Gullhanger – Or How I Learned To Love Brighton & Hove Albion

by Mike Ward

Gullhanger is the hilarious, critically-acclaimed diary of a man who sets out to rekindle his passion for the glorious game, and indeed for life itself. Not via a big club such as Manchester United or Arsenal, but via the local third-tier football club to which he’d previously, shamefully, paid little Brighton & Hove Albion FC – aka the Seagulls.Desperate for something to get excited about again, Mike Ward breaks all the rules of football fandom by jumping on the Albion’s bandwagon. Will he be accepted or shunned? How will his family cope?And with one more voice to cheer them on, albeit somewhat awkwardly, are the Seagulls in for a season of glory or gloom . . ?First published in September 2002, Gullhanger received glowing reviews on radio and in print. Top football magazine Four Four Two awarded it four stars out of five, the Daily Express called it “hilarious”, and BBC 5Live’s books panel called it “a great book . . . unique”.To mark 10 years since Mike’s story began, Gullhanger is now issued for the first time as an e-book.

Genres: Nonfiction, Sports

224 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 1, 2002

Reviews

[Karlt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun enough read in some parts, mildly depressing in some. Lost interest partways through the book, perhaps because I wanted to read about sports, and football, but instead got sob story about losing touch with old friends and midlife weight gain. Also, I wanted to see more detail about the matches, not just "oh yeah Zamora got a hattrick". I usually have very little patience for free books, the moment i find anything slightly annoying about one, I stop reading ( because I can afford to and can do it without guilt). But this book held my attention, there were some really good moments, almost Nick Hornby-ish, that more than made up for the boring, depressing bits. 3.5 stars

[Emanuel Ramos · Rating 2 out of 5]

A writer decides to buy season tickets to his local English soccer club, because he's going through a mid-life crisis, and he wants to be passionate about something.

I enjoy soccer memoirs, but not this one. There were some choice comedic moments, but the author's voice doesn't work. It's introspective to a fault. He goes on odd tangents that have nothing to do with soccer. It's written like it was straight from his diary, without editing.

I can't recommend this book. Unless you like free books on Amazon, then go nuts!

[P B TEW · Rating 5 out of 5]

United in earnest but Alex in heart

Funny observational and shows the depths despair and delights of the lower league fan who adopted their local club above their childhood big name team. Being a Man Utd fan who has had a similar experience with Crewe Alexandra i know where you are coming from. Great read.

[L.R. Currell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mike Ward does a solid job with this book. It chronicles his season following a lesser known football team. I enjoyed it quite a lot and laughed at some of the jokes.

It was a good, light hearted read and I especially liked how he analyzed himself during his journey. 3 and a half stars.

[Ipswichblade · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent book and nice and cheap on Kindle