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You Can't Get There from Here: My Soccer Journey from Derby to Detroit
"A tale about a man who lived the American dream, by doing things many said couldn't be done."-Alexi Lalas, former US national team player, Fox Sports broadcaster
You Can't Get There from Here is a story of resilience, reinvention, and one man's determination to turn bold dreams into reality.
Roger Faulkner grew up in wartime Britain as a promising tennis player, but his life took a new course when a career transfer brought him to Detroit. After years with Burroughs Corporation, he pursued his passion for soccer by cofounding the Detroit Express of the North American Soccer League with English soccer icon Jimmy Hill. Their partnership ended in turmoil, with Hill subsequently moving the team to Washington, DC, where it was to fold ignominiously in what the British press dubbed "Jimmy Hill's American disaster."
Undeterred, Faulkner later launched Detroit's bid to host matches for the 1994 World Cup. Against all odds, his daring plan to play on natural grass inside the Pontiac Silverdome stunned the world and made history. As chair of the bid and host committees, he helped deliver one of the tournament's most successful venues and later contributed to the World Cup's legacy through participation in the founding of Major League Soccer and the US Soccer Foundation.
Told with humor and candor, Faulkner's story brims with unforgettable encounters-from Henry Kissinger to Robin Williams-and celebrates the persistence required to achieve the seemingly impossible.
You Can't Get There from Here is a story of resilience, reinvention, and one man's determination to turn bold dreams into reality.
Roger Faulkner grew up in wartime Britain as a promising tennis player, but his life took a new course when a career transfer brought him to Detroit. After years with Burroughs Corporation, he pursued his passion for soccer by cofounding the Detroit Express of the North American Soccer League with English soccer icon Jimmy Hill. Their partnership ended in turmoil, with Hill subsequently moving the team to Washington, DC, where it was to fold ignominiously in what the British press dubbed "Jimmy Hill's American disaster."
Undeterred, Faulkner later launched Detroit's bid to host matches for the 1994 World Cup. Against all odds, his daring plan to play on natural grass inside the Pontiac Silverdome stunned the world and made history. As chair of the bid and host committees, he helped deliver one of the tournament's most successful venues and later contributed to the World Cup's legacy through participation in the founding of Major League Soccer and the US Soccer Foundation.
Told with humor and candor, Faulkner's story brims with unforgettable encounters-from Henry Kissinger to Robin Williams-and celebrates the persistence required to achieve the seemingly impossible.
338 pages, Paperback
Published February 24, 2026
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Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Born in Derbyshire, Roger Faulkner charts his life from growing up in wartime Britain, his love of sport especially tennis & football (soccer), & his move to Detroit, Michigan. Taking his love for the 'beautiful game' stateside, Faulkner becomes involved in co-founding the Detroit Express team of the North American Soccer League. Whilst the Express venture was ultimately unsuccessful, the USA's winning bid to host the 1994 World Cup offers Faulkner a unique opportunity to bring some of the best teams in the world to play in Detroit.
In this review I will be referring to the sport as football as that is how it is known in the UK, soccer just doesn't sound right. I was interested in reading this one as I'm a lifelong supporter of the author's favourite team's (Derby County) biggest rivals - Nottingham Forest. It was great to see mention of both Brian & Nigel Clough & legendary players such as Trevor Francis.
It's written in a way that feels as if you are listening to the author reminisce. Obviously the chapters on sport are more interesting than those detailing fundraising efforts, but the author adds in some gentle humour where possible. I enjoyed reading this & would say that readers familiar with the biggest names in 1970s/1980s international football (soccer) would get the most out of reading it.
SUMMARY:
Research: Excellent - anecdotes, stories, & facts & figures means there something for everyone.
Writing Style: Very good - written as if you are listening to the author reminisce. The chapters dealing with the fundraising etc were not quite as interesting as the ones concentrating on sport.
Enjoyment Level: High - an enjoyable read & I think readers with an understanding of football (soccer) will get the most out of it.
My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, Köehler Books, for the opportunity to read an ARC.
In this review I will be referring to the sport as football as that is how it is known in the UK, soccer just doesn't sound right. I was interested in reading this one as I'm a lifelong supporter of the author's favourite team's (Derby County) biggest rivals - Nottingham Forest. It was great to see mention of both Brian & Nigel Clough & legendary players such as Trevor Francis.
It's written in a way that feels as if you are listening to the author reminisce. Obviously the chapters on sport are more interesting than those detailing fundraising efforts, but the author adds in some gentle humour where possible. I enjoyed reading this & would say that readers familiar with the biggest names in 1970s/1980s international football (soccer) would get the most out of reading it.
SUMMARY:
Research: Excellent - anecdotes, stories, & facts & figures means there something for everyone.
Writing Style: Very good - written as if you are listening to the author reminisce. The chapters dealing with the fundraising etc were not quite as interesting as the ones concentrating on sport.
Enjoyment Level: High - an enjoyable read & I think readers with an understanding of football (soccer) will get the most out of it.
My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, Köehler Books, for the opportunity to read an ARC.
Displaying 1 of 1 review