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Whatever will be, will be

A Matter of Life and Football
Brief Description
'A book so beautiful that it finally made me understand what football means. An exceptional writer.' - Bella Mackie 'So much more than a book about football. A book about aging, community and memory. Rich in detail and great jokes. I wish I had written it.'... Read More
Format: Paperback / softback
$2999
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Releases 18th August 2026 (Approx. Date) Pre-order  "Whatever will be, will be" now to secure your copy from our first shipment

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A personal and unique road trip style journey through the FA Cup campaign of the 2024/25 football season by bestselling author Felix White - from the first non-league rounds of the tournament to the final at Wembley.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

'A book so beautiful that it finally made me understand what football means. An exceptional writer.'

- Bella Mackie

'So much more than a book about football. A book about aging, community and memory. Rich in detail and great jokes. I wish I had written it.'

- Josh Widdicombe

'Mesmerising and unputdownable, like Fever Pitch meets The Sportswriter. I commend it in the highest terms.'

- Amol Rajan

From the Sunday Times bestselling author of It's Always Summer Somewhere comes a moving and often hilarious journey through the 2024/25 FA Cup - from the first muddy preliminary round in Penrith to a glorious sunny day at Wembley.

On the brink of turning 40, Felix White sets out to watch a match from every round of the Cup, meeting fans, players and dreamers at every level of the English game. As he travels the country, football becomes a way to explore memory, identity, grief and joy. While he reflects on his own lifelong obsessions, his story becomes a unique expression of how the game communicates something vital, both literal and internal, between a child and an adult.

Told with lyrical wit and heartfelt honesty, Whatever Will Be, Will Be is more than just a story about football - it's about growing up, holding on and the strange ways sport connects us all.

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781788405607

Publisher: Octopus Publishing Group

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 07 May 2026

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Cassell

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 24.0mm

Width: 126.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 200g

Pages: 288

About the Author

Felix White is a musician, broadcaster and co-founder of independent record label, Yala! He has also, for as long as his conscious memory extends, been in love with the game of cricket. Neither of his parents - from Lebanon and the Isle of Wight - were into the game, so it is a slight mystery to everyone that he took to it as much as he did. He co-presents BBC podcast Tailenders with Greg James and England's most successful ever fast bowler Jimmy Anderson, which has proved a 'safe space' in which to channel his enthusiasm for it regularly. The Maccabees, the band for whom he is renowned, released four studio albums and split at their commercial peak after 14 years together, off the back of a UK number one album and major festival headline shows. He lives in South London where he continues to work on numerous musical projects, including film scores, and has still not overcome his rational fear of a cricket ball.

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