Books in the Football Fiction and Facts series

New boy Shane Logan has a temper, but he's also a talented goalie. When Peter and his friends invite Shane to join their football team, he delivers a star performance in the first match. But Shane's not the only one who makes an impression. Hanging over him like a shadow is his dad, Mick, who yells orders and insults from the sidelines. What is Mick's problem? And why does Shane seem afraid of him? The more Peter gets to know Shane, the more he worries that something is wrong - and that Shane's not as tough as he seems.A thought-provoking football story accompanied by fascinating facts about famous goalies and the history of goalkeeping from reluctant-reader favourite Alan Gibbons.

Sam's team are edging closer to the bottom of the league this season and team captain Jordan's bad attitude isn't helping anyone. When Sam spots Hasan playing on the refugee team, he can see that Hasan's got talent and invites him along to practice. Hasan and his friend Faisal prove to be exactly what the team need - but Jordan's not going to accept his new teammates so easily. Can Sam get the boys to pull together and win? Another winning combo of fact and fiction from reluctant reader favourite and footie king Alan Gibbons.

New boy Smithy can't understand why everyone is so excited about a player on the football team called "e;Bengo."e; He's been absent for the first few games of the season and starts the next game on the bench, so surely he can't be that special?But when their coach pulls Smithy off and sends Bengo on in his place, Smithy gets a chance to see him in action. Bengo is easily the best player Smithy's ever seen, putting in perfect crosses and generally running the opposition ragged.So why is Bengo left on the bench so often, and why does he seem to bottle it when any strong tackles come his way?An engaging football story accompanied by fascinating facts about famous substitutes, from reluctant-reader favourite Alan Gibbons.