Out of the Blue is the unlikely story of Chelsea's recovery from a season seemingly in terminal decline to winning the FA Cup and delivering improbable victories over Napoli, Benfica and Barcelona, before beating Bayern Munich in their own stadium to be crowned champions of Europe. It's a triumph that came out of the blue.
Beautiful Bridesmaids Dressed in Oranje: The Unfulfilled Glory of Dutch Football is the story of a dazzling football dream. Built on the club successes of Ajax and Feyenoord, it's a utopian ideal that blazed with a bright but ephemeral Oranje flame, scorching the football pitches of the world in the 1970s. Although Dutch clubs dominated the European Cup from 1969 to 1973, until 1974 the Oranje had failed to qualify for a World Cup for 36 years. Two finals then followed in successive tournaments, as 'totaalvoetbal' burst from its chrysalis, proudly revealing to the world its wings adorned with vivid shades of Oranje. The winners were the brides. It was their day, but the Dutch sides were more beautiful, yet so fragile, and football loved them for it. This isn't merely a tale of bridesmaids who came so close yet failed gloriously. It is the celebration of a footballing counter-culture, a revolution, a flame that burned so brightly, but so briefly. It's the story of those Beautiful Bridesmaids Dressed in Oranje.
The story follows Jon Moreton, whose aspirations of becoming a top-flight football player are thwarted by physical limitations. Given a second chance by his friend Charlie Broome, he takes on the challenge of managing the struggling Spanish amateur team CD Retama. As he navigates mistrust from players and the stand-in coach, Sophia Garrigues, Jon must adapt to a new culture while facing unexpected twists in a season filled with football, love, and betrayal.
Following the tumultuous events of his previous experience in Spain, Jon Moreton faces the aftermath of failure as he returns home, grappling with the loss of his girlfriend Sophia and the collapse of his football club. Meanwhile, his former friend Billy Swan struggles with his own demons after betraying their friendship. This sequel explores themes of redemption and resilience as Jon navigates his new reality in England, questioning whether he can salvage his past or if it's truly time to move on. Expect unexpected twists and emotional turns in this gripping continuation.
The Dutch Masters is the entrancing tale of how that iconic white shirt with a broad red band down its centre not only became synonymous with 'totaalvoetbal', but also symbolised the success of the club that created a new paradigm of play. It's the story of how Ajax came to dominate the European game as the epitome of footballing perfection.
O Jogo Bonito! is the magical story of Brazil at the 1970 World Cup, and a team that featured the incomparable skills of Pelé, Rivellino, Gérson, Jairzinho and Tostão. The best team ever. It was Brazil's football in that World Cup that truly defined the phrase 'the beautiful game'.