Collection: Blog

From Dave Mitchell’s trailblazing move to Rangers to Ange Postecoglou’s history-making run at Celtic, Socceroos in Scotland, by Paul Murphy, charts four decades of Australian footballers’ growing impact in Scotland and the surprising two-way bond between the two footballing cultures.

Throughout this week on social media, we've been highlighting three of our books relevant to the aim of NAIDOC Week, which runs from 6th-13th July. This year's NAIDOC is of special significance as it is the 50th anniversary of the celebration, with the theme of The Next Generation: Strength, Vision, and Legacy.

As the Women’s EUROs kick off, there’s no better time to read a book that helps keep the game honest. 

Radicalised by FIFA – Football, History and Feminism is a fiercely intelligent, unexpectedly funny, and deeply personal memoir from English academic Professor Jean Williams.

100 years ago today, Australia played its first football match against England at the 'Ekka' (Exhibition Ground) in Brisbane. It was the first of a five-match series played in Sydney, Melbourne and Maitland. We figure if we didn't tell you about it, who would? 

Shoutout to the Socceroos fans in Jeddah on Wednesday morning who acknowledged the work of Simon Hill. Simon has always been a big supporter of Fair Play Publishing, our work, and the efforts of our authors, for which we are grateful. 

Baby, it may have been cold outside, but it was worthwhile getting up early this morning to watch the Socceroos (and Maty Ryan in his 100th match) make yet more history.

Their sixth consecutive World Cup. 

We’re launching something special at Fair Play Publishing: The Readers’ Bench—an exclusive early reader book club for people who love books and don’t mind speaking their mind (kindly, of course).

The point is that his contribution to football extends beyond his personal story, or the trophies he has accumulated in four countries as both a player and a manager. His role in our game and his influence have spanned decades, from the worst of times to the best of times and the bits in between.

Tomorrow, April 23rd, we celebrate the power of books to entertain, inform, inspire, and ignite change. At Fair Play Publishing, we believe there’s a story for everyone—and on April 23, you can pick yours for 23% less.

Happy #Easter, whether or not you celebrate, from all at Fair Play Publishing to you and yours.  

Join us at the Manly Writers' Festival on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday, March 28, 29, and 30, to meet several Fair Play Publishing authors (and friends) across our three imprints: Fair Play, Popcorn Press, and Pepper Press. We're also releasing three books this month, especially for the Festival. 

What better way to find out more about your favourite books or get them signed than to join us at the 2025 Manly Writers' Festival from 28-30 March 2025?

As the 2025 football season approaches and players register across Australia after the record-breaking 1.9 million participants last year, Amy Schembri's new book, Making It...Or Not—The Real Journey Told by Professional Players, is timely and invaluable. 

December 25th is over for another year. We hope you enjoyed it.

Now? It's time to relax and take a deep breath to recharge for the new year. 

So to help you relax, why not pick up one of our really good books at a bargain price? 

So it's less than two days to Christmas; you haven't quite finished getting the presents yet; and Australia Post - who does a damn good job most of the time - can't help you anymore. You've got three options.

Santa's schedule via Australia Post is closing-in on all of us. To make it simple (as there are different dates for different states), here is a quick guide for domestic postage. 

A pop-up shop AND a Black Friday sale! Read on.

The three business-related accounts which we run - Fair Play Publishing, Football Writers' Festival, and Manly Writers' Festival - are in the process of leaving X (formerly known as Twitter). 

We're delighted to bring you the latest book written by a Socceroo with a twist: because this book is not about football—but man's and woman's best friends from Jim Fraser (cap #234). 

Twenty-eight short stories that are funny or sad, will make you chuckle, and all of which are genuine feel-good reads.

Author appearances at our pop-up shop from November 26th to December 1st.

1. Saturday 30th, 10am:  James Vella-Bardon
2. Saturday 30th, 10.30am:    Texi Smith
3. Saturday 30th, 3pm:     David Weiner
4. Sunday 1st, 11.30am:   Jim Fraser
5. Sunday 1st, 4pm:         Jill Valentine 

124 Beatrice Street, Balgowlah Heights, Sydney.

In a journey that spans continents, trials, and triumphs, Abebi follows the life of Abebi Ngom as she rises through personal heartbreak to international football fame as a Matilda. 

Sometimes maligned, sometimes celebrated, and often misunderstood, the professional football agent is an essential part of today's football landscape in Australia and globally. What happens behind the scenes in securing potentially life-changing deals has been a mystery—until now. 

This profoundly personal narrative chronicles Anthony’s journey from the devastating diagnosis through to the heartbreaking loss of his wife. It is both a love story and a testament to the strength of the human spirit when confronted with unimaginable adversity.

This book has helped me to love my wife differently—with fewer conditions and more sacrifice. Men should read this book.

Dr John P Best, FACSEP FFSE