Is the Baw Burst?

About this book:

In May 2009, the SFA commissioned a review of Scottish football. In December 2010, the second and final part of the review, penned by former first minister Henry McLeish, was unveiled. Iain Hyslop read this review, and felt that it omitted several key points, so he embarked on journey which would take him to 44 football matches, from Peterhead to Berwick and Dingwall to Dumfries, across a single season. His travels have led to the production of this book — the unofficial review of Scottish Football. He covers everything from the weather to the pies, giving comments, criticism and suggestions for improvement as the voice from the terraces. The focus here is on the fans’ experience of a football match. Hyslop takes a step back from the political and financial issues which engulf Scottish Football to present his vision of the beautiful game as it should be.

Reviews:

In the book, Iain looks at the histroy of Scottish football, falling attendances, crumbling stadiums, the pies, the fans and the changes that need to be made.  Sunday Mail

Has Iain Hyslop got some news for you: Scottish football is not as broken as many people think it is. It is, though, in need of some urgent love, care and attention.  Scotsman

An amusing, episodic account of the state of the game, it also has some important observations from the point of view of the people who keep the game alive – the fans who buy the tickets and pies.  Scotsman

About the Author:

IAIN HYSLOP is a football fan and has been all of his life. From as early as he can remember, he has been obsessed with the beautiful game and this obsession continues unabated to this day. Neither the glorious failures of the national team or the usual disappointments for the club sides in the annual European sorties have dimmed the enthusiasm. He has followed Scotland and one of the Old Firm clubs since childhood and is a fully paid up member of the Scotland Travel Club. Born in Glasgow, in the year the Old Enemy won the World Cup, Iain grew up in the east end and served an apprenticeship in Govan Shipbuilders on the Clyde. Nowadays, he operates as a Health and Safety professional for one of the UK’s largest construction firms and is a tutor at Strathclyde University. He lives in Prestwick with his long suffering wife Debbi (she hates football) and their two Tibetan Terriers.