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Hindustan Times
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
HT Kick Off: Why Brian Glanville is football's man of letters
Anyone who has written or read a word on football in English owes a debt of gratitude to Brian Glanville, who died on Friday aged 93. The late Patrick Barclay, an excellent writer on the beautiful game and an even better raconteur, as I found out on a cold, sunny afternoon in Munich in 2011, was speaking for his tribe when he wrote: 'Most football writers fall into two categories: those who have been influenced by Brian Glanville, and those who should have been.' This is in my copy of the 2010 edition of Glanville's opus, 'The Story of the World Cup.' Glanville had been to 13 of those but it was in 1973 that he had decided to chronicle in a book what is now the most watched sporting event on the planet. For technical and tactical insight, background information and summary of each edition, it remains a must-have. You can also read it for its wonderful, if occasionally pungent, prose. Here's a nugget: 'Overall, despite the abominable conditions, the 1970 World Cup had been a marvellous triumph of the positive over the negative, the creative over the destructive. The Final itself took on the dimensions almost of an allegory.' Glanville was a prolific writer whose oeuvre included short stories, novels, plays, musicals and the screenplay for Goal!, the film on the 1966 World Cup that went on to win a Bafta. But it was the world of football writing that Glanville, an Arsenal supporter, straddled for over 50 years. Be it the fiercely opinionated columns in World Soccer, obituaries in The Guardian (it has been compiled as a book), match reports, books or investigative pieces. Brian understood football, Pat Jennings has said. Proof of the respect he had among managers came in an anecdote shared by my colleague N. Ananthanarayanan. Ananth, as the HT sports team calls him, was at the press conference after a Chelsea-Blackburn game when Mark Hughes was explaining to the media how they had shackled Frank Lampard. 'Brian had a long notebook, like the ones used by accountants of yesteryear, and no sooner had Mark said this, we heard the rustling of pages,' he said. 'As per my notes', Glanville began, and immediately Hughes said, 'Brian, I am not saying Lampard had played badly'.' No one loved football like him but Glanville's acerbic wit spared none either. England had beaten Germany in Berlin in 2008, a first in 35 years, but after due tribute to the team and their head coach Fabio Capello, with whom Glanville went back a long way, Glanville wrote that the Italian had gambled on three players (Stewart Downing, Matthew Upson and Scott Carson), 'won his bet on two of them (Downing and Upson) and lost embarrassingly on the other.' In an earlier issue of World Soccer, he wrote: 'Andorra apart, England's form under the wretched Steve McClaren was such that almost any opponent could be a menace.' Gareth Southgate was described as 'a one-paced centre-back' and Vladimir Putin as 'draconian, virtual Tsar of new Russia.' The suits at FIFA Glanville didn't like and he made it known in no uncertain terms. 'Yes, we all know about the corruption of FIFA, inevitable from the moment Joao Havelange unseated Stanley Rous as president in 1974, initiating an appalling 24 years of chicanery. It remined one of the saying from 18th-century English philosopher Edmund Burke that 'for evil to triumph, it is enough for good men to do nothing.' (World Soccer, January 2015). After Andrew Jennings's exposé on corruption in high places in FIFA, Glanville described its executive committee as one that included reprobates. In his mind, there was no doubt that Qatar had 'plainly bought' the 2022 World Cup. It was with 'shameless pomposity,' Glanville said, that an FA chief executive had said that no Englishman met the requirements of the England head coach's job. This was before Capello's appointment. For him, the Premier League was a 'Greed in Good League', one whose ownership rules were so 'fatuously lax' that Hitler or Mao could have owned clubs because neither had a criminal conviction. Equally, there was fulsome praise for players. Bruno Fernandes would be a good investment for Manchester United, Glanville had presciently said. Even at 17, Pele was 'superbly muscled goal scorer par excellence, gymnastically agile and resilient, a tantalising juggler of the ball' with a fine right foot and extraordinary temperament (The Story Of The World Cup). Patrick Vieira, at his 'dynamic, athletic, long-legged best' , Glanville wrote for World Soccer, would be a hard act to follow for Arsenal. Paul Gascoigne had the 'attention span of a gnat' off the pitch, Glanville wrote, but 'was he a great player? I would emphatically say yes.' My first World Cup assignment was also his last. It was Ratul Ghosh, the former sports editor of the Bangla daily Bartaman, who did the introductions in the cafeteria at the media centre in Gelsenkirchen. Portugal-Mexico was about to kick-off so Glanville, then a sprightly 76, did the several flights of stairs to the media tribune with us. He paused, not to catch his breath, but to state that accuracy of his deliveries and free-kicks notwithstanding, David Beckham was a one-trick pony.
Time of India
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Who was Brian Glanville? Legendary football writer and novelist dies at 93
Image Source: Getty Aged 93, Brian Glanville , possibly the best ever football writer , died on 16 May 2025. In a career that lasted more than seven decades, Glanville applied intellectual rigor and forensic analysis to his coverage of football, notably during a long association with The Sunday Times . A pioneering voice in football journalism Born on 24 September 1931 in Hendon, Middlesex, Australia, Glanville was just 19 when he took his first steps into journalism, co-writing a biography of Arsenal legend Cliff Bastin. He became a prodigious journalist, novelist, and screenwriter, writing for the Sunday Times for 30 years and World Soccer magazine for more than 50. His work reached outside the United Kingdom, and his work garnered international praise, including from Sports Illustrated's Paul Zimmerman, who hailed him as 'the greatest football writer of all time.' Glanville has written several influential football books, including the definitive 'The Story of the World Cup' and 'The Puffin Book of Football.' He also wrote and scripted the 1967 World Cup documentary 'Goal!' and even had plays and a musical put on. In his novel 'The Dying of the Light,' he examined the post-retirement difficulties faced by a former football player, demonstrating an insight into the game's effects on the lives of those who play it. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Things Just Aren't The Same Between William And Kate And Now We Know Why Daily Sport X Undo A legacy of insight and integrity left by Brian Glanville Glanville, who never minced his words and had harsh words for several England managers, including Sir Alf Ramsey and Bobby Robson, still counted players from both England and other countries, including Bobby Moore, as friends. His criticism darted from a place of such deep love for the game and such a commitment to journalistic purity. He was also an early proponent of studying systems of play, such as catenaccio, and introduced British readers to modern European trends in soccer long before they were adopted as mainstream concepts. Glanville's impact was not confined to his own writing. He was part of the jury that votes on the Ballon d'Or each year and was known for his generosity and approachability, treating young journalists and people he barely knew with warmth and respect. Also Read: Samuel Eto'o pays tribute to late Cameroonian football legend Emmanuel Kunde With the passing away of Brian Glanville, a curtain has fallen on an era of football journalism. His unmatched expertise, insightful analysis, and tireless devotion have helped him to make an indelible mark on the world of football. He is also survived by his four children: Mark, Toby, Elizabeth, and Josephine. Get IPL 2025 match schedules , squads , points table , and live scores for CSK , MI , RCB , KKR , SRH , LSG , DC , GT , PBKS , and RR . Check the latest IPL Orange Cap and Purple Cap standings.
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Brian Glanville, journalist lauded as ‘the greatest football writer', dies aged 93
Brian Glanville, whose insightful football writing had a profound influence on generations of reporters and readers alike, has died aged 93. A novelist and respected columnist, Glanville was a prolific commentator on his beloved game, a passionate chronicler of Italian football and author of some of football's most influential books. He spent 30 years as a football correspondent for the Sunday Times, contributed to World Soccer magazine for more than five decades, and wrote compelling obituaries for the Guardian. His most recently published tributes considered the careers of Northern Ireland and Aston Villa winger Peter McParland and the Manchester United legend Denis Law. A lifelong Arsenal fan, his first book – with the Gunners winger Cliff Bastin – was published in 1950 and he was still writing about the north London club decades later, his final work a history of Highbury published in 2006. Glanville's The Story of the World Cup is considered a seminal work on the global tournament, and other books, such as The Puffin Book of Football, fostered a lifelong devotion to the sport for many young readers. He won admirers in the US long before the game enjoyed a wider following there, and Sports Illustrated's Paul Zimmerman called him 'the greatest football writer of all time'. As well as numerous novels and short stories, two plays and a musical, he produced the screenplay for the 1967 documentary Goal! World Cup 1966, and saw Sir John Gielgud play the lead in a BBC radio production of his A Visit to the Villa. His eye for the global game in the 1960s and 70s especially earned Glanville a place on the jury for the annual Ballon d'Or. Glanville had a good relationship with England's World Cup winning captain, Bobby Moore, but was acerbically critical of the national team's managers, and pulled no punches when it came to Sir Alf Ramsey, the victor in 1966 but whose reputation was tarnished by the team's failure in the heat of the Mexico tournament four years later. 'I have all sorts of amusing memories of Alf Ramsey, but he was a very strange man,' Glanville once recalled. 'He should have gone two years before he did. He'd blown it. He'd gone. He'd shot his bolt. I got on very well with Walter Winterbottom, but he was a rotten manager. Bobby Robson was grotesquely overrated. I thought he was a very inadequate manager and he failed so badly in Europe. He made a shocking job of it. He had a lot of luck. We nearly reached the World Cup final in 1990, but that was luck more than judgment.' Andrew Neil, among Glanville's editors at the Sunday Times, posted on X: 'Brian Glanville was indeed a true great. One of the brightest assets during my 11 years editing The Sunday Times. One of the greatest ever football writers.' The Guardian's former chief sports writer Richard Williams also paid tribute on social media, saying: 'RIP Brian Glanville, 93, maestro of the football stadium press box (and purveyor of truly awful jokes).' Tim Vickery, the BBC's South American football correspondent, added on X: 'I owe a huge debt to this man. A True giant of our trade, a mighty source of internacionalist inspiration. RIP Brian Glanville.' Brian Glanville, football writer and author. Born 24 September, 1931. Died 16 May, 2025
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Football writer Brian Glanville dies aged 93
Brian Glanville, the influential football writer who covered the game for seven decades, has died at the age of 93. Glanville was the football correspondent for The Sunday Times for 30 years as well as contributing to World Soccer magazine for five decades, and was author to some of football's most influential books. A lifelong Arsenal fan, Glanville's first book, with Arsenal winger Cliff Bastin, was published in 1950, while his most recently published works included obituaries of Manchester United forward Denis Law and Northern Ireland winger Peter McParland earlier this year. He continued to work on Arsenal publications with the latest being a history of Highbury in 2006. Glanville was perhaps best known for his book The Story of the World Cup, first published in 1993 and regularly updated since. He was also a novelist, and wrote 31 books. Glanville had a good relationship with England's World Cup-winning captain Bobby Moore during his time covering the national side but did not hold back when it came to criticising managers. 'I have all sorts of amusing memories of Alf Ramsey, but he was a very strange man. He should have gone two years before he did. He'd blown it. He'd gone. He'd shot his bolt,' Glanville once said. RIP Brian Glanville, 93, maestro of the football stadium press box (and purveyor of truly awful jokes). This is the last time I saw him at work, at Craven Cottage in 2019, a few days short of his 88th birthday. — Richard Williams (@rwilliams1947) May 17, 2025 'I got on very well with Walter Winterbottom, but he was a rotten manager. Bobby Robson was grotesquely overrated. I thought he was a very inadequate manager and he failed so badly in Europe. He made a shocking job of it. He had a lot of luck. We nearly reached the World Cup final in 1990, but that was luck more than judgment, I think.' News of his death was announced by his son Mark late on Friday evening. The SJA sends its deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Brian Glanville, the "doyen of football writers" whose many books - including the essential 'The Story of the World Cup' - continue to bring so much insight, knowledge and joy to fans everywhere. RIP Brian. — Sports Journalists (@SportSJA) May 16, 2025 The Sports Journalists' Association said in a statement: 'The SJA sends its deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Brian Glanville, the 'doyen of football writers' whose many books – including the essential The Story of the World Cup – continue to bring so much insight, knowledge and joy to fans everywhere. RIP Brian.' Brian Glanville 1931 – 2025. A tribute by his friend @rwilliams1947 — The Football Writers' Association (@theofficialfwa) May 17, 2025 Andrew Neil, among Glanville's editors at The Sunday Times, posted on X: 'Brian Glanville was indeed a true great. One of the brightest assets during my 11 years editing The Sunday Times. One of the greatest ever football writers.'
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Brian Glanville: Tributes paid to 'the doyen of football writers' after death aged 93
Tributes have been flooding in for the late Brian Glanville. The death of one of the greatest and most influential football writers of all time, nicknamed 'the doyen of football writers' in England, at the age of 93 was confirmed by his son late on Friday night. Mark Glanville wrote on social media platform X: 'RIP a true great who also happened to be my dad. What a life, and such a legacy.' Glanville was among the biggest names in football writing for decades. He spent 30 years as football correspondent for The Sunday Times, wrote for World Soccer Magazine for more than half a century and also penned a number of books and biographies on the game, plus other novels and short stories. His passing has led to an outpouring of tributes and fond memories shared from around the world of football journalism and beyond. RIP a true great who also happened to be my dad. What a life, and such a legacy. — Mark Glanville (@MarcoManasseh) May 16, 2025 The Sports Journalists' Association (SJA) wrote on social media: 'The SJA sends its deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Brian Glanville, the 'doyen of football writers' whose many books - including the essential 'The Story of the World Cup' - continue to bring so much insight, knowledge and joy to fans everywhere. RIP Brian.' Henry Winter penned a heartfelt tribute to Glanville, which began: 'Brian Glanville, who has sadly passed away aged 93, was the greatest football writer this country has ever known. 'The joy evoked by Glanville was not only in reading his beautiful, insightful words. But also listening to his eloquent appraisal of a player, a manager, a match. 'Glanville had a rich voice and vocabulary that demanded listening to. You didn't so much meet Glanville as have an audience with him. 'All the time you were in his compelling company you were aware of what a privilege it was, what knowledge was being imparted.' RIP Brian Glanville, 93, maestro of the football stadium press box (and purveyor of truly awful jokes). This is the last time I saw him at work, at Craven Cottage in 2019, a few days short of his 88th birthday. — Richard Williams (@rwilliams1947) May 17, 2025 Friend and former Guardian chief sports writer Richard Williams also penned a moving tribute to Glanville published on the Football Writers' Association (FWA) website, which read: 'Some of us are old enough to remember a time when colleagues often sniggered at Brian Glanville's ability to pronounce the names of foreign footballers – particularly those of Italian players – correctly. 'They stopped laughing when English teams were suddenly filled with foreign players, and the ability to avoid mangling their names became a necessary part of a football reporter's skillset. 'Brian's interest in the game as it was played in other countries sprang from his cosmopolitan nature; it turned out to be prophetic, and I often felt that the rest of us should have been paying him some sort of pathfinder's royalty. Brian Glanville 1931 – 2025. A tribute by his friend @rwilliams1947 — The Football Writers' Association (@theofficialfwa) May 17, 2025 'A sophisticate as much at home at the Chelsea Arts Club as at Stamford Bridge, he came from a time before football became gentrified but played and wrote about it with wholehearted commitment and without condescension towards those who'd come to it via routes very different from his own. 'He also told the most appalling jokes, a habit long overshadowed in the memory by the vision he brought to his writings on the game he so loved, and the elegance with which he expressed even his most pungent opinions. So, not with a snigger but with a bow of respect: Ciao, maestro!' The FWA said: 'We at the FWA are saddened to hear of the passing of Brian Glanville, doyen of football writers. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.' Brazil-based football journalist Tim Vickery said of Glanville, who spent much of his time in Italy and also wrote for Rome sports newspaper Corriere dello Sport, among other Italian outlets: 'I owe a huge debt to this man. A True giant of our trade, a mighty source of internacionalist inspiration. RIP Brian Glanville.' RIP Brian, the inspiration for so many of us with his words in print and on radio. Outspoken, authoritative, intelligent and witty, you always knew he was in the room. Played football with and against him well into old age too, when his legs would not obey his razor-sharp mind.… — Gerry Cox (@GerryCox) May 17, 2025 Hayters' Gerry Cox wrote: 'RIP Brian, the inspiration for so many of us with his words in print and on radio. Outspoken, authoritative, intelligent and witty, you always knew he was in the room. 'Played football with and against him well into old age too, when his legs would not obey his razor-sharp mind. 'When my knees started to break down, he kindly referred me for successful treatment to his wife Pamela, a spiritual healer. We'll never see a man of so many talents in our ranks again. '
