Sports & Recreation

Football has an integrity problem.


Whether it is the reckless behaviour of players on or off the pitch, television commentators bad-mouthing decisions during the game, or corrupt governance of the sport, football has a tarnished reputation. Big money means big public interest and an even bigger responsibility to make it a sport that is inclusive, professional and, at the very least, law-abiding.


Dan Hough puts the game under scrutiny to find out why football has become the benchmark for bad behaviour in sport. He examines the role of players, governing bodies, managers and owners, referees, pundits and fans to show how they have all contributed to the game’s failings and how all have a part to play in improving its integrity.


Football matters and because it matters it needs fixing.

The first edition of The Price of Football quickly established itself as the go-to guide to understanding football club finance for the serious fan. Kieran Maguire, one of the UK's top football finance analysts, shows how professional clubs operate as businesses and explains, in non-technical language, how to read, understand and interrogate club accounts.


As a clear-headed analysis and presentation of the financial imperatives and challenges facing football clubs across the English and Scottish Leagues, it has become a welcome resource not only for students of the industry, but by a wider constituency of supporters looking to understand their club's latest transfer deal, or season ticket price.


This fully revised and updated third edition includes analysis of the most recent club accounts, the latest rulings on club governance, as well as coverage of recent regulation breaches, changes of ownership, bankruptcies and financial irregularities.

The first edition of The Price of Football quickly established itself as the go-to guide to understanding football club finance for the serious fan. Kieran Maguire, one of the UK’s top football finance analysts, shows how professional clubs operate as businesses and explains, in non-technical language, how to read, understand and interrogate club accounts.

As a clear-headed analysis and presentation of the financial imperatives and challenges facing football clubs across the English and Scottish Leagues, it has become a welcome resource not only for students of the industry, but by a wider constituency of supporters looking to understand their club’s latest transfer deal, or season ticket price.

This fully revised and updated edition includes analysis of the most recent club accounts, the latest legal rulings on club affairs, as well as the impact of Covid-19 on the game’s finances.

The first edition of The Price of Football quickly established itself as the go-to guide to understanding football club finance for the serious fan. Kieran Maguire, one of the UK’s top football finance analysts, shows how professional clubs operate as businesses and explains, in non-technical language, how to read, understand and interrogate club accounts.

As a clear-headed analysis and presentation of the financial imperatives and challenges facing football clubs across the English and Scottish Leagues, it has become a welcome resource not only for students of the industry, but by a wider constituency of supporters looking to understand their club’s latest transfer deal, or season ticket price.

This fully revised and updated edition includes analysis of the most recent club accounts, the latest legal rulings on club affairs, as well as the impact of Covid-19 on the game’s finances.