That's Not Llandudno

by Ben Dudley

11 players, 1 dream!

Llantwit Major AFC isn't exactly Barcelona. Indeed, it isn't even Barry Town.

However, thanks to an unlikely series of events set in motion by a misplaced kebab, the club is about to find itself on an adventure of a lifetime.

What happens when a small village in South Wales is thrust into the spotlight and takes on Europe's elite?

Welcome to Llantwit Major, where nothing ever happens. Until now...

280 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2019

Reviews

[Philip Townsend · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a very funny book. Well thought out and written, and difficult to put down, it was hard to believe it was his first book.

The flow of the plot was along the lines of a Tom Sharpe story, one mishap after another affecting the heroes and ploughing their path through the furrows of European football, and the trials and tribulations of the non-league game.

It was a shame that FIFA sabotaged the reality by changing the laws on drop balls, and that there was a score missing on page 215, but you can see that my nitpicking is all I can fault with this book! And none of that was down to the author.

I would thoroughly recommend reading this, football fan or not.

[Darren Snaith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the best book I have ever read, especially as I’m in it. In all seriousness though I found it entertaining from start to finish and the story of this small village club in South Wales definitely deserves to be made into a film or series.

[Mitchell Goor · Rating 5 out of 5]

'That's Not Llandudno' is of the most entertaining football novels I've read. It's an adventurous tale about a small town club from South Wales embarking on a European campaign by accident.

Llantwit Major AFC has instantly gained another fan, and I'm sure many more will follow.

This book is a great read for people with a taste for real football culture, underdogs, Hal Robson-Kanu and the wonderful people of Wales (+Serbia).

God, I wish this adventure had really happened.

*SPOILER*
Contains some mood lifting references to a certain club from Rotterdam winning the Champions League and their arch rivals being relegated. What's not to love?

[Kaliya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Promising story from the start, engaging to the very end! Once you get your hold on the book, you want to know more of how the story goes and just can’t let let go of it. The narrative is light, flowing and almost gets you to believe that this no fantasy at all but a pretty realistic scenario.

Bravo! 👏👏👏

[Claudia · Rating 5 out of 5]

You might think this book isn't for you because you don't love football and there's a football on the cover. I might have thought the same. I'd have been really wrong. This isn't just a book for football lovers (although a must read if you're a footy fan) - it's a book for anyone who wants to laugh out loud, who wants characters brought to life through a series of hilarious events, and who wants multiple follow ups to find out what happens to them all next.

The witty, descriptive writing allows you to really visualise the characters and it doesn't take long before you're cheering for the lovable underdogs. When's the movie coming out?

[Dahlian Kirby · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved it! I was drawn in to the characters. The book is easy to read and kept me entertained. Why only four stars? because I am not a football fan! It would make a great present for a football fan.

[Ruth Stevens · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent book. An absolute joy to read and, let's face it, in January we all need some joy.