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Relegated: One American's Pints-and-Pies Journey from the Top to the Bottom of English Football
240 pages, Hardcover
Published May 19, 2026
About the author
Todd Smith
1 book1 followerTodd Smith is the director of a landscaping supply yard in south Minneapolis, the author of Hockey Strong: Stories of Sacrifice from Inside the NHL, and the cowriter of Brave Enough with Olympian Jessie Diggins. He has been a longtime contributing writer for the website of the Minnesota Wild. His work has also appeared in The Rake magazine, Minnesota Monthly, and Twin Cities METRO Magazine, where he penned a print column and a blog covering modern manhood and fatherhood. Smith runs the Donkey Soccer League, a Sunday morning game for assorted nitwits and out-of-shape, middle-aged scalawags in Minneapolis, where Smith lives with his wife and son.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
June 2, 2026
A must-read for soccer and travel fans. It’s such a fun ride! Follow along as Todd from America travels in the UK visiting small and big soccer clubs. The best part is the people he meets along the way. And the pies and pints! It’s a heartwarming and adventurous read. Highly recommend.
May 20, 2026
The subject matter here -- the hold a team can have on its supporters -- isn't anything new. When it is done well, like it is here, you are reminded of what you love about sports... as well as what drives you nuts about it. There is a section here... about a save Everton's Jordan Pickford makes against Fulham... that does as good a job of describing the sway of emotions in a fan as anything you will read in any of the recent spate of books on the World Cup.
May 22, 2026
You sold your soul to Mickey Mouse! You sold your soul to Mickey Mouse!” the AFC Wimbledon supporters chanted
--
I know and listen to English football watchers but I have never been one myself. Reading this book helped me appreciate how special it can be to support a club. It made me want to visit some of the towns / stadiums.
Also, Twin Cities shoutout 🫶🏼
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I know and listen to English football watchers but I have never been one myself. Reading this book helped me appreciate how special it can be to support a club. It made me want to visit some of the towns / stadiums.
Also, Twin Cities shoutout 🫶🏼
June 6, 2026
A sublime read about British football, from the sprawling, worldwide teams-cum-brands in the EPL to the local legend clubs of Scotland and everywhere in between, and the people who make it possible. Everyone from the devout groundskeeper to the regular supporter to the casual fan gets a moment to shine.
This book reflects that the game, like its supporters, is not a monolith but truly contains multitudes. From the rabid Grimsby and Everton supporters to the more indifferent Forest Green Rover and Fulham fans, there is no one universal football fan. Todd met with and, in loving and caring detail, gave them all a voice and a place.
Some of the pop culture references felt a bit tortured at times, like saying that 2 defenders reminded him of a scene in Dumb and Dumber, but overall, the passion and love of football and people in general shine through. I enjoyed “Todd From America” as both narrator and character. He was given the nickname early on and carried it with him everywhere he went.
I wanted to give the book 5 stars. The writing was enjoyable but some of the pop culture references felt forced. Similar to how I feel about Ted Lasso, a show that this book has been compared to in other reviews, I loved so much of it that the parts that fell flat were still fun. But a 4-star review felt more appropriate given those minor blemishes. Also I had to ding him for the fact that as someone who proclaims to be a devout football fan, he kept referring to Tottenham as “The Spurs.”
This book reflects that the game, like its supporters, is not a monolith but truly contains multitudes. From the rabid Grimsby and Everton supporters to the more indifferent Forest Green Rover and Fulham fans, there is no one universal football fan. Todd met with and, in loving and caring detail, gave them all a voice and a place.
Some of the pop culture references felt a bit tortured at times, like saying that 2 defenders reminded him of a scene in Dumb and Dumber, but overall, the passion and love of football and people in general shine through. I enjoyed “Todd From America” as both narrator and character. He was given the nickname early on and carried it with him everywhere he went.
I wanted to give the book 5 stars. The writing was enjoyable but some of the pop culture references felt forced. Similar to how I feel about Ted Lasso, a show that this book has been compared to in other reviews, I loved so much of it that the parts that fell flat were still fun. But a 4-star review felt more appropriate given those minor blemishes. Also I had to ding him for the fact that as someone who proclaims to be a devout football fan, he kept referring to Tottenham as “The Spurs.”
June 4, 2026
If you are a fan of English football, you will get through this very quickly!
While Todd and his editors missed some obvious mistakes… typing Lancashire, instead of Lincolnshire… Getting the year of Liverpool’s most recent champions league win mixed up, etc. it’s easily dismissed because you intrinsically feel the passion and interest the l author has in his subject.
Todd is just an average guy - like most of us - who happens to be pretty good at writing! Having recently done a quick five day trip to England with similar desires to his… All I could feel the entire time is how much I would’ve liked to have been on that journey with him!
I definitely would not have fared as well in the pick up soccer games though.
When I think about the amount of research and planning he had to do, this book becomes even more impressive… The farther down he goes in the footballing ladder in both England and Scotland.
My only constructive feedback might be that he didn’t need to spend as much time explaining the concept of relegation, and how the leagues work over there.
My guess is most of the people who picked up this book already know the ins and outs of that part of the game.
Otherwise, definitely worth getting a hold of if you want to take a deeper dive into the culture and communities of English football… The ones that you don’t see on Peacock every Sunday are often much more interesting than the ones that are!
While Todd and his editors missed some obvious mistakes… typing Lancashire, instead of Lincolnshire… Getting the year of Liverpool’s most recent champions league win mixed up, etc. it’s easily dismissed because you intrinsically feel the passion and interest the l author has in his subject.
Todd is just an average guy - like most of us - who happens to be pretty good at writing! Having recently done a quick five day trip to England with similar desires to his… All I could feel the entire time is how much I would’ve liked to have been on that journey with him!
I definitely would not have fared as well in the pick up soccer games though.
When I think about the amount of research and planning he had to do, this book becomes even more impressive… The farther down he goes in the footballing ladder in both England and Scotland.
My only constructive feedback might be that he didn’t need to spend as much time explaining the concept of relegation, and how the leagues work over there.
My guess is most of the people who picked up this book already know the ins and outs of that part of the game.
Otherwise, definitely worth getting a hold of if you want to take a deeper dive into the culture and communities of English football… The ones that you don’t see on Peacock every Sunday are often much more interesting than the ones that are!
June 8, 2026
Todd Smith is a landscaper from Minnesota who wants to be a writer and is a BIG fan of English football (soccer). This is his travelog and sociological review of the relegation system of the more than 7,000 teams in the 11 tiers of the English football pyramid. He visits Grimsby, Arbroath, Brixton, East London (Clapton Community Football Club), Derry, and my Tottenham. Each team has its own history, culture, and tradition with deep connections to the community. It's hard to identify one favorite anecdote or team. Three resonate. First is the Clapton Community Football Club, a members-owned non-league club that plays at the Old Spotted Dog Ground and has a deep commitment to inclusivity and social justice. Second is the overworked groundskeeper in Abroath, Scotland, whose team gets relegated in realtime during Smith's visit. In the immediate aftermath of relegation, the groundskeeper says, "Now we have a chance to go on and do the impossible, which is to get promoted again." Even in the world of relegation, sports offers hope. Finally is Grimsby, which was once known as the worst city in England and was the former largest fishing port in the world. The fans in Grimsby have compelling stories and deep connection to their team. This is a great read (listen) about England fascinating and compelling football culture.
June 5, 2026
I picked this up thinking I'd enjoy it as a long time football fan, but really because I wanted to read an Americans take on the whole English football scene.
As someone who grew up in the UK, I always find it fascinating to see how outsiders react to things we barely think twice about. The fierce local rivalries, the tiny clubs with devoted supporters, the obsession with promotion and relegation, the fact that entire weekends can be dictated by the result of a match. Todd approaches it all with genuine curiosity, and I found myself nodding along one minute and laughing the next.
I respect that the book never assumes you already know the sport. Whether you've followed football for decades or couldn't explain the league system if your life depended on it, there's plenty to enjoy here. He manages to make a pretty complex subject feel accessible without oversimplifying it.
The whole thing reads like you're listening to a friend tell stories from a memorable trip. It's light, entertaining, and packed with interesting discoveries along the way.
I'd happily follow Todd on another footballing adventure. There are countless more clubs, towns, and stories out there, so I'm hoping this isn't the end of the journey.
Thank you to Gallery Books for the gifted copy.
As someone who grew up in the UK, I always find it fascinating to see how outsiders react to things we barely think twice about. The fierce local rivalries, the tiny clubs with devoted supporters, the obsession with promotion and relegation, the fact that entire weekends can be dictated by the result of a match. Todd approaches it all with genuine curiosity, and I found myself nodding along one minute and laughing the next.
I respect that the book never assumes you already know the sport. Whether you've followed football for decades or couldn't explain the league system if your life depended on it, there's plenty to enjoy here. He manages to make a pretty complex subject feel accessible without oversimplifying it.
The whole thing reads like you're listening to a friend tell stories from a memorable trip. It's light, entertaining, and packed with interesting discoveries along the way.
I'd happily follow Todd on another footballing adventure. There are countless more clubs, towns, and stories out there, so I'm hoping this isn't the end of the journey.
Thank you to Gallery Books for the gifted copy.
June 5, 2026
Relegated rapidly moved to the top of my Recommended Reading list as I read it, for Football fans and non-Football fans alike it's an interesting read into the depths of English Football and more.
While not a book I would have likely read, I overheard a conversation where someone mentioned it with the, paraphrased, premise "Todd Smith from Minnesota works at a landscaping company and always wanted to be a writer but couldn't quite make it, so he decided to take a tour of England and write about soccer." As someone who has passionately wanted to turn a creative hobby into a career I was sold.
It was incredible to read about the parts of English Football that you don't see, the impact the teams way below the Premier League have on the community, the pride the fans have for their team, and the emotions that promotion and, more importantly, relegation have on each fan. Ending with his second trip back to England and a reflection on his time researching and writing the book was an ending filled with closure as you connected not only with the fans and people living hard lives to do the thing they love most but with the writer, living a hard live to do the thing he loves most.
I can't say enough good things about this book and I look forward to revisiting it in the future.
While not a book I would have likely read, I overheard a conversation where someone mentioned it with the, paraphrased, premise "Todd Smith from Minnesota works at a landscaping company and always wanted to be a writer but couldn't quite make it, so he decided to take a tour of England and write about soccer." As someone who has passionately wanted to turn a creative hobby into a career I was sold.
It was incredible to read about the parts of English Football that you don't see, the impact the teams way below the Premier League have on the community, the pride the fans have for their team, and the emotions that promotion and, more importantly, relegation have on each fan. Ending with his second trip back to England and a reflection on his time researching and writing the book was an ending filled with closure as you connected not only with the fans and people living hard lives to do the thing they love most but with the writer, living a hard live to do the thing he loves most.
I can't say enough good things about this book and I look forward to revisiting it in the future.
May 26, 2026
𝘙𝘦𝘭𝘦𝘨𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘥 details Todd Smith's adventure across England, Scotland, and Wales, connecting with locals over a shared love of football. Smith's heartfelt letter to his favorite sport is full of soul, his joy evident. His exciting account depicts all aspects of the sport from spectating at the highest level to participating in pickup games.
As an American who attended a Tottenham game alongside 60,000 thousand boisterous fans, toasted the team with countless beers in packed bars, and completed the adventurous stadium walk during a London vacation (the tour guides do, in fact, sound like "chipmunks on cocaine"), I immediately connected to how Smith captured the experience in the opening chapter of the book. If he could so wonderfully translate that experience onto paper, I wanted to live vicariously through the rest of his trip, too!
This endearing adventure from packed stadiums to roadside pitches was an entertaining escape - and while I wish I could embark on such a trip, my wallet is rather grateful to settle for this story instead.
Thank you to Gallery Books for the free copy!
As an American who attended a Tottenham game alongside 60,000 thousand boisterous fans, toasted the team with countless beers in packed bars, and completed the adventurous stadium walk during a London vacation (the tour guides do, in fact, sound like "chipmunks on cocaine"), I immediately connected to how Smith captured the experience in the opening chapter of the book. If he could so wonderfully translate that experience onto paper, I wanted to live vicariously through the rest of his trip, too!
This endearing adventure from packed stadiums to roadside pitches was an entertaining escape - and while I wish I could embark on such a trip, my wallet is rather grateful to settle for this story instead.
Thank you to Gallery Books for the free copy!
May 31, 2026
I fell in love with soccer, aka futbol, aka the beautiful game, about 15 years ago. Although I'm SKCTID, the English flavor of football is my favorite by far. I think the Premier League is the best sports league in the world, full stop. So, of course, this book was an easy sell to me. Turns out I think I would have loved it even if I didn't care about soccer at all.
Smith travels to England and Scotland to watch matches at the lower levels of English football, to see what the fandom and history of these smaller clubs are like. The result is as much an engaging travelogue as it is a sports book. The people he meets and the stories he hears along the way are, in many cases, more interesting than any of the matches he attends.
I'd recommend this to anyone who loves futbol, and to anyone who enjoys Bill Bryson or Rick Steves. It was the rare book I wish had been longer. Here's hoping he gets to do a follow-up! Five outta five stars
Smith travels to England and Scotland to watch matches at the lower levels of English football, to see what the fandom and history of these smaller clubs are like. The result is as much an engaging travelogue as it is a sports book. The people he meets and the stories he hears along the way are, in many cases, more interesting than any of the matches he attends.
I'd recommend this to anyone who loves futbol, and to anyone who enjoys Bill Bryson or Rick Steves. It was the rare book I wish had been longer. Here's hoping he gets to do a follow-up! Five outta five stars
May 31, 2026
Thanks to Gallery Books for the gifted copy. Relegated is a must read for fans of English football… but it’s also surprisingly great for anyone who doesn’t know much about it either. The subject is deep (there are thousands of clubs across the English football pyramid), so there’s still plenty here for diehard fans to learn. But it’s also super approachable — he breaks things down in a way that makes it easy to follow without it feeling like a lesson.
The writing style is familiar and a bit cheeky, very on brand for the topic. It has a bit of a Bill Bryson travel series feel, but focused on football. I’d absolutely read a part two — hoping this isn’t the last we see from Todd from America!
The writing style is familiar and a bit cheeky, very on brand for the topic. It has a bit of a Bill Bryson travel series feel, but focused on football. I’d absolutely read a part two — hoping this isn’t the last we see from Todd from America!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Thank you Gallery Books for sending me a free copy!
3.5 stars
We love sports in the US but soccer, better known as football to the rest of the world, has yet to reach super high levels of popularity here. English football is a culture in itself. Todd Smith, a director of a supply yard in Minneapolis, takes you on his journey through the UK as he attends games in the different leagues.
If you enjoy the reality tv show, WELCOME TO WREXHAM, this book is right up your alley. It captures how these football clubs are the heart and soul of their communities. They bring people together and that’s something the author got to witness firsthand as he met some interesting folks along the way. It’s a neat read amd shows what it truly means to be a fan of the sport.
3.5 stars
We love sports in the US but soccer, better known as football to the rest of the world, has yet to reach super high levels of popularity here. English football is a culture in itself. Todd Smith, a director of a supply yard in Minneapolis, takes you on his journey through the UK as he attends games in the different leagues.
If you enjoy the reality tv show, WELCOME TO WREXHAM, this book is right up your alley. It captures how these football clubs are the heart and soul of their communities. They bring people together and that’s something the author got to witness firsthand as he met some interesting folks along the way. It’s a neat read amd shows what it truly means to be a fan of the sport.
May 29, 2026
Meh ... Rounded up from 2.5. Interesting but not a lot of depth. I would have enjoyed much more history. The author is a little younger than I. When I think of England I inevitably think of WW II bit barely rates a mention here. Wouldn't it have been interesting to learn how football fared during the war, what happened to the players who fought in it, how quickly did the sport rebound?
June 9, 2026
As a fan of an EFL team stuck in the relegation/promotion swing, I found a lot to love about this book. The audiobook read is so flat I was initially convinced it was AI (and bad AI at that). The author’s passion does not come through in the narrator’s performance, and it left me wishing the author had read it himself.
May 29, 2026
The “I’m Todd from America” stuff got old pretty quick. Otherwise a fun read. Even if he went to Tottenham.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews