{"title":"Andy Brassell","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAndy Brassell\u003c\/strong\u003e offers a compelling exploration of sport, blending insightful analysis with vivid storytelling. His work captures the passion and complexity of football, delving into its cultural and social significance beyond the pitch.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eReaders can expect narratives that celebrate the game's enduring spirit and examine the forces that shape its modern landscape. \u003cem\u003eWe Play On\u003c\/em\u003e exemplifies Brassell’s thoughtful approach, making his books essential for anyone eager to understand football’s wider impact.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"we-play-on-by-andy-brassell-9781472148070","title":"We Play On","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e'The most important (thing) is to play,' Srna said, 'to show the world that we are still alive, that we are fighting, that we are living, that we will have a good future.'\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn 2014, the conflict in the Donbas region of Ukraine began - and top football club Shakhtar Donetsk has since been in exile. This book tells their story; inevitably a story of the conflict and the recent Russian invasion but also a testament to the power of the game and the will of the players.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIt is ultimately a footballing story, exploring the experience and meaning of being a Shakhtar player through the lens of a country in the shadow of a huge aggressive neighbour. There are moments of direct impact (such as when a youth coach was killed by Russian shelling earlier in 2022) but also what it means to just go out on the field and play, freely.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAndy Brassell is a European football expert and has followed this story for years; he regards Shakhtar as the \u003cem\u003eBarcelona of Eastern Europe\u003c\/em\u003e. \u003cem\u003eWe Play On\u003c\/em\u003e celebrates the team and its achievements, while paying tribute to an occupied nation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Hachette Aotearoa New Zealand","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47455875924204,"sku":"9781472148070","price":39.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9781472148070.jpg?v=1774863113"}],"url":"https:\/\/bookhero.co.nz\/collections\/andy-brassell.oembed","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}