An Irrational Hatred of Luton

by Robert Banks

Somewhere in a parallel universe there is another Robert Banks, who is a season ticket holder at Manchester United and is a highly successful novel writer and adored by everyone in the world, regardless of footballing, religious or racial denomination. But is he happy? You bet the hell he isA" But Robert Banks is not that man. Since childhood, he has been obsessed with West Ham United Football Club. A team of persistent and historical under-achievers. After all, the only thing West Ham ever brought home was the 1966 World Cup, but that doesn't count, apparently. Laugh out loud funny, and almost devastatingly poignant, AN IRRATIONAL HATRED OF LUTON is an odyssey through the world of a committed football supporter. A real-life Fever Pitch, and with a Hornby-esque deftness of tone, Banks' book shows how intricately in the life of a true fan, football interconnects with the everyday. Banks' friendships, relationships, work, emotions of joy and despair all take place against a backdrop of claret and blue. Then Saturday comes and he watches his team get thumped again. A compelling and hilarious journey into the nature of obsession.

336 pages, Paperback

First published November 15, 1995

About the author

Librarian Note:
There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Reviews

[Alex Sandom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty late to this one (about 25 years late). Once my Dad had realised I hadn't read this yet he promptly lent me his copy and urged me to pick it up, and I can see why. This is a fantastic, humorous take on life as a West Ham fan, the ups and (mainly) downs that entails and how a simple game of football can influence your outlook on life. It goes without saying any West Ham fan would get a kick out of reading this, although there is a lot here for any football fan to enjoy. It might also be helpful for any non-football fan to get a window into why fans get so worked up over 'just a game'. Mainly demonstrating how, even as other facets of life change, your Club can be a constant source of comfort (or likely misery), but it's a constant all the same.

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Takes me back to the glory years of terraces at Upton Park.

[Sean Brennan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very strange title for a book about West ham. I read it out of curiousity as a Luton fan. I stuck with it, would be a nice read for a ham fan, especially if you're from the same era 80s and early 90s.

[Stuart Robinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very niche read - but a niche I just happen to fit in.