West Midlands Turf Wars: A Football History

In the third volume of the Turf Wars series, Steve Tongue explores the history of football in the West Midlands, including rivalries between Aston Villa, Birmingham City, West Bromwich Albion, and Wolves, as well as turf wars between Burton and Walsall and Stoke City and Port Vale. The book features a colorful cast of characters, including Stanley Matthews, Billy Wright, Major Frank Buckley, and Ron Atkinson.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 352 pages
Publication date: 27 September 2021
Publisher: Pitch Publishing Ltd

In the third installment of the esteemed Turf Wars series, journalist and broadcaster Steve Tongue delves into the rich history of football in the West Midlands, where the world's first Football League was conceived and administered over 130 years ago. By that time, fierce rivalries had already taken root, and they continue to thrive as fiercely as anywhere else. Aston Villa and Birmingham City, known as Small Heath Alliance, were established within a year of each other, mere miles apart, as were their equally bitter neighbors, West Bromwich Albion and Wolves. Similar to the turf battles in London and Lancashire, off-the-pitch conflicts also erupted in Burton and Walsall, where the largest local clubs merged to carry the name of their town forward. However, the Potteries witnessed a significant uproar when Stoke City and Port Vale contemplated a similar amalgamation. This captivating narrative encompasses the stories of both large and small clubs, as well as non-league counterparts, featuring a diverse cast of characters. Among them are legendary figures such as Stanley Matthews, Billy Wright, Major Frank Buckley, and Ron Atkinson, alongside notable names like William McGregor, Jimmy Hill, and the formidable Doug Ellis.

Weight: 408g
Dimension: 140 x 216 x 29 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781785318658