A New Formation is quite simply one of the most important football books ever written. What we often like to imagine as the history of football has, for the most part, been written entirely through the white male gaze. In this collection of essays A New Formation tells new stories, forgotten stories, undervalued stories, and does so with heart and humanity and humour. It's our game, as narrated by the people who love it. - Jonathan Liew I think that’s the real beauty of the book. It’s a pure cultural expression of pride and history captured and delivered in a way that is incredibly refreshing. Refreshing in its ability to critically analyse and deconstruct the culture that surrounds the game. Refreshing in its reverence and ability to offer a deeper understanding of the game that so many people have overlooked or never knew how to truly explain. Constantly criticised by the tabloids in the early years of his career: Raheem Sterling in action for Manchester City. Photograph: Matt McNulty /Manchester City FC/Getty Images

The book excels in delivering important stories that need to be heard and understood individually and on a personal level. The independent essay format and the opening introduction from Cal is delivered in such a way that these stories are just that - they are personable, they are unwavering and they are all built on the purity of an individual connection, expression and experience. A New Formation is quite simply one of the most important football books ever written . What we often like to imagine as the history of football has, for the most part, been written entirely through the white male gaze. In this collection of essays A New Formation tells new stories, forgotten stories, undervalued stories, and does so with heart and humanity and humour. It's our game, as narrated by the people who love it. - Jonathan Liew