I have a keen interest in history, which underpins my writing projects.
Football
My football journey
I have been obsessed with football since watching England win the 1966 World Cup on our family’s black and white television with my father and grandfather who generally didn’t ‘get on’ and for whom only football was a shared and happy experience.
As a child I learned a lot about Geography, Mathematics and History just from following football: Geography because I wanted to know where clubs like Newport County or Port Vale were located as they didn’t appear to be on the coast of Great Britain; Maths through hours spent in calculating goal average and working out prospective points totals from games remaining, and History because I always wanted to know more about the people and places they had come from.
As a child I learned a lot about Geography, Mathematics and History just from following football: Geography because I wanted to know where clubs like Newport County or Port Vale were located as they didn’t appear to be on the coast of Great Britain; Maths through hours spent in calculating goal average and working out prospective points totals from games remaining, and History because I always wanted to know more about the people and places they had come from.
the history of football
Out of my passion for football and love of history, the History of Football series has been curated to list key events and backstories in the histories of football clubs, competitions, and countries in an easily accessible format. They make ideal introductions to football history for new fans and older fans wanting to quickly check their facts.
Broken down by year and decade, each football club book also features lists of Managers, Honours and Records/Firsts for easy reference and to show the mark made on football history by your favourite team. They are intended to provide voyages of soccer discovery for readers – to find out what they didn’t know that they didn’t know - from football origins through to the 'modern era.'
Programme Notes run throughout the books, providing background information on the major football developments in each period.
There are also 'specials' including The World Cup Story which has provided a background story to my life.
These books are independent football histories and are not endorsed, authorised, licensed or in any other way approved by any third-party.
Broken down by year and decade, each football club book also features lists of Managers, Honours and Records/Firsts for easy reference and to show the mark made on football history by your favourite team. They are intended to provide voyages of soccer discovery for readers – to find out what they didn’t know that they didn’t know - from football origins through to the 'modern era.'
Programme Notes run throughout the books, providing background information on the major football developments in each period.
There are also 'specials' including The World Cup Story which has provided a background story to my life.
These books are independent football histories and are not endorsed, authorised, licensed or in any other way approved by any third-party.
history of football: the world cup story
I can only just remember that sunny July afternoon in 1966 when England beat West Germany to lift the World Cup for the first time.
The first World Cup tournament I lived and breathed came four years later, when my age hit double figures, but the single thread that joined my life in a little village to the rest of the world was that fabulous Brazil team of Pelé and Jairzinho, of Gérson and Tostão. I was entranced by the 'beautiful game' and look forward to every World Cup tournament in the hope that those childhood memories will somehow be repeated.
From Egypt quite literally missing the boat in 1930, to the shock of the Maracanazo in 1950 and the Miracle of Bern in 1954; from North Korea’s fairy-tale run in 1966 to Germany’s triumph in South America in 2014, these stories have provided the backdrop to my own life. In writing the book - the fifth in the History of Football series - I relived the dramatic Italian heroics of Paolo Rossi and ‘Totò’ Schillaci, and the brilliance of goal-scoring legends such as Gerd Müller, and Ronaldo, not forgetting the artistry of Johan Cruyff and Michel Platini. These are the people and moments that have shaped all 22 tournaments to date, many of which I remember vividly since I first arrived on the scene.
You can buy this book on Amazon. Just search for the title or 'Mark Rasdall' in any Amazon store and the title will appear. You can download the digital version to a Kindle or Kindle app on PC, iPad, iPhone and other devices.
The book is available in Kindle Unlimited too.
The print edition is also available from all good bookshops, worldwide.
ISBN: 9798254170907
The first World Cup tournament I lived and breathed came four years later, when my age hit double figures, but the single thread that joined my life in a little village to the rest of the world was that fabulous Brazil team of Pelé and Jairzinho, of Gérson and Tostão. I was entranced by the 'beautiful game' and look forward to every World Cup tournament in the hope that those childhood memories will somehow be repeated.
From Egypt quite literally missing the boat in 1930, to the shock of the Maracanazo in 1950 and the Miracle of Bern in 1954; from North Korea’s fairy-tale run in 1966 to Germany’s triumph in South America in 2014, these stories have provided the backdrop to my own life. In writing the book - the fifth in the History of Football series - I relived the dramatic Italian heroics of Paolo Rossi and ‘Totò’ Schillaci, and the brilliance of goal-scoring legends such as Gerd Müller, and Ronaldo, not forgetting the artistry of Johan Cruyff and Michel Platini. These are the people and moments that have shaped all 22 tournaments to date, many of which I remember vividly since I first arrived on the scene.
You can buy this book on Amazon. Just search for the title or 'Mark Rasdall' in any Amazon store and the title will appear. You can download the digital version to a Kindle or Kindle app on PC, iPad, iPhone and other devices.
The book is available in Kindle Unlimited too.
The print edition is also available from all good bookshops, worldwide.
ISBN: 9798254170907
history of football: the leeds united story
When I was seven years old, in 1967, I remember reading about a supposed great football injustice. Leeds United had lost an FA Cup semi-final to Chelsea, following two controversial refereeing decisions late in the second half. With a child's predilection for the underdog, I followed Leeds United from that very day and have experienced the ups and downs that go with being a loyal football supporter.
Eleven years later I went to university in Leeds and could now experience at first hand what those heady evenings under the floodlights at Elland Road really felt like. This book gave me the opportunity to explore the club's humble beginnings as Leeds City in 1904 (more injustice to follow there in 1919) to its present-day resurgence. On the way I discovered some fascinating stories including about the disused well beneath Elland Road, the West Stand fire, and legendary figures such as Major Frank Buckley, Don Revie, and Howard Wilkinson, not to mention reliving the creative genius of the likes of Tony Currie who lit up my Saturday afternoons every other week.
You can buy this book on Amazon. Just search for the title or 'Mark Rasdall' in any Amazon store and the title will appear. You can download the digital version to a Kindle or Kindle app on PC, iPad, iPhone and other devices.
The book is available in Kindle Unlimited too.
It is also available in Spanish.
The print edition is also available from all good bookshops, worldwide.
ISBN: 9798304393935
I also write a series of articles featuring the football history of Leeds United.
Eleven years later I went to university in Leeds and could now experience at first hand what those heady evenings under the floodlights at Elland Road really felt like. This book gave me the opportunity to explore the club's humble beginnings as Leeds City in 1904 (more injustice to follow there in 1919) to its present-day resurgence. On the way I discovered some fascinating stories including about the disused well beneath Elland Road, the West Stand fire, and legendary figures such as Major Frank Buckley, Don Revie, and Howard Wilkinson, not to mention reliving the creative genius of the likes of Tony Currie who lit up my Saturday afternoons every other week.
You can buy this book on Amazon. Just search for the title or 'Mark Rasdall' in any Amazon store and the title will appear. You can download the digital version to a Kindle or Kindle app on PC, iPad, iPhone and other devices.
The book is available in Kindle Unlimited too.
It is also available in Spanish.
The print edition is also available from all good bookshops, worldwide.
ISBN: 9798304393935
I also write a series of articles featuring the football history of Leeds United.
History of Football: The Chelsea Story
At 23, I moved to live and work in London. I lived and spent a lot of my time in Hammersmith and Fulham, the borough in which Chelsea actually play.
Following their huge success at the beginning of the 1970s Chelsea had struggled for much of that decade and the 1980s were very much about rebuilding, with success coming again in the 1990s through the efforts of Glenn Hoddle, Ruud Gullit and those Italian superstars. Writing this book enabled me to go right back to the club's beginnings in ‘Edwardian England’ in 1905 to its transformation into a modern footballing giant. On the way I discovered some fascinating tales - key markers in Chelsea's history - such as the famous Khaki Cup Final to the Marriott Accord; George Hilsdon’s misfortune to the infamous Blackpool Incident.
You can buy this book on Amazon. Just search for the title or 'Mark Rasdall' in any Amazon store and the title will appear. You can download the digital version to a Kindle or Kindle app on PC, iPad, iPhone and other devices.
The book is available in Kindle Unlimited too.
It is also available in Spanish.
The print edition is also available from all good bookshops, worldwide.
ISBN: 9798346944393
Following their huge success at the beginning of the 1970s Chelsea had struggled for much of that decade and the 1980s were very much about rebuilding, with success coming again in the 1990s through the efforts of Glenn Hoddle, Ruud Gullit and those Italian superstars. Writing this book enabled me to go right back to the club's beginnings in ‘Edwardian England’ in 1905 to its transformation into a modern footballing giant. On the way I discovered some fascinating tales - key markers in Chelsea's history - such as the famous Khaki Cup Final to the Marriott Accord; George Hilsdon’s misfortune to the infamous Blackpool Incident.
You can buy this book on Amazon. Just search for the title or 'Mark Rasdall' in any Amazon store and the title will appear. You can download the digital version to a Kindle or Kindle app on PC, iPad, iPhone and other devices.
The book is available in Kindle Unlimited too.
It is also available in Spanish.
The print edition is also available from all good bookshops, worldwide.
ISBN: 9798346944393
History of Football: The Arsenal Story
If football was my first love, then my future wife quickly became my second. I met her in my mid-twenties and, as a result, we moved to North London.
Michelle worked in Highbury and could literally see the old stadium from her office window, so much of my life around that time in driving past the magnificent old East Stand with its Marble Halls. A particular memory is of Arsenal fans streaming out of the ground on a dark November evening in 1991 when Benfica had beaten them in the European Cup, beginning a reset that Arsène Wenger would take to a whole new level some five years later. Writing The Arsenal Story revealed some surprising stories from its humble beginnings as ‘Dial Square’ in Woolwich in 1886 to the modern-day powerhouse it is today. These include how an archery contest in 1902 helped save the club, or how Arsenal became the first team to win the FA Cup on penalties. I also met the legendary “Highbury Express,” and discovered the infamous ‘Battle of Highbury,’
You can buy this book on Amazon. Just search for the title or 'Mark Rasdall' in any Amazon store and the title will appear. You can download the digital version to a Kindle or Kindle app on PC, iPad, iPhone and other devices.
The book is available in Kindle Unlimited too.
It is also available in Spanish.
The print edition is also available from all good bookshops, worldwide.
ISBN: 9798346678069
Michelle worked in Highbury and could literally see the old stadium from her office window, so much of my life around that time in driving past the magnificent old East Stand with its Marble Halls. A particular memory is of Arsenal fans streaming out of the ground on a dark November evening in 1991 when Benfica had beaten them in the European Cup, beginning a reset that Arsène Wenger would take to a whole new level some five years later. Writing The Arsenal Story revealed some surprising stories from its humble beginnings as ‘Dial Square’ in Woolwich in 1886 to the modern-day powerhouse it is today. These include how an archery contest in 1902 helped save the club, or how Arsenal became the first team to win the FA Cup on penalties. I also met the legendary “Highbury Express,” and discovered the infamous ‘Battle of Highbury,’
You can buy this book on Amazon. Just search for the title or 'Mark Rasdall' in any Amazon store and the title will appear. You can download the digital version to a Kindle or Kindle app on PC, iPad, iPhone and other devices.
The book is available in Kindle Unlimited too.
It is also available in Spanish.
The print edition is also available from all good bookshops, worldwide.
ISBN: 9798346678069
history of football: The Aston villa story
In 2018 we left East Anglia and moved to Worcestershire where we opened a sweet shop on Worcester High Street. During those wonderful five years I was able to spend much of my time chatting with football supporters from all over the country and especially the West Midlands (when I should probably have been selling sweets).
The Aston Villa Story is the fourth release in the History of Football series, and spans over 150 years of football history. I was aware of many of the stories told in this book from the Claret and Blue fans who used to visit, but it was great to go much further back and discover how Aston Villa became the dominant force of the Victorian era, winning five league titles and three FA Cups by 1901 — including the historic Double in 1897. I enjoyed reliving the glory of 1982’s European Cup triumph and understand better the story of one of the biggest clubs in the area we now call home.
You can buy this book on Amazon. Just search for the title or 'Mark Rasdall' in any Amazon store and the title will appear. You can download the digital version to a Kindle or Kindle app on PC, iPad, iPhone and other devices.
The book is available in Kindle Unlimited too.
It is also available in Spanish.
The print edition is also available from all good bookshops, worldwide.
ISBN: 9798298959827
The Aston Villa Story is the fourth release in the History of Football series, and spans over 150 years of football history. I was aware of many of the stories told in this book from the Claret and Blue fans who used to visit, but it was great to go much further back and discover how Aston Villa became the dominant force of the Victorian era, winning five league titles and three FA Cups by 1901 — including the historic Double in 1897. I enjoyed reliving the glory of 1982’s European Cup triumph and understand better the story of one of the biggest clubs in the area we now call home.
You can buy this book on Amazon. Just search for the title or 'Mark Rasdall' in any Amazon store and the title will appear. You can download the digital version to a Kindle or Kindle app on PC, iPad, iPhone and other devices.
The book is available in Kindle Unlimited too.
It is also available in Spanish.
The print edition is also available from all good bookshops, worldwide.
ISBN: 9798298959827
First Football Histories
My First Football Histories series of books offered extended histories of football clubs Arsenal FC and Chelsea FC. These books are included in the Reference Collection at the National Football Museum in Manchester.
football Blogs
I write football history blog pieces - Now and Then - as well as regular stories about Leeds United.
Previously I wrote for By Far the Greatest Team and a series of satirical football articles for Tales from the Top Flight
Previously I wrote for By Far the Greatest Team and a series of satirical football articles for Tales from the Top Flight
Sweets
I ran a sweet shop on Worcester High Street for five years with my wife, Michelle, encouraging visitors to share their memories and stories about sweets. Out of this experience came a short history of sweets in the UK, featuring key events in the development of the sector.
Sweet Dates in the UK
When were Crunchie Bars launched? What surely was ‘a mighty chew?’ What happened to Fry’s? Which sweets were used to stop mines detonating during the Second World War?
The answers to these and many other questions on the history of sweets can be found in Sweet Dates in the UK. With some key references to candies from overseas too, it is a simple timeline of sweets dates that could be both a guide and quick delve into some of the potted histories hitherto hidden behind the packets and jars on our shelves. Iconic advertising slogans have been included where applicable, and also various ‘National Days’ when certain sweets are celebrated publicly, especially in the USA.
It isn’t an original tale, nor a rigorous and comprehensive academic research piece into the history of all confectionery; rather, a curation of stories and events that will hopefully provide a useful first reference point for anyone interested in sweets beyond simply eating them!
You can buy this book on Amazon. Just search for the title or 'Mark Rasdall' in any Amazon store and the title will appear. You can download the digital version to a Kindle or Kindle app on PC, iPad, iPhone and other devices.
The book is available in Kindle Unlimited too.
The print edition is also available from all good bookshops, worldwide.
ISBN-13 : 979-8817823400
The answers to these and many other questions on the history of sweets can be found in Sweet Dates in the UK. With some key references to candies from overseas too, it is a simple timeline of sweets dates that could be both a guide and quick delve into some of the potted histories hitherto hidden behind the packets and jars on our shelves. Iconic advertising slogans have been included where applicable, and also various ‘National Days’ when certain sweets are celebrated publicly, especially in the USA.
It isn’t an original tale, nor a rigorous and comprehensive academic research piece into the history of all confectionery; rather, a curation of stories and events that will hopefully provide a useful first reference point for anyone interested in sweets beyond simply eating them!
You can buy this book on Amazon. Just search for the title or 'Mark Rasdall' in any Amazon store and the title will appear. You can download the digital version to a Kindle or Kindle app on PC, iPad, iPhone and other devices.
The book is available in Kindle Unlimited too.
The print edition is also available from all good bookshops, worldwide.
ISBN-13 : 979-8817823400