From the age of 19, first with the Daily Telegraph, then the Daily Express, James Lawton travelled across the country and Europe with the great teams of English football, the Manchester United of Sir Matt Busby, the Liverpool of Bill Shankly, and the rising power, Don Revie’s Leeds United. Along the way he formed lifelong admiration for – and friendship with – such emerging stars as Sir Bobby Charlton, on whose recent autobiography he collaborated, George Best, Denis Law, Nobby Stiles, John Giles and Ian St John.

In 2000 he became Chief Sports Writer of The Independent and his column has become amongst the most admired of sports writing in the last decade bringing him not only a large and loyal readership but also awards including Sports Journalist of the Year and Sports Columnist of the Year. He is currently Sports Feature Writer of the Year. James Lawton has also written 11 books.

On Football brings together a selection of the best of his writing, giving a powerful commentary on the state of football over the last decade. Lawton never pulls his punches, writing with both intelligence and wit, and with an enviable knowledge and understanding of the game.

Irish international footballer and football legend, John Giles introduces the collection. Giles began his football career at Manchester United in Matt Busby’s post-Munich team before moving to Leeds United. He became one of the most influential midfield generals of the 1960s and 1970s, making more than 500 appearances for Don Revie’s Leeds and collecting 60 caps for the Republic of Ireland. In recent years he has won widespread acclaim as a forthright broadcaster.