New Release
1
of
1
Around the World in 80 Clubs
A Journey Through the Weird, Wacky and Wonderful World of Football
Brief Description
'Well researched, emotive and hugely entertaining' Guillem Balague 'Wonderful. Perfect for anyone who loves football but has forgotten why' Joey D'Urso 'This book is a joy to read' Max Rushden A treasure trove of new and untouched stories Suzy Wrack Have you ever heard of the...
Read More
Format: Paperback / softback
$3999
Unit price
/
Unavailable
OVERNIGHT NZ-WIDE DELIVERY
Found a better price? Request a price match
Around the World in 80 Clubs
$3999
Unit price
/
Unavailable
A hilariously entertaining voyage through the world's weirdest, wackiest and most wonderful football clubs
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
'Well researched, emotive and hugely entertaining' Guillem Balague
'Wonderful. Perfect for anyone who loves football but has forgotten why' Joey D'Urso
'This book is a joy to read' Max Rushden
A treasure trove of new and untouched stories Suzy Wrack
Have you ever heard of the football club founded by ex-KGB officers, the 21-time champions of Moldova?
How about the Vatican Cup, contested by eight clubs made up of clerics, priests and Vatican members, who've been suspended on several occasions due to fierce rivalries?
Or maybe you're more familiar with the Spanish team that actually resides in North Africa?
Whether you're a football hipster or five-a-side novice, join renowned football writer and podcaster Paul Watson for an intrepid guide through the weird, wacky and wonderful world of football. Around the World in 80 Clubs takes the reader on a global tour of the beautiful game, from the squirrel-costume wearing fans of Andorra's UE Santa Coloma to the Buddhist monk ultras of Bhutan's Thimpu City, via Greenland's one-week season, through to priestly punch-ups in the Vatican City. This compendium is packed with footballing stories you have never heard of but will never forget.
A book for the football lover, there will be no Manchester United, no Juventus, no Boca Juniors here. Instead, Around the World in 80 Clubs is filled with unique stories that have never been told before, shedding a humorous and thrilling light on cultures and communities formed - and sustained - through football.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9781399637893
Publisher: Orion Publishing Co
Format: Paperback / softback
Date Published: 14 May 2026
Country: United Kingdom
Imprint: Seven Dials
Contributors:
- Read by Paul Watson
Audience: General / adult
DIMENSIONS
Width: 135.0mm
Height: 216.0mm
Weight: 250g
Pages: 176
About the Author
Paul Watson is the author of Up Pohnpei - the tale of his time coaching the world's worst football team on a tiny Pacific Island - and Around the World in 80 Clubs - a hilariously entertaining voyage through the world's most obscure football teams. He is also a journalist and broadcaster as well as the co-host of The Sweeper podcast that focuses on football off the beaten track.
Also by Paul Watson
View all-
Up Pohnpei
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...Paperback$3299Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 4-6 weeks -
Ice Ghosts
Ice Ghosts weaves together the epic story of the lost Franklin Expedition of 1845, whose two ships, HMS Erebus and HMS Terror, and their crew of 129 were lost to the Arctic ice. This narrative intertwines with the modern tale of the scientists, divers, and local Inuit responsible for the recent incredible discoveries of the wrecks. Paul Watson, a Pulitzer...Paperback$3199Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 3-4 weeks -
Management Systems for Construction
The book provides a concise and focused guide to the main management areas that are essential to the success of modern construction projects. The concepts, principles, and applications in the seven main management areas that are essential to the success of construction projects are presented. Management Systems for Construction links in with The CIOB's Education Framework and is recommended reading...Hardback$30600Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 4-6 weeks -
Pre-orderAround the World in 80 Clubs
'Well researched, emotive and hugely entertaining' Guillem Balague 'Wonderful. Perfect for anyone who loves football but has forgotten why' Joey D'Urso 'This book is a joy to read' Max Rushden 'A treasure trove of new and untouched stories' Suzy Wrack Have you ever heard of the football club founded by ex-KGB officers, the 21-time champions of Moldova? How about the...Hardback$6000Unit price /UnavailableOut 25 Aug 2026Pre-order -
Ice Ghosts
Ice Ghosts weaves together the epic story of the lost Franklin Expedition of 1845—whose two ships, HMS Erebus and HMS Terror, and their crew of 129 were lost to the Arctic ice—with the modern tale of the scientists, divers, and local Inuit behind the recent incredible discoveries of the wrecks. Paul Watson, a Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist who was on the...HardbackSold Out
More from Sports
View all-
Formula One 2026
The world's bestselling Grand Prix handbook is back for the new season. This is the definitive guide to Formula One 2026 — a complete examination of all the teams, drivers, and tracks featured in the packed Grand Prix calendar. Also including a full review of the 2025 season and a breakdown of the new rules and regulations for 2026, this...Paperback$3800Elsewhere:$4499Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
Legends and Soles
The brilliant autobiography from the ‘saviour of Nike’ If you’re a sneaker head, you know him as the saviour of Nike. If you’ve watched Air, you saw Matt Damon’s portrayal of the man who discovered Michael Jordan and how he revolutionised the payment structure of endorsements for athletes. Legends and Soles tells Sonny’s story – his blind-sided firing by Nike...Paperback$3200Elsewhere:$3999Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
Surviving to Drive
A hugely entertaining access-all-areas account of a year inside Formula 1, from Haas F1 team principal Guenther Steiner, star of Drive to Survive, one of the most successful Netflix series of all time. THE INSTANT NUMBER ONE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER 'Gripping to read. Funny, real, exciting. It's a brilliant book.' - Chris Evans 'Fearless and candid... A gleeful guide to...Paperback$2400Elsewhere:$3000Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
The Good, the Bad & the Rugby – Unleashed
The long-awaited book from rugby stars Alex Payne, James Haskell and Mike Tindall. Rugby megastars James Haskell, Mike Tindall, and Alex Payne get together to discuss the highs and lows of their podcast, friendship, and rugby. Among the key questions answered: What happened when Mike took their shambles of a podcast inside the walls of Windsor Castle to meet the...Hardback$5500Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
Gloves Off
The unflinching autobiography from the two-time world heavyweight champion and British People's Champion, Tyson Fury, now out in paperback, Gloves Off is an enthralling journey into the life of one of boxing's most charismatic and controversial figures. From his humble beginnings to his meteoric rise and dramatic falls, Fury’s story is a testament to the indomitable human spirit. In this...Paperback$2800Elsewhere:$3000Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
The Salt Path
The Salt Path is a deeply moving and profoundly inspiring true story that captures the essence of human resilience and the profound impact of nature on our well-being. This compelling narrative, a Sunday Times bestseller and shortlisted for the prestigious Wainwright Prize, recounts the life-changing journey of Raynor and Moth Winn—a couple who, facing monumental life challenges, find solace and...Paperback$2300Elsewhere:$2600Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
The Salt Path
The bestselling true story of the couple who lost everything and embarked on a journey not of escape but salvation, soon to be a major motion picture starring Golden Globe winning Gillian Anderson and Jason Isaacs. Just days after Raynor learns that Moth, her husband of 32 years, is terminally ill, the couple lose their home and their livelihood. With...Paperback$2700Elsewhere:$3000Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
States of Play
The International Bestseller & Winner of the Football Book of the Year Award A Times Sports Book of the Year A Telegraph Book of the Year An Irish Times Book of the Year An Irish Independent Book of the Year 'Important, perfectly timed and hugely necessary.' The Guardian 'A monumental piece of investigative journalism.' Irish Times 'A must-read on how...Paperback$2999Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
Pre-orderThe Swimmer of Auschwitz
'Propulsive... Readers will be hooked' - Publishers Weekly Based on the extraordinary true story of Alfred Nakache, subject of the Oscar-nominated short film Papillon. Alfred Nakache, a Jewish child from Constantine, never imagined that he would one day swim for France at the Olympic Games in Berlin in 1936, nor that he would achieve a world record, as he did...Paperback$2799Unit price /UnavailableOut 11 Aug 2026Pre-order -
The Formula
A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER 'HANDS DOWN THE GREATEST BOOK EVER WRITTEN ABOUT F1.' - Sam Walker, author of The Captain Class 'MODERN F1 IS THE SPORTS STORY OF THIS ERA AND NO ONE COULD TELL IT BETTER' - Kevin Clark, ESPN 'THE FASTEST READ YOU WILL EVER PICK UP' - A.J. Baime, author of Go Like Hell F1 is...Paperback$2600Elsewhere:$2999Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
Breath
Discover the transformative power of breathing in Breath by esteemed journalist James Nestor. This revolutionary book delves into the science and history of one of the most fundamental human activities - breathing. From the bustling streets of São Paulo to the serene temples of India, Nestor embarks on a global journey to uncover the secrets of ancient breathing techniques such...Paperback$2100Elsewhere:$2600Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
Forever Forward
With a foreword by McLaren CEO Zak Brown and written with inside access, this is the real-time, unfolding story of one of F1's greatest ever teams, as they rise back up from oblivion. Few names in motorsports carry the same authority as McLaren, and with their remarkable victory in the 2024 constructors championship, they are now returning to form in...Hardback$4000Elsewhere:$6000Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today
Why buy from us?
Book Hero is not a chain store or big box retailer. We're an independent 100% NZ-owned business on a mission to help more Kiwis rediscover a love of books and reading!
Service & Delivery
Our warehouse in Auckland holds over 100,000 books, toys, board games and puzzles in-stock so you're not waiting for your order to arrive from overseas.
Auckland Bookstore
We're primarily an online store, but for your convenience you can pick up your order for free from our bookstore, which is right next door to our warehouse in Hobsonville.
Our Gifting Service
Books make wonderful thoughtful gifts and we're here to help with gift-wrapping and cards. We can even send your gift directly to your loved one.
