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.

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. 

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.

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. 

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. 

It's 'Booktober': want to have a chat about a really good book?

Then join us at one of our book launches or author talks this 'Booktober'.

Whether your dad is a football enthusiast, a sports history buff, someone who loves a gripping novel or just a great read about people, we're happy to share a selection of books that make the perfect gift. 

Our second release in June was RIPPA! the second football novel from P.J. Laverty.

Set in the late 1980s -  after Craig Johnston but before the likes of Mark Viduka, Harry Kewell, Tim Cahill, et al made their names in English football - it is about Joey Rippa, a young football-playing surf-loving, pot-smoking, guitar-strumming 19-year-old from coastal Western Australia who is 'discovered' by the manager of West Ham while on a pre-season trip to Perth. 

It was 50 years ago today that the team we know as the #Socceroos made their debut in the World Cup, facing off against East Germany in Hamburg. This historic match marked the beginning of a legacy that continues to inspire football fans and young players around the country.

Chances are that most Australian football fans are not familiar with midfielder Charyl Chappuis, yet he is one of the best-known footballers from Thailand, one of our Asian Football Confederation neighbours.

For many, South America epitomises most of what we love about football. Tales of South American Football - Passion, Revolution and Glory by Jorge Knijnik weaves the fabric of culture and sport in 13 chapters that give the reader a path into the region's modern history and social realities. 

One of our books has been shortlisted for the prestigious Football Book of the Year as part of the 2024 Sports Book Awards sponsored by Charles Tyrwhitt in association with The Sunday Times. We are thrilled for author Sally Freedman and her book, "Get Your T*ts Out for the Lads". 

Our farewell and tribute to goalkeeper Ron Lord who died aged 94 on 8th April 2024, and who played 13 internationals between 1951 and 1964.

Earlier this month on International Women's Day we released three books which further demonstrate our commitment to women: women in sport, women in football, women in business and, of course, women in literature and publishing.

George Best Down Under delves into the four tours to Australia by the iconic George Best, one of world football’s greatest legends, chronicling Best’s trips to Australia starting with the tour by Manchester United in 1967, one year before United won the European Cup and Best the Ballon d’Or.

The second of our football books released in March is available now. When Mum and Dad See Me Kick from Stuart Thomas comprises ten thoughtfully crafted short stories that demonstrate that the 'beautiful game' is home to the world's biggest community. 

Join us for the launch of When Mum and Dad See Me Kick by Stuart Thomas and The Yawning Giant by Mark Bowman at Gleebooks, 181a Glebe Point Road, Glebe on Tuesday March 28th, 2023.

The second of our exclusive extracts on Australia's World Cup goalscorers - this time Craig Goodwin.

An exclusive extract on Mathew Leckie, 2022 World Cup goalscorer, from the Encyclopedia of Socceroos Centenary Edition 1922 to 2022 by Andrew Howe.

40 days to go to the 2022 World Cup, and 40 days until we unleash our World Cup book offerings.