his brother Dougie--and an account of events at the 1998 World Cup in France, reformed hooligan Brimson's latest, God Save the Team deals with happenings at the Euro 2000 tournament played in Belgium and Holland. Whilst the usual trademark accounts of violence between rival supporters and local police remain, this time Eddy has added more elements to the mix, using the story as a platform for the views of one who sees himself as an average follower of the national team. England's failure to deliver a decent performance comes under the microscope, of course, along with the press, the FA, the players and the money in the modern game; pampered millionaire superstars attract much of the Brimson vitriol. Another notable theme is the author's refusal to join the media-led attacks on erstwhile manager Kevin Keegan, seen as decent man trying his best to do a good job in a difficult situation. As ever the hooligan problem contributes some of the account's starker moments, but that aside Brimson covers many issues at the heart of football today, and not without a little humour. The result is an impressively rollicking read for anyone who cares about the state of the national game, from the perspective of a travelling fan (rather than the media). Surely, though, Eddy's views would attract more serious attention if he were to drop the now overplayed football violence angle? --Trevor CroweRead More