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by Edward Giles (2011) Hardback 240x159mm
224 pages. Illustrated
ISBN 978-1-905328-88-8
£16.99
This is the story of Raich Carter and Peter Doherty, two of soccer's greatest inside-forwards of the twentieth century. At its heart is the Perfect Partnership that the pair formed with Derby County near the end of the Second World War and for a short time after it - first as guest players, then after signing for bargain fees. Together they inspired the Rams' first (and only) winning of the FA Cup. There is also the 'Before' and 'After', as their careers are revisited from start to finish.
Although very different in their outlook and playing style, they had much in common as top-class footballers. Carter twice helped to carry off the Cup, first as captain, and he was the only player with that distinction either side of the war. Both players had to overcome early adversity. Both were in pre-war League Championship teams - in successive years. Both, as player-managers, achieved promotion from the Third Division - again in successive years. Both played for their countries before, during and after the 1939-45 War.
Carter managed another promoted club, and set a third on the way. Under Doherty, Northern Ireland were transformed into 1958 World Cup heroes. This fascinating tale embraces no fewer than sixteen League clubs, Read of Carter and Doherty both scoring four times, Doherty being the target of an angry mob, the club relegated immediately after being League champions, the World Cup-tie that wasn't, a match that ended the day after it began … And that is just a selection.
Contents:
1 MYSTERY MAN IN A PRIVATE PRACTICE MATCH
2 DEMORALISING FLOP IN A TRIAL AT LEICESTER
3 HAUNTED BY HUMILIATION AT HALF-TIME
4 CUP THRILLERS AFTER SCORING HOME DEBUT
5 ‘THE THREE MUSKETEERS’ AT BLACKPOOL
6 FOUR-GOAL SPURT TO A FIRST ENGLAND CAP
7 A ROKER SEASON OF TRIUMPH AND TRAGEDY
8 TWO CUP FINALS ON WAY TO LEAGUE TITLE
9 HAPPY FAMILY’ STORM TO CHAMPIONSHIP
10 WEMBLEY WIN AN IDEAL WEDDING PRESENT
11 RECORD RELEGATION AND NEAR REPEAT FINAL
12 DRIVEN AWAY FROM MAINE ROAD BY RIFTS
13 ABUSED FOR JOINING THE FIRE BRIGADE
14 TAXI DASH TO BEAT TRANSFER DEADLINE
15 CHANGE OF MANAGER ON WAY TO WEMBLEY
16 CUP CONTRASTS FOR CROOKS AND ‘OWD NICK’
17 THE LAYING OF A LONG-LASTING GYPSY CURSE
18 ALARMING TOUR INCIDENTS, AND A SAD SEQUEL
19 SURPRISE PRELUDE TO HUDDERSFIELD TRANSFER
20 ‘GREATEST CLUB GAME’ AFTER ARSENAL HALTED
21 THE ‘SEVEN DWARFS AFTER SNOW WHITE’
22 ‘THE GILBERT JESSOP OF DURHAM CRICKET’
23 PROMPT SUCCESS AS PLAYER-MANAGER
24 ‘THE MOST SUCCESSFUL ERA IN IRISH FOOTBALL’
25 WORLD CUP GLORY WITH INJURY-HIT SQUAD
26 THEIR FINAL YEARS
Derby County website