Here’s what the first reviewer of this book has said:
This new book is right up there with the very best of Hagiology’s publications. This Kingslander was
concerned, pre-publication, that the constraint of cramming 100 matches into a mere 15 seasons
might dilute the product. All such fears were quickly allayed. The matches are included on merit and
the prose is purple. Indeed, the fact that we hear several different voices [from 15 contributors]
chipping in keeps the narrative fresh.
An awful lot of water has passed under the Itchen Bridge since the move to St Mary’s, some of it
pretty dirty but much that is sparkling clean. The decline and two falls and the start of the revival in
Saints’ fortunes hang nicely around Match No 48 of the 100 matches: the 2010 Final of the
Johnstone’s Paint Trophy. Thank you, editors, for the four-page homage to the day the fans got their
club back. Thank you, Markus, a thousand times over and more.
Mark Fickling, Saints Matchday Magazine
And they’ve been enjoying the book on the fans’ forums, too:
The format of this book is simple: two pages are dedicated to each of the 100 games, with the writer’s memories accompanied by at least two pictures and a comment from a player. Rickie Lambert and other recent Saints feature heavily in this.
It is varied and interesting and gives insights about the stories behind the games themselves – and that is its strength. It is a living history book: it is not about stats; it is about the event itself and the
feelings of those who were there.
I cannot think of why every Saints supporter would not want to own one. It is a snapshot of the history of our club over the past 15 years – a history that Saints fans of all ages have taken part in and therefore would surely want a record of.
If there is one book that Saints fans should own, then it is this one. It documents a piece of the club’s history that we were all part of.
Nick Illingsworth, Ugly Inside
On the face of it, this is a book of a selected 100 match reports of the most memorable matches from 2002-16. But it so much more than just that.
The editors, David Bull and Barry Webb, have put together a book that is a ‘must have’ for any Saints fan. They have been very innovative and obviously very persuasive in getting an eclectic mix of players, managers, sports journalists and ordinary Saints fans, men and woman, to share memories from those 100 games. Not forgetting the coup of getting Katharina Liebherr to write the Foreword.
With each match report there are a few facts and figures – and the result, of course - but these are a sideshow to the actual content of each match report, which has a box – or, in some cases, two boxes – of comments from somebody who actually played in the game or, sometimes, the manager. The most prolific contributors of players’ comments is Rickie Lambert. There must be something about the Saints number seven shirt that produces such a great memory recall! Matt Le Tissier has often proved he has a photographic memory and now Rickie Lambert has shown the same trait. All of Rickie’s comments make interesting reading – as do the comments from other players.
Duncan Holley tells of the day he was chauffeured to a game at Doncaster by an ex-Saints chairman. He mixes his report on the game with some spicy boardroom gossip and some betting tips. Stories like this make the book what is – a cracking good read. The book is not completely male dominated. Female contributions include reports by Barry Webb’s daughter, Helen Elshaw, and some great photos from Suze Endean.
The most poignant report in the book – and my favourite – is by Elaine Chadwick. Elaine’s partner, Rob Culley, was a passionate Saints fan and a designer working with Hagiology Publishing since In That Number in 2003. He sadly passed away at an all too early age in 2014 and Elaine’s contribution is about the last game that she and Rob attended together in September 2014. Much of her story centres around her 10 year-old nephew and his excitement at being at his first-ever Saints game. If you want to know more you will have to purchase the book, but make sure you have some tissues handy.
There are some great reports and plenty of humour; some wonderful pictures, all in colour; and some rare insights as to how players recall incidents in games.
This book is a gem that all Saints fans will love and cherish as a reminder of the strength of character, not only of the players and managers who have taken us on this sometimes chaotic journey of the past 15 years but of the fans, too.
Herbie Taylor, Saints List
Purchase Match of the New Millennium direct
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