Product Description

Liverpool's third season under Rafael Benítez was a tumultuous time both on and off the pitch. In 2007 Liverpool FC finally changed hands, with Americans George Gillett Jr. and Tom Hicks buying the club; work began on a radically redesigned state-of-the-art stadium at Stanley Park; and the team reached a seventh European Cup final. Without doubt a new era has begun.

Above Us Only Sky is much more than just the story of one season. As well as reflecting on the recent past, this book looks to the future, to examine how the new regime can make the Reds competitive in all aspects of the game - from silverware, and the pounds (and dollars) that help secure it, through to the players to whom Gillett and Hicks will be looking to achieve success on the pitch, including exciting new signings Fernando Torres and Ryan Babel, to name just two. What do the Reds need to do to win a 19th league crown?

Above Us Only Sky also examines how Liverpool FC has evolved from the provincial club of the 1960s, to now touch the lives of people in every corner of the globe. What does it mean to be a Liverpool fan in the new millennium, either as a native Liverpudlian or as one born thousands of miles away? How can the club move forward with a large and diverse fan base whose members, both local and global, have very different needs and desires?

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #109134 in Books
• Published on: 2007-10-08
• Binding: Paperback
• 170 pages

Vic Gill, Bill Shankly's son-in-law
The best writer on Liverpool FC, bar none.

About the Author
Paul Tomkins, an ex-semi-pro footballer and long-time season ticket holder at Anfield, is the author of four highly-acclaimed books on Liverpool FC. He writes a weekly column for the club's official website, and has contributed to many independent LFC sites and fanzines since 2000/01.

Customer Reviews

Contemporary History Writing.
Such a good football fan's intelligence,
Makes up for the idiots,
Who write on walls.

These are valuable books.
My great grandchildren will pore,
Over these records of a time.

And Pepys, Jonson et al.
Can eat their hearts out.
Born out of time.

Pundits must read this book
Another in depth, high quality analysis of Liverpool FC and Rafa Benitez on the journey back to sustainable success. All TV and radio pundits should carefully read ALL Paul Tomkins books, but especially this one before spouting their glib remarks.
I hope the new American owners have a copy to help them understand the real Liverpool FC. It should be compulsory reading for all Reds fans, new and old.

The best yet...
Another excellent book from Paul Tomkins, arguably the best writer of all things Liverpool FC. Well researched, balanced, insightful and as passionate as always, this is his best book to date.

If you enjoyed his other books (If you've not read them yet, then what exactly are you waiting for?) or are a fan of his weekly columns on the Official Site then you'll love this.

Picking up from last season's final in Athens it takes us through the culmination of the drawnout takeover - with all of the new possibilities and pitfulls that this entails - on to the club's new signings, the new season, and of course the continuing search for No 19. It even includes a Turkish Red in a Tapas bar in Barcelona! What more could you wish for?

A great read.