Fever Pitch: The Rise of the Premier League 1992-2004

by Paul McCarthy, Alan Shearer (Foreword)

THE INCREDIBLE FIRST 12 YEARS OF THE PREMIER LEAGUE AS TOLD BY THE LEGENDS WHO WERE THERE

'I met Jack Nicholson and when a Hollywood superstar asks about Manchester United, you realise how big the Premier League is around the world'
David Beckham

Based on the acclaimed BBC Series, with a foreword by Alan Shearer

The Premier League is the most watched sports league in the world, broadcast into 188 countries and watched by 3.2 billion people worldwide. It revolutionised football, transforming the beautiful game into a multi-billion-pound business and making its biggest stars millionaires.

Fever Pitch tells the inside story of the formation of the league, from the early discussions with Rupert Murdoch about how Sky could be at the heart of this new league, to the bitter rivalries and radical new managers who changed the face of football forever.

With insight from football's biggest names, this is the inside track on the Premier League as you've never heard it before. From David Beckham to Eric Cantona, Peter Schmeichel to Gary Neville, this book is full of exclusive interviews that give fascinating insight into the biggest sports league in the world from the people who made it happen.

'The recognition our game gets is astonishing and the love of the Premier League is undeniable'
Alan Shearer

'England is special. It is more than football, it is like the players are rock stars'
Eric Cantona

'It's what it should be about - enthralling, exciting, magic, taking risks, playing attacking football'
Gary Neville

Genres: Sports, Football, Nonfiction

295 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 29, 2022

Reviews

[Isaac McIntyre · Rating 1 out of 5]

Fever Pitch: Paul McCarthy talks about his personal journeys and opinions on the rise of the Premier League in a strangely non-linear fashion right up until Jose Mourinho lived in his head so rent free he "fell out of love" with the competition and the game.

Perfect example of what not to do if you're writing a history book on a period of time, event, or personalities. Would have helped a little here if McCarthy's many anecdotes were actually interesting, but ah well.

[K · Rating 3 out of 5]

You can tell this was written by an English journalist (derogatory).

[ADRIAN HYDE-PRICE · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written potted history of the Premier League.

[Shane O · Rating 4 out of 5]

a brilliantly well written book reliving fantastic memories of the early days of the Premier league and how it has changed football in England

[Kurt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Almost went for four stars, but settled on three because it didn't quite give a comprehensive account of the Premier League - it was more a series of anecdotes (out of order, no less).

There were certainly interesting accounts of some of the key themes - TV rights, newfound celebrity, foreign influence on English football - but the approach was just a little to hodgepodge.

Proper fans will enjoy the nostalgia, but if you're looking for a thorough education on the early days of the Premier League, it doesn't quite hit the mark.

[Sara F · Rating 3 out of 5]

The premier league era as remembered by a sports reporter. In each chapter of this book, the author shares stories and occurances that are memorable to him or he believes played a big role in shaping the premier league as it is today. I didn't like that you didn't know where the book was going g and you can't figure out what each chapter is about except when you are halfway through. Overall, it's easy to read and an enjoyable book.

[Iain Muir · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Being a big football fan, I knew a lot of what was said, but there were things that I were yet to know.

McCarthy writes well, and his industry ties and connections allow him to regail the events of the Premier Leauge through its rise in detail and depth.

It's a great read and I would implore any football fans to pick this up.

[Mark Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read though my team Swindon Town hardly (not suprisingly) gets a mention. Thought it was going to be dry business assessment of the Premier League but rather it is a celebration of the football.

[Alexi Lagos · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall I found this an enjoyable read with a good combination of nostalgia and substance.
I did find myself occasionally lost in the chronology of certain events but think McCarthy does a good job in weaving through the meteoric rise of the Premier League.

[Ed · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brilliant book taking you through the first years of the premier league the chapter on Tony Adams was especially good .

[Lawrence · Rating 3 out of 5]

it would have been better if it included more player stories.