My book - The greatest game on earth - A collection of footballing verse

I'm nearly ready to go. Exciting times! Need my readers, mates, relatives to rally round and get copies, yes, I'll sign too. Big discount if you get directly from me.

This is the debut poetry collection of a fans first collection of football verse. The book touches on aspects of the 'beautiful game', from the amazing feeling of elation when a goal is scored to a tribute in memory of the 'galloping Major' Ferenc Puskas. Also included are Sir Alex Ferguson, Ashley Cole, David Pleat, and Liverpool's historic Champions League victory in Istanbul.

© 2007

Testimonials:-

Ralph Windle otherwise known as Bertie Ramsbottom - UK Poet, Writer and Presenter. Editor of The Poetry of Business Life.

"If there are still people around who think football is just 90 minutes of chasing a ball around, then Emdad Rahman's book should put them right. With Nessum Dorma, Pavoratti and Grand Opera already on the terraces, it was only a matter of time till Poetry moved in. 'The Greatest Game on Earth' adds the stanza to soccer's cultural bonanza."

Muhib Choudhury - President, British Bangladesh Press Club:

“Emdad has lived up to his promise of providing an uplifting book of poetry. This collection of verse is inspiring. "The Greatest Game on Earth" is a stimulated and reassured compilation, amusing, gloomy, consistently proficient.”

Rabina Khan – Author of Rainbow Hands & Ayesha’s Rainbow:

"Humorous, touching and most of all engaging. A poignant expression of yearnings, memories and joy. Football needed just that poetic touch!"

Shakayet Hussain: General Secretary & Co-founder of United Sporting Luton FC:

“Vigorous, startling, expressive, poignant and subtle. Emdad's knowledge of the beautiful game is immense and the book is testament to that. He cleverly informs the reader of past and present history and educates us in a pleasurable way. For some it will be a trip down memory lane, from remembering that night in Istanbul to Scholes's failed upper cuts. This is a must read for all football fans. I enjoyed the book - it is easy to read, exciting and well written. Five stars for a five star writer.”

Shafiqul Haque - Mayor of the London Borough of Tower Hamlets 2006/07:

“I believe that everybody would benefit from a daily poetry fix. This book contains well crafted and wholesome poetry. Congratulations go to the Author on his writing debut.”

Abdal Ullah: President of Stepney Football Club:

“This is an extension of Emdad’s talents – that were evident from our time together as classmates in secondary school. This book comes highly recommended.”

Superintendant Dal Babu:

“A collection of stimulating poems.”

Jim Fitzpatrick MP:

“I wish Emdad well with his new book. It's always good to see Tower Hamlets citizens engaged in cultural activities especially in publishing.”

Will Wenger go?

Not if Mart has his way...

Fabio Capello sacked

It could only happen at Real Madrid. Can anyone justify this crazy sacking. Capello is the great coach of European football. Oh well, there's always another challenge. This is not new. Remember Vicente Del Bosque? If a European giant doesn't snap Cap up then my bet is Roberto Donadoni will be getting real itchy feet...

FULL story...

Are women liberated?

Please take note all refreshments are free. That's usually enough to get my attention.

The Big Red Book of New Labour Sleaze

Last year Iain Dale and Guido Fawkes put together a very popular book titled; The Little Red Book of New Labour Sleaze. the book was compiled by using contributions from fellow bloggers. We now have installment number two, which is bigger and bolder.

Order it here. There's even a slot in there for yours truly...

Yasir Rashid: Hotshot extraordinaire!

Are you a Gooner? Depressed about Terry Henry (forget the French pronounciations) Don't despair. This man scored an incredible 53 goals for United Sporting Luton last season. Pictured with me, my uncle Salahuddin and my mate Jay. The funny thing is I got a better and classier award than top man Yasir (stop sniggering at the back). Nuff said. Just remember where you heard it first...

United Sporting Luton Awards Night 2007

United Sporting Lution (USL) held their awards night amidst much fanfare this week. A well deserved end of season dinner at the Dove Indian Cuisine in Aylesbury saw players presented with a whole host of awards. The team finished a very creditable fourth in the Luton District & South Beds Football League.

A slap up curry feast was shortly followed by the eagerly awaited awards ceremony. Club co founder and General Secretary Shakayet Hussain presented awards with the Azad Ali, assistant Manager (co-founder) and prime Sponsor Bashir Ahmed from Barket finance. Hussain spoke of his pride at the progress of the club, which now boasts 4 teams. Manager Steve Blackhurst was in poignant mood; "We have had a good season and now is the time for us to analyse and look at ways to improve. The key is to keep aiming high."
Star of the night was hotshot Yasir Rashid who picked up a hattrick awards, namely, the golden boot, management award and joint winner with Dean Ashton (not the recovering West Ham star) of the player of the year accolade for the 2006/07 season. It was not difficult to single out Yasir as during a season of personal triumph, the blazing centre forward notched an astonishing 53 goals.USL was founded by Shakayet and Azad after they both decided to do something positive for the community.

USL was thus formed on the 6th of February 2003 by close friends Shakayet and Azad. Both love the beautiful game and aspired to start up their own football team. The finance was supplied by a successful local businessman Abdul Haque, owner of the acclaimed Methi Restaurant chain.

The club began life playing friendlies and their first competitive matches were played on July 2003 when they entered the competitive Sportsman Dunstable FC's 11 a side tournament. In August 2003 the club became affiliated to the Bedfordshire Football Association and month later was elected to play in the Luton Sunday Football League.The club play their home games at the Peter Newton Ground, adjacent to the Bedfordshire Football Association Headquarters. USL practises a zero tolerance policy towards racism and racial abuse. All players and supporters are asked to join with the Club in promoting racial awareness and creating an environment in which all individuals from any ethnic origin can feel comfortable.

USL also uses football as a vehicle to promote racial awareness and has developed an initiative called "Luton Shining" which aims to unite communities, create ethnic harmony via a series of projects. Sponsorship from the Football Foundation and awareness from 'Kick Racism Out Of Football' campaign have provided valuable funds to add quality to the initiative. Luton Shining is in its first year and aims to deliver social inclusion and outreach activities throughout Luton. During football's Anti-Racism week which falls in October every year, USL will embark on some innovative programmes.

The full awards list:

Fair Play - David Mitchell
Player Of The Year - Dean Ashton & Yasir Rashid
Best Newcomer - Daniel Owens
Management Award - Yasir Rashid
Top Scorer Award - Yasir Rashid
Most Improved Player - Shamim Ali
Appreciation Award - Alan Shury
Appreciation Award - Steve Blackhurst
Most Consistent Player - Peter Wilson
Community Award - Bashir Ahmed - Barket

There was even an award for yours truly...

United Sporting Luton

Ask not what Luton can do for us

Ask what we can do for Luton

















Visit website

The greatest game on earth - A collection of football prose

Coming soon:- I'm really counting on my mates to prebook orders for birthday presents and Christmas stocking fillers...

New Egyptian Superhero Launched

"THE 99" Creator Launches New Egyptian Superhero at World Famous Library Bibliotheca Alexandrina

Alexandria, Egypt - (May 31, 2007) - Kuwait based Teshkeel Media Group today announced the newest member of THE 99, the Egyptian superhero Baqi, the Everlasting.

"The story of THE 99 begins in a great library," explained Al-Mutawa, Founder and CEO of Teshkeel. "So I'm especially honored to be invited to speak at one of the great libraries of the modern world. Reading was the great pleasure of my childhood and the fantastic stories and wonderful literature that I discovered were one of the main influences on the creation of THE 99. A central message of our series is that knowledge is power and that there is no greater treasure in the world than learning. To be invited to share my own vision and knowledge in such a prestigious forum is truly one of the highlights of my career and my life."

Dr. Ismail Serageldin, Director of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, said, "When I first heard Naif speak, I realized that the story of THE 99 reflects our own mission at the Bibliotheca. The heroes of THE 99 are the new time "Huras Al Hikma", guardians of knowledge, and their goals are very much ours. Our team in Alexandria shares his vision of providing positive role models and strong social values for the children of the MENA region. THE 99 teach us that learning and understanding are always the best way to find a solution for any problem. The super heroes in Teshkeel's publications are a great way for us to reach children and their families with this vital message."

Added Al-Mutawa, "I'm especially delighted to have had the opportunity to introduce the new, Egyptian member of THE 99. Baqi, which means the Everlasting, is a true representation of the values and spirit of Egypt. His power of superhuman endurance reflects the timeless nature and enduring influence of the Egyptian culture. And like the Bibliotheca itself, he draws upon the strengths of his country and history to solve modern problems and make the world a better place."