A Family Obsession: What We Talk About When We Talk About Football

by Harry Redknapp, Jamie Redkapp

One of the most loved - and loving - father-and-son duos in the land, Harry and Jamie Redknapp are football royalty. Football runs through their veins. Both have enjoyed stellar careers on the pitch, in managerial dug-outs and in our television studios. But how did it all start, and what drove them on to be the football fanatics that they so passionately are today?

A Family Obsession is the fascinating result of Harry and Jamie sitting round the kitchen table, where they discuss, debate, select and celebrate all aspects of the game that have inspired them. Who are the men who impacted their careers and fired that all-consuming passion for football? This is a deep dive into the matches, the players, the managers and the changes that have spanned their two generations. With amusing anecdotes, Harry and Jamie reveal the individuals who have set their pulses racing, opened their minds, enriched their football lives and stimulated their respective love affairs with the sport.

From childhood idols to role models in young adulthood, from beloved team-mates to bitter rivals, from genius managers to the game's great mavericks - from Pelé and Maradona to Bobby Moore and Lionel Messi via Steven Gerrad and Pep Guardiola - all are brought to life by two of the country's most knowledgeable, animated and beloved football obsessives.

262 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 29, 2024

Reviews

[Stephen]

enjoyed this father and son look at their playing careers and their love of football

[Thomas Allen]

Nice easy enjoyable read for a football fan and Harry Redknapp is a Spurs legend!

[Paul Morris]

A different kind of football book . A father and son - well known if you follow Premiership football - the father a footballer then manager and then son a footballer then tv pundit basically having a discussion and the words put into a very readable book. The “discussions” are actually quite good, not too long, not boring or overbearing and at a level which anybody whether interested in football or not will understand and hopefully appreciate.

[Chris Thorn]

Reads slightly conversational, some interesting insights particularly from Harry’s youth and playing days. Easy read and enjoyable enough.

[Steven Maidment]

Another brilliant football read by Harry Redknapp the stories he's told love him or hate him this is a must read for any football fan

[Ben]

This book by Harry and Jamie Redknapp reads like a conversation between the two discussing their careers in football. It is only sometimes slightly difficult to remember who is speaking because when Harry is talking the font is not in bolt whereas when Jamie is talking it is in bold. I did have to flick to the front of the book a couple of times just to remember who was speaking when I picked up the book so I could remember which of them was which. Apart from that, it is a nice discussion between father and son. My favourite parts are where they talk about when Harry was managing Jamie at both the start and end of Jamie's career as it was interesting hearing both sides of a similar story. Overall, its a nice upbeat book about the Redknapp family and a short walk through of their footballing careers.