Set against a backdrop of economic recession, rampant
hooliganism and suspect fashion, Go To War tells the story of
how triumph and tragedy shaped English football during the turbulent 1980s. It
was a decade where some fans died watching the game they loved, and at times,
the ‘slum sport’ seemed set to implode. Yet remarkably, the game was on the
cusp of morphing into the behemoth it has become today. 



The book delves into the stories behind the successes and
strife at Liverpool, Everton, Nottingham Forest, Aston Villa and Arsenal,
focuses on how ‘small-town boys’ from Luton, Watford and Wimbledon made their
mark and investigates the trials and tribulations of the England team. The
decade also heralded the arrival of artificial pitches and fanzines, and the
new breed of high-profile executives like Irving Scholar and Martin Edwards,
who by the end of the decade were busy changing the face of football.



Thirty years in the making, Go To War draws
heavily on the recollections of ’80s icons including Terry Butcher, Graeme
Sharp and Tony Cottee, managerial legends like Howard Kendall and Bobby Robson,
and FA Cup heroes Ricky Villa and Norman Whiteside. Like its prequel, the
bestselling Get It On: How The ’70s Rocked Football, Go To
War provides a unique insight into a pivotal footballing decade.