Genre: sport, historical fiction

Stars: 4

Links: Amazon UK and Amazon US

The Blurb:

Sabina Park Rangers is the first team of black players to reach the final of the Watney’s Challenge Cup. But coach Horace McIntosh has more selection problems than most. The First Division champions want to sign one of his best players – and right up until the day of the match he is uncertain that he will have a team for the biggest game in the club’s history because of arrests, a scam and an atmosphere of impending violence.

My Review:

A mix of crime, violence, racism, and sport, this is well-researched and realistic historical fiction.

Sabina Park Rangers is trying to win the Cup against a backdrop of social upheaval in 1980s England. Facing violence, racism, manipulation, and enticements, their coach does what he can to keep them all together, and focused on the football…

The realism was dripping throughout, the characters well drawn, and the story unfolded in a way that kept you guessing and turning the pages. Not the happiest of stories, but a pertinent reminder of the issues facing so many communities, even today. Recommended

Author Bio:

Ralph Robb was born and raised in the industrial town of Wolverhampton, England, and now lives in Ontario, Canada with his wife, two cats and a dog. A proud father of four, Robb works as an engineering technician and loves rugby, martial arts and of course a good book. His world is balanced by his obsession with comic books, quality TV, global events and the great outdoors.

Social Media Links :

Facebook: www.facebook.com/RalphRobbBooks

Twitter: @RalphSRobb

Webpage: www.ralphrobb.com