After one too many late night discussions, football journalist Paul Watson and his mate Matthew Conrad decide to find the world's worst national team, become naturalised citizens of that country and play for them - achieving their joint boyhood dream of playing international football and winning a 'cap'. They are thrilled when Wikipedia leads them to Pohnpei, a tiny, remote island in the Pacific whose long-defunct football team is described as 'the weakest in the world'. They contact Pohnpei's Football Association and discover what it needs most urgently is leadership. So Paul and Matt travel thousands of miles, leaving behind jobs, families and girlfriends to train a rag-tag bunch of novice footballers who barely understand the rules of the game.Up Pohnpei tells the story of their quest to coach the team and eventually, organise an international fixture - Pohnpei's first since a 16-1 defeat many years ago. With no funding, a population whose obesity rate is 90 percent and toad-infested facilities in one of the world's wettest climates, their journey is beset by obstacles from the outset. Part travelogue, part quest, Up Pohnpei shows how the passion and determination of two young men can change the face of football - and the lives of total strangers - on the other side of the world.
Up Pohnpei
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Review
'Light, funny, enjoyably punchy' --Sport Magazine
'Filled with passion and warmth' --FourFourTwo
'The must-read football book of 2012' --ESPN Soccernet, *****
'uplifting, humorous and emotional' -- Press Association
'A fascinating story told well. It offers in its joviality an antidote to the cynical corporate interests that have overtaken the game at the highest level. For those who enjoy football books that charm and enliven, Up Pohnpei is a must-read' -- When Saturday Comes --Press Association
'This book is brilliant. It embodies the true spirit of football: to bring people together' --James Corden
'Filled with passion and warmth' --FourFourTwo
'The must-read football book of 2012' --ESPN Soccernet, *****
'uplifting, humorous and emotional' -- Press Association
'A fascinating story told well. It offers in its joviality an antidote to the cynical corporate interests that have overtaken the game at the highest level. For those who enjoy football books that charm and enliven, Up Pohnpei is a must-read' -- When Saturday Comes --Press Association
'This book is brilliant. It embodies the true spirit of football: to bring people together' --James Corden
Book Description
Penguins Stopped Play meets Cool Runnings in this hilarious and uplifting true story of footballing triumph against all the odds, set on a Pacific island.
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
By K. Beech
Format:Paperback
I initially bought Up Pohnpei for the idea of how funny it would be to give into childhood fantasy's of wanting to play for or coach an International side, and also being a coach myself I wanted to get an insight of what other coaches do, think and feel at times.
The book initially started on that comedic tone as Matt and Paul, mainly Matt obsesses over the idea of playing football internationally, Paul starts to give into Matt and his own urges and desires to follow a childhood fantasy, and then the guys go from the sane to brave (possibly deemed insane by others,) by giving up a stable life to go and coach the tiny Micronesian Island of Pohnpei football.
After a first visit to the Island, Paul and Matt realise the task at hand is so much bigger than going over to Pohnpei and coaching a team, they have to set up a whole football infrastructure, to even achieve getting a National team in place. Things don't go Paul's way as Matt has to take a life changing career opportunity. So for the most part of the book the two man army become one, Paul has to do the leg work himself, he does have the help of a very enthusiastic football mad local Dislhan who becomes Paul's biggest asset during the battles he faces in Pohnpei itself. Paul also has bigger battles as he tries everything he can to get funding and aid from various football and sporting organisations and help from the local Micronesian states, but each time he tries he comes across more hurdles, a few of those hurdles are created by the very thing that should help him, FIFA.
Eventually Paul makes headway and with the return of his good friend Matt, they manage to get the Pohnpei national side to play in their first international fixtures under the pairs tutlage.
The book to me is a very heartfelt piece; the book becomes a very uplifting story of trials and tribulations and goes from being a story about Paul Watson and Matt Conrad to a story about the Pohnpei players and battles to gain them respect and love throughout their out Nation and in the eyes of the world football. Paul also drags you in, to not only believe in the good he's doing, but you also feel his frustration and his angst as he tries to overcome the obstacles in his way, it's a superbly written book, and one that can be enjoyed by all, not just the football fans among us.
The book initially started on that comedic tone as Matt and Paul, mainly Matt obsesses over the idea of playing football internationally, Paul starts to give into Matt and his own urges and desires to follow a childhood fantasy, and then the guys go from the sane to brave (possibly deemed insane by others,) by giving up a stable life to go and coach the tiny Micronesian Island of Pohnpei football.
After a first visit to the Island, Paul and Matt realise the task at hand is so much bigger than going over to Pohnpei and coaching a team, they have to set up a whole football infrastructure, to even achieve getting a National team in place. Things don't go Paul's way as Matt has to take a life changing career opportunity. So for the most part of the book the two man army become one, Paul has to do the leg work himself, he does have the help of a very enthusiastic football mad local Dislhan who becomes Paul's biggest asset during the battles he faces in Pohnpei itself. Paul also has bigger battles as he tries everything he can to get funding and aid from various football and sporting organisations and help from the local Micronesian states, but each time he tries he comes across more hurdles, a few of those hurdles are created by the very thing that should help him, FIFA.
Eventually Paul makes headway and with the return of his good friend Matt, they manage to get the Pohnpei national side to play in their first international fixtures under the pairs tutlage.
The book to me is a very heartfelt piece; the book becomes a very uplifting story of trials and tribulations and goes from being a story about Paul Watson and Matt Conrad to a story about the Pohnpei players and battles to gain them respect and love throughout their out Nation and in the eyes of the world football. Paul also drags you in, to not only believe in the good he's doing, but you also feel his frustration and his angst as he tries to overcome the obstacles in his way, it's a superbly written book, and one that can be enjoyed by all, not just the football fans among us.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By Brad
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is the first review i have ever written for anything on Amazon, i have bought countless books and other things, but thhis was the first time i was compelled to write a review. This was partly spurred on by the sour review of "Been There" all i can say is "Been there done what?" Fairly obvious you did not read the book to the detail you claim to have done.
I am an avid fan of sports, football and rugby in particular, and i love to travel and read travel books. Who hasn't had a conversation like this with their friends and done nothing about it, i scared the silent tube dwellers when i burst out laughing at ranking Montserrat even too good, the beginning of last year myself and some friends i play 5-a-side with tried to work out how we could play for them after reading an article about the desperate search for players with Montserrat heritage. When i found out that one of the guys i employed to work with me this summer had grandparents still living there and was a semi pro footballer, so i spent far too much time trying to get him to sort his papers out so he could play..... whether it happens remains to be seen.
Anyway....
The book to me is a fantastic look at the impact of sport and something that all team sports transcend and thats to create a sense of belonging to a place, a sense of community and more. It seems that the dreams you guys had, had such a positive impact on the island. Something to be immensely proud of.
The book is a genuine page turner to me, did they win? Would Brian and Joseph be ok? Who would look after the sport when you left? would Dilshan be the hero? Would Robert and Bob ever behave?
I would give it 6 stars if i could. I loved it! If you have ever tried to get Torquay United to the Champions League Final on Football Manager or just like an underdog story this is the book for you!
For the first time since i moved to London i looked forward to getting on the tube so i could read the book. So Thanks! UP POHNPEI!
I am an avid fan of sports, football and rugby in particular, and i love to travel and read travel books. Who hasn't had a conversation like this with their friends and done nothing about it, i scared the silent tube dwellers when i burst out laughing at ranking Montserrat even too good, the beginning of last year myself and some friends i play 5-a-side with tried to work out how we could play for them after reading an article about the desperate search for players with Montserrat heritage. When i found out that one of the guys i employed to work with me this summer had grandparents still living there and was a semi pro footballer, so i spent far too much time trying to get him to sort his papers out so he could play..... whether it happens remains to be seen.
Anyway....
The book to me is a fantastic look at the impact of sport and something that all team sports transcend and thats to create a sense of belonging to a place, a sense of community and more. It seems that the dreams you guys had, had such a positive impact on the island. Something to be immensely proud of.
The book is a genuine page turner to me, did they win? Would Brian and Joseph be ok? Who would look after the sport when you left? would Dilshan be the hero? Would Robert and Bob ever behave?
I would give it 6 stars if i could. I loved it! If you have ever tried to get Torquay United to the Champions League Final on Football Manager or just like an underdog story this is the book for you!
For the first time since i moved to London i looked forward to getting on the tube so i could read the book. So Thanks! UP POHNPEI!
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By Azza
Format:Kindle Edition
What an inspirational read,feels like i know all of the squad without meeting them,i am now searching for relatives of some kind to see if i can get a game for pohnpei,the only dissapointment about this story is when it ended,as another reviewer as pointed out Matt and Paul need funding to bring it to our screens and i will definately be one of the donaters
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Up Pohnpei
This was recommended by a friend who I've been on football adventures with to Holland to watch the England semi pro team, this helped me associate with the authors content. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Leonidas
4.0 out of 5 stars
Football in the Micronesian Islands... Interesting tale
I read this book over about 3 days and it was hard to put down as was really enjoying the story and where it was going. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Cheeky77
5.0 out of 5 stars
Simply awesome
From the first page, I was clearly hooked. This seems like something you could pluck out of fantasy and turn it into reality. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Chris Wilson
4.0 out of 5 stars
Up pohnpei
For all football fans a must read, an excellent book which kept me glued from start to finish. UP POHNPEI.
Published 4 months ago by jonathan evans
5.0 out of 5 stars
I wouldn't say it was the best book in the world, but it's in the top...
I don't do drugs, but I'd love to try betel nut. This book will also make you want to do many other insane things. Engrossing, amusing and inspirational. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Adam Bates
5.0 out of 5 stars
Can I have it back please?
I left this in the book swap area in my hotel in Cuba. Loved the book, Loved the hotel; Loved Cuba. More importantly, I loved Havanna Club Rum, and wish I hadn't left the book now. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Rob Taylor
5.0 out of 5 stars
great read
Really enjoyed the book and didnt feel that any of the criticism was at all justified - certainly no glory-seeking by these boys! Read more
Published 8 months ago by MalcB
5.0 out of 5 stars
My life dream
This book is truly amazing, read through twice already, not bored of it as it's similar to what I want to do later in my life, truly inspirational the leaps and bounds that pohnpei... Read more
Published 10 months ago by Stuart Ballard
5.0 out of 5 stars
Buy this book
Brilliantly written. A really good read, the best football book i have read for years. After you finish this book you will look into obscure Pacific islands with a managerial... Read more
Published 11 months ago by Fazza1972
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fantastic is the only word....
I never review books, but this book is fantastic.
Even if you don't have too much interest in football, its a story we can all relate to in some way, shape or form. Read more
Even if you don't have too much interest in football, its a story we can all relate to in some way, shape or form. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Aaron Ecclestone
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