Collection: Blog

Sometimes maligned, sometimes celebrated, and often misunderstood, the professional football agent is an essential part of today's football landscape in Australia and globally. What happens behind the scenes in securing potentially life-changing deals has been a mystery—until now. 

It's 'Booktober': want to have a chat about a really good book?

Then join us at one of our book launches or author talks this 'Booktober'.

Whether your dad is a football enthusiast, a sports history buff, someone who loves a gripping novel or just a great read about people, we're happy to share a selection of books that make the perfect gift. 

Our second release in June was RIPPA! the second football novel from P.J. Laverty.

Set in the late 1980s -  after Craig Johnston but before the likes of Mark Viduka, Harry Kewell, Tim Cahill, et al made their names in English football - it is about Joey Rippa, a young football-playing surf-loving, pot-smoking, guitar-strumming 19-year-old from coastal Western Australia who is 'discovered' by the manager of West Ham while on a pre-season trip to Perth. 

It was 50 years ago today that the team we know as the #Socceroos made their debut in the World Cup, facing off against East Germany in Hamburg. This historic match marked the beginning of a legacy that continues to inspire football fans and young players around the country.

Chances are that most Australian football fans are not familiar with midfielder Charyl Chappuis, yet he is one of the best-known footballers from Thailand, one of our Asian Football Confederation neighbours.

For many, South America epitomises most of what we love about football. Tales of South American Football - Passion, Revolution and Glory by Jorge Knijnik weaves the fabric of culture and sport in 13 chapters that give the reader a path into the region's modern history and social realities. 

One of our books has been shortlisted for the prestigious Football Book of the Year as part of the 2024 Sports Book Awards sponsored by Charles Tyrwhitt in association with The Sunday Times. We are thrilled for author Sally Freedman and her book, "Get Your T*ts Out for the Lads". 

Our farewell and tribute to goalkeeper Ron Lord who died aged 94 on 8th April 2024, and who played 13 internationals between 1951 and 1964.

Earlier this month on International Women's Day we released three books which further demonstrate our commitment to women: women in sport, women in football, women in business and, of course, women in literature and publishing.

George Best Down Under delves into the four tours to Australia by the iconic George Best, one of world football’s greatest legends, chronicling Best’s trips to Australia starting with the tour by Manchester United in 1967, one year before United won the European Cup and Best the Ballon d’Or.

The second of our football books released in March is available now. When Mum and Dad See Me Kick from Stuart Thomas comprises ten thoughtfully crafted short stories that demonstrate that the 'beautiful game' is home to the world's biggest community. 

Join us for the launch of When Mum and Dad See Me Kick by Stuart Thomas and The Yawning Giant by Mark Bowman at Gleebooks, 181a Glebe Point Road, Glebe on Tuesday March 28th, 2023.

The second of our exclusive extracts on Australia's World Cup goalscorers - this time Craig Goodwin.

An exclusive extract on Mathew Leckie, 2022 World Cup goalscorer, from the Encyclopedia of Socceroos Centenary Edition 1922 to 2022 by Andrew Howe.

40 days to go to the 2022 World Cup, and 40 days until we unleash our World Cup book offerings.

Emerging Women Writers initiative as part of the 2023 Football Writers Festival.

Vegemite, Yankee Stadium, Vitamin D tablets, comic books, centre court at Wimbledon, the blender, and the BBC. Just some of the objects and institutions of our lives that turn 100 this year - along with the team we now know and love as the Socceroos. Join us as we celebrate with a book and football in the pub!

It's been a busy year for us at Fair Play Publishing. We've published eight books during an extended Covid lockdown, taking our total to 26 books on football that wouldn't have existed without us. Some might think a lockdown would make it easy - what else is there to do besides work?