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32 Programmes [Paperback]

Dave Roberts
4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (44 customer reviews)
RRP: £12.99
Price: £8.96 & this item Delivered FREE in the UK with Super Saver Delivery. See details and conditions
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Book Description

4 Aug 2011

When Dave Roberts relocates to the USA, his wife informs him that they can only take what is 'absolutely essential'. Packing his collection of football programmes (1,134 of them - football fans are sticklers for statistics), Dave is aghast to be informed that the programmes do not fall into that category. He must whittle down his treasured archive to only what will fit inside a Tupperware container the size of a Dan Brown hardback.

32 Programmes tells the story of how Dave made the selection of his most important programmes, and how the process brought back a flood of nostalgia for simpler times. As the sights, sounds and smells of those 1,134 football matches return, the choices Dave makes reflect the twists and turns that life takes. Finally, with just hours to go before the flight, the container is full to the brim. One more programme will be added to the collection - one that Dave never thought he would see and which means more to him than any other.

32 Programmes is the story of youthful football obsession, crushes on disinterested girls, rubbish jobs and trying to impress skinheads. But most of all, it is the story of a man's life and loves, of family, friends and football.


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32 Programmes + Got, Not Got: The A-Z of Lost Football Culture, Treasures and Pleasures
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Product details

  • Paperback: 304 pages
  • Publisher: Bantam Press; First Edition, First Printing edition (4 Aug 2011)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0593067371
  • ISBN-13: 978-0593067376
  • Product Dimensions: 13.5 x 2.2 x 21.6 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (44 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 177,476 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Review

"A little gem... a brilliant way to reflect on his love affair with football" (Henry Winter Daily Telegraph 20111214)

"Very funny in wry, Nick Hornby-esque fashion... This memoir will gain a lot of fans" (Simon Redfern Independent on Sunday 20110821)

"Remarkable... A book that every woman should study, for the unique insight it offers into the impenetrable enigma of the male mind" (Jane Shilling Daily Mail 20110916)

"A brilliant idea nicely executed, it's certainly the funniest sport-related read this Christmas" (Christopher Maume Independent 20111125)

"An entertaining read, rich in nostalgia and reminiscent of Nick Hornby's Fever Pitch, this offers an insight into the power of obsession and how the beautiful game has changed. Moving and amusing" (Sport magazine 20111125)

Book Description

The hilarious and moving story of a man called Dave (a football fan) and his most precious possessions...

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars 32 mirrors 8 Jan 2012
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
A wonderful book and one of the best football-related stories I have read in years.
And the main reason being that Dave's story is a mirror image of all football fans who have fuelled their obsession by working in unhappy crap jobs so they could stand on terraces up and down the country and support their favourite team through thin and thinner.
It's also a generational thing, as although I am a good 10 years younger than Dave, teenagers picking up the way-of-life curse of following their local team, will never experience standing alongside their fellow Bovril and cigarette smelling fans on crumbling concrete steps with weeds growing inbetween their toes.
They are more likely to be herded into the Lego-like cloned theatres of anti-atmopshere that are becoming the sterile homes of our football clubs in the present. At least now, they will have a good account of what they missed.
I too used to feverishly keep a big collection of programmes in protective plastic wallets as fanatically as any guarded trainspotter or stamp collector.
But I sold my soul a few years ago and flogged them to a local sports memorobilia shop to make more room for other stuff in my house. And, yes, just like Dave it was a sale linked to her who must be obeyed. I also thought it was a sign I was finally growing up as I reached my late thirties, but I was so wrong. I don't want to grow up and Dave, you have made me regret ever trying to foolishly pull off the pretence.
What have I done? I'll never get that collection back again, or at least have the consolation prize of just 32 Programmes.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
3.0 out of 5 stars Autobiographical footy nostalgia 2 July 2011
By Officer Dibble VINE™ VOICE
Format:Paperback|Amazon Vine™ Review (What's this?)
If you think 'normal life is sitting on your bed reading football programmes until three a.m.', then welcome to heaven. Using a programme collection to chart life's milestones is a brilliant idea to the footy mad amongst us.

Particularly in the early part of this book, the author splendidly weaves in anecdotes and the minutiae of a fan's life from 1964 to 2008. Even if you were a non-fan growing up in this period, you will have many laughs and cringe-making reminiscences; who else owned the fashion nightmare 'Budgie' jacket?

The premise began to fade as the story moved into the 1980's. The balance seemed to switch and there were more 'shots tipped over the bar by Crudgington' than autobiographical detail. I got the impression that I was reading match reports fom Mr Robert's 'Filofax'. This will still appeal to fans of Manchester United and Plymouth Argyle as the two most featured teams.

This was doubly frustrating as major events were taking place in the author's life which are condensed into mere passing paragraphs. However, Mr Roberts is not re-writing 'Fever Pitch'; he is an obsessive fan and this is about his obsession. A very enjoyable 'dip-in' read.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating insight into a collector! 28 July 2011
By Mr. P. J. Cooper VINE™ VOICE
Format:Paperback|Amazon Vine™ Review (What's this?)
Being a collector of various things myself, including football programmes (though to a lesser extent than Mr. Roberts). I knew I would enjoy this book.
Starting with his first football match between Fulham and Man Utd in 1965, it documents key events in his life and you can't fail to be won over with his passion for the subject! It is interesting to see how football changes during the documented time. The final 2 chapters are a lovely end to the book.
Recommended!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars Loved It!
This book is brilliant, I couldn't put it down. The tale of a man confronted with discarding the major part of his collection of football programmes. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Richard M. Seel
5.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable
A nice trip through the past for older football fans especially those who have bundles of musty old programs hidden away in drawers
Published 4 months ago by tracy ellis
5.0 out of 5 stars A brilliant read for any football fan
This book was bought for me as a surprise Christmas present, as my wife thought I might like it as I enjoy both football and programme collecting. Read more
Published 4 months ago by POD
5.0 out of 5 stars A great book for football nostalgia
I was given this book as a Christmas present and it took me two days to read. It owes a lot to the Nick Hornby-era style of 'Fever Pitch', and whilst it is a shorter book than its... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Jim McDonald
3.0 out of 5 stars Not as good as I thought it would be
I was recommended this book and was really looking forward to reading it. However, whilst it was an entertaining enough read, I'm afraid I found the writing style quite corny and... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Stewart Pen
4.0 out of 5 stars great stories and originally presented
I am a football fan but have never been to see a match live. This book is about an absolute enthusiast. Read more
Published 8 months ago by stephen Luff
5.0 out of 5 stars Shame it wasn't 64
Have rarely enjoyed a book so much. The concept of the programmes providing the chapters is a simple one and a very effective. Read more
Published 9 months ago by N. H. Ferguson
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful
The wonderment of your first match, the joy of winning, the misery of loosing, the pain of long trips home on the back of defeat. Read more
Published 13 months ago by timthefish
3.0 out of 5 stars Sweet and funny little book- but avoid if you're not into football!
The title and theme are basically pegs to hang the story on, and this book is about much more than just football- it's about growing up, being a man, history, family, collecting,... Read more
Published 14 months ago by M. W. Hatfield
4.0 out of 5 stars Football is life
Jimmy Greaves said "Football reflects society" and that really is the premise of Dave Roberts' relocation enduced voyage into nostalgia. Read more
Published 15 months ago by Fraser the Frank Fish
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