New OUFC book: The Glory Years by Scott Walkinshaw

[brinyhoof]

Published today, The Glory Years (Oxford United in the 1980s) by Scott Walkinshaw AKA Oxblogger. Its a really great read. Cheapest place I've spotted it is on Amzaon of course but widely available. The blurb:


The Glory Years chronicles Oxford United’s rise from bankruptcy to Milk Cup Final glory through the 1980s. It's a story of giant-killings and back-to-back titles, surviving mergers, hooliganism and the threat of a new Super League. It's a saga that's never been properly explored – until now.

In 1982, Oxford United faced bankruptcy and relegation from the Third Division when club secretary Jim Hunt made a desperate phone call to the club’s neighbour, notorious publishing magnate Robert Maxwell. Maxwell rescued the club and put it on a thrilling journey towards the First Division under manager Jim Smith.

With back-to-back championships, Oxford defeated Leeds, Newcastle, Manchester United and Arsenal in pulsating Milk Cup clashes at their magical stadium, The Manor. Under Maurice Evans, they survived three seasons in the top flight, winning the richest team prize in sport, the Milk Cup at Wembley in 1986.

The book charts Oxford’s incredible journey from Ian Greaves' arrival in 1980 to relegation in 1988.

Scott Walkinshaw is a lifelong Oxford United fan whose website Oxblogger is one of the longest-running football blogs in the country. His articles, stories and long-reads offer a unique take on the club’s history and fortunes. He has written for Sky Sports, World Football and FourFourTwo, the club programme, the Oxford Mail and has featured on the BBC and in The Guardian.

 

[Emilio]

Had hinted massively at this as a pre-order Christmas present, but nobody went ahead and got it for me. Will be buying this myself, soon enough.

@Oxblogger is always great value, both in blog and podcast form.

 

[lodeyellow]

My copy arrived a short while ago. I’m delighted with it. It’s excellently produced, as in my experience all Pitch Publishing’s books are, and it seems to be very well researched and written. Lots of good photos, too.

 

[Carpy]

Had hinted massively at this as a pre-order Christmas present, but nobody went ahead and got it for me. Will be buying this myself, soon enough.

You been a naughty boy?

 

[Colin B]

I asked when the book launch was first mooted whether it was available in Kindle format. At the time it wasn't, but now it's out, does anybody know if that's still the case?

I'll definitely buy a copy, but I don't want to rush in if a Kindle version is imminent.

 

[Foley]

I am conscious that Amazon keep quite a big % of the sale price.
Does anybody know how to buy directly?

 

[Carpy]

I am conscious that Amazon keep quite a big % of the sale price.
Does anybody know how to buy directly?

This isn't via Amazon by the looks of it:

The Glory Years: Oxford United in the 1980s

The Glory Years Oxford United in the 1980s by Scott Walkinshaw When Lightning Strikes Twice A Tale of Unlikely Glory In "The Glory Years," Scott Walkinshaw has crafted something rare in sports literature: a book that captures not just the facts of an extraordinary period but its soul. As one of...

www.soccerbooks.co.uk

 

[lodeyellow]

Though I do use Amazon, I bought my copy of The Glory Years at a pre-publication price via oxblogger’s site. It was purchased from Bookshop.org, which “supports independent bookshops across the UK”. Their packaging was excellent, much better than Amazon’s.

 

[Jster]

Is it on hive? They support independent booksellers too.

 

[Foley]

This isn't via Amazon by the looks of it:

The Glory Years: Oxford United in the 1980s

The Glory Years Oxford United in the 1980s by Scott Walkinshaw When Lightning Strikes Twice A Tale of Unlikely Glory In "The Glory Years," Scott Walkinshaw has crafted something rare in sports literature: a book that captures not just the facts of an extraordinary period but its soul. As one of...

www.soccerbooks.co.uk

Thanks.
Would probably be good for the author if people use this option!

 

[vcool]

I Saw this on oxblogger's X account yesterday.



Several order option available.

 

[Stranger]

With this and the new Mickey Lewis book out next week, it's looking like my January paycheque isn't going to leave me any money to buy food or pay the bills.

Still, priorities...

 

[brinyhoof]

I asked when the book launch was first mooted whether it was available in Kindle format. At the time it wasn't, but now it's out, does anybody know if that's still the case?

I'll definitely buy a copy, but I don't want to rush in if a Kindle version is imminent.

I'll ask Scott and get back to you.

 

[Maurice Earp]

I will be ordering my copy from Blackwell's (who I used to work for) and will get a discount.

 

[OxBlogger]

Thanks to everyone who has bought the book, or even thought about it. It means a lot. Just picking up a few points...

I suspect there will be a Kindle version, but I don't think it's imminent. All that's controlled by the publisher and I suspect they'll want to shift physical copies first.

Financially, it doesn't make any difference to me where you buy it from, I basically get a very small amount for every copy sold.

Amazon will be cheapest, but they squeeze the publisher by forcing them to sell it at a lower price... and then there's all that 'not paying tax' stuff associated with them. The revenue split for Kindle books is pretty rubbish for the publisher as well.

Bookshop.org stock it - they fulfil orders through independent bookshops, so although it's a bit pricier, it's good to support those people if you can.

Waterstones will have it in Oxford, Witney, Banbury and Didcot and it's available from them online. I'm still to find out whether the club will stock it, I'm hoping so.

 

[Jster]

I just ordered it from hive. I didn't know about bookshop.org which seems better still, by all accounts.

 

[Beech Road Bokelberg]

Just ordered mine via the soccer book webpage above.

Looking forward to it!

 

[Foley]

Just ordered mine via bookshop.org.

Looking forward to it.

 

[Colin B]

Thanks to everyone who has bought the book, or even thought about it. It means a lot. Just picking up a few points...

I suspect there will be a Kindle version, but I don't think it's imminent. All that's controlled by the publisher and I suspect they'll want to shift physical copies first.

Financially, it doesn't make any difference to me where you buy it from, I basically get a very small amount for every copy sold.

Amazon will be cheapest, but they squeeze the publisher by forcing them to sell it at a lower price... and then there's all that 'not paying tax' stuff associated with them. The revenue split for Kindle books is pretty rubbish for the publisher as well.

Bookshop.org stock it - they fulfil orders through independent bookshops, so although it's a bit pricier, it's good to support those people if you can.

Waterstones will have it in Oxford, Witney, Banbury and Didcot and it's available from them online. I'm still to find out whether the club will stock it, I'm hoping so.

Thank you Scott.

I'll buy a physical copy in that case, probably from Waterstones in Oxford, when I'm in the city centre next week.

PS: If the club shop doesn't stock it then there's something very awry there.................

 

[werthersoriginal]

Thanks to everyone who has bought the book, or even thought about it. It means a lot. Just picking up a few points...

I suspect there will be a Kindle version, but I don't think it's imminent. All that's controlled by the publisher and I suspect they'll want to shift physical copies first.

Financially, it doesn't make any difference to me where you buy it from, I basically get a very small amount for every copy sold.

Amazon will be cheapest, but they squeeze the publisher by forcing them to sell it at a lower price... and then there's all that 'not paying tax' stuff associated with them. The revenue split for Kindle books is pretty rubbish for the publisher as well.

Bookshop.org stock it - they fulfil orders through independent bookshops, so although it's a bit pricier, it's good to support those people if you can.

Waterstones will have it in Oxford, Witney, Banbury and Didcot and it's available from them online. I'm still to find out whether the club will stock it, I'm hoping so.

I’ll look forward to getting this, I like your writing a lot!

 

[Stranger]

Thank you Scott.

I'll buy a physical copy in that case, probably from Waterstones in Oxford, when I'm in the city centre next week.

PS: If the club shop doesn't stock it then there's something very awry there.................

It's be surprised if the club shop stocks this or the new Mickey Lewis books as they're not official club publications. Would be good if they did though

 

[Foley]

With this and the new Mickey Lewis book out next week, it's looking like my January paycheque isn't going to leave me any money to buy food or pay the bills.

Still, priorities...

I must have missed this.
Who is doing the Micky Lewis book?

 

[Jonny G]

Thanks to everyone who has bought the book, or even thought about it. It means a lot. Just picking up a few points...

I suspect there will be a Kindle version, but I don't think it's imminent. All that's controlled by the publisher and I suspect they'll want to shift physical copies first.

Financially, it doesn't make any difference to me where you buy it from, I basically get a very small amount for every copy sold.

Amazon will be cheapest, but they squeeze the publisher by forcing them to sell it at a lower price... and then there's all that 'not paying tax' stuff associated with them. The revenue split for Kindle books is pretty rubbish for the publisher as well.

Bookshop.org stock it - they fulfil orders through independent bookshops, so although it's a bit pricier, it's good to support those people if you can.

Waterstones will have it in Oxford, Witney, Banbury and Didcot and it's available from them online. I'm still to find out whether the club will stock it, I'm hoping so.

Thanks OB, I'm going to LOVE reading this. I've just bought from Bookshop.org but might have a look in Waterstones in the morning. If they have it I'll give my dad the bookshop copy when it arrives.

 

[Jonny G]

I must have missed this.
Who is doing the Micky Lewis book?

What's the Micky Lewis book? Have got to buy that one!

 

[CaptainOx]

Mad Dog | Pitch Publishing

www.pitchpublishing.co.uk

 

[OUFCGav]

I must have missed this.
Who is doing the Micky Lewis book?

They had the Brian Horton book in.

 

[lodeyellow]

Back in 2015/16 the club shop also stocked the book A Football Fling by Steve Mingle, one of the directors of isinglass, who were then the club sponsors (it was OK). So I’d hope they’d be happy to support The Glory Years and the Mickey Lewis book.

 

[Emilio]

Sadly neither Soccerbooks nor Bookshop.org deliver internationally, so Amazon it is...

 

[West Oxon U’s]

November 15th 1980.

I was one of the 2,526 in attendance that cold and wet day in 1980 although in reality there was probably less than 2,000 in the Manor Ground.
The club’s lowest ever EFL home attendance. It was Keith Cassell’s home debut as we beat Chester 1-0 thanks to a Joe Cooke effort.

Once Ian Greaves was appointed manager the following month the team’s performances were transformed.

PS: I ordered the book last night (not from Amazon).

 

[Marked Ox]

I'm assuming that this and Mickey Lewis can be ordered through a local bookshop.