Rebels for the Cause: The Alternative History of Arsenal Football Club

by Jon Spurling

Arsenal's on-field success has been well documented. But what has never been written before is the equally remarkable history of Arsenal's rebels, both on and off the pitch. Spanning almost 120 years, and set against a backdrop of turbulent social and political change, Rebels for the Cause assesses the legacy and impact of Arsenal's most controversial players, officials, and matches. From hard men like '30s player Wilf Copping to the reformed wild ones of recent years such as Tony Adams, Jon Spurling highlights the infamous figures whose refusal to conform has made them terrace legends. Featuring extensive interviews with 15 former players, Rebels for the Cause is an indispensable guide to the alternative.

Genres: Nonfiction, Football, History, Sports

288 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 2003

Reviews

[Ian Wright · Rating 3 out of 5]

This series of 15 episodes/ stories in The Arsenal's rich history are told in chronological order. While I enjoyed the majority of the chapters, the earlier stories are told through the lens of time, and that history has judged according. They feel authentic.The latter stories in the book (published in 2003) haven't had time to "settle" properly and, as such, don't always feel "in scale." Up The Arsenal anyway!

[Morto · Rating 3 out of 5]

Firstly, I must thank my late friend, Colin, who gave me this book as a birthday present, even though he was a Chelsea fan to his core. Would have loved to discuss some of the characters and ideas with him.
As an Arsenal fan, this is probably required reading. While there are a few references to British culture that went over my head, it is well written, informative and entertaining.
For non-Arsenal fans, I would think that you would have to have a love of the history of soccer ...

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perfect for any Gunner. At this moment (10+ year fan)the book remains my favorite Arsenal book.

[Phil Brett · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great read for any Gooner; indeed, equally so, for anyone who wants ammunition to hate the Arsenal anymore. Written in a lively style, it covers the drunks, hard men and dodgy geezers who have graced the team over its history.

Of course, a lot in it seems rather quaint now with players being able to play with hangovers, compared to the body-toned players of now. (That said, I wonder why in these almost non-contact days, we have so many injuries).

The financial shenanigans also look small-scale against the news this week of £5.1 billion being paid for TV rights for the premiership. Not that we should go too gooey eyed over pre-premiership footie; not with the violence and the racism back then.

But as someone said, it's a funny old game, and you can't help enjoying the stories of some of the characters who have graced the green grass of North London.

[Shruti Buddhavarapu · Rating 3 out of 5]

I always assumed Arsenal was this classy, traditional high-end club that was made up of polite, smart people. Uhhh, so I guess this book was made for dumbasses like me. What a history, and more than anything, what a brilliant chronicler Jon Spurling is. His talent at writing sketches of people who you have never seen play or met slowly creeps up on you. I gifted this to my boyfriend who's a rabid gunner, and even he enjoyed the history of the rebels/misfits/oddballs in the club who made it the great club it is, so I think it tickles every type of fan's tailfeathers. Wilf Copping, whattay.

[Andrew Davies · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clearly in the early days Arsenal fans made 1980s hooligans look like choir boys. A fascinating read. Easy to read. A valuable addition to the documentation of football history

[Orhan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Essential reading for any Highbury romantic. Arsenal hasn't been quite the same since we left that hallowed ground. But what a journey it's been!

Particularly noteworthy in the book is the story of the stringent working class disciplinarianism of Wilf Copping under Herbert Chapman — after reading this it is impossible to not understand the appeal of football to us ordinary folk despite (or should that say in spite of) football being big business, a designer sport, a farce of elephantine proportions.

I also enjoyed the pretty detached interrogation of David Dein, who, needless to say, alongside the Bracewell-Smiths and Fiszman must be apportioned a certain amount of blame for the sorry state we are in under the (and I cringe to write this) custodianship of the Kroenkes. And yet, for better or worse he did revolutionise the club, alongside George Graham — as much as we like to be all starry-eyed about Wenger the backbone of that team was forged in the crucible of what Wymper dubbed 'playing for Saddam Hussein.' Alas. Big business pays no heed to the unalloyed aesthetics of the game, as a certain mr. Clough was to eventually realise a good 30 years ago. The beautiful game has always been a self-depricating joke.

Oh, and the book is rib crackingly hilarious. Charlie Lucas, anyone?

COYG.

[A KERR · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent, alternative, review of Arsenal's sometime's shady past. Although the book is some 20 years old it refers to issues that are still relevant today. Many of the characters were not bad, just unlucky in their choices.

[Mikkel · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5.

Really entertaining and feels like it covers a lot of stuff. The language is pretty laidback and fun, but it does jump around quite a bit which is confusing at times.

[Gareth W · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really enjoyable read. It's easy to talk about 'the Arsenal way' that has been around since Wenger arrived (free-flowing, attacking football) but we shouldn't forget the club's history from before the Wenger days. Spurling picks out an intriguing cast of characters to represent each era of the club since the Woolwich days.

[Seb]

really interesting arsenal history book. good read for all football fans, as a lot of football history they may not know know about!

[Nipun · Rating 4 out of 5]

Essential read for every true arsenal fan.