Greetings Kankas
and Kankies.
I finished
reading this book today and I thoroughly enjoyed ‘the ride’ !
I first met John
on the terraces of the 19 Mayis Stadium in Ankara when he came to watch an
Ankaragucu match and I had no idea at that time he was writing a book about
Turkish footie. I assumed he was
another one of us blinkered Ankaragucu fantics !!
It was therefore
an honour and a privilege to be invited to his book launch on the 18th
of June at The British Ambassador’s Residence in Ankara. In his address to the audience he gave a few
‘tit-bits’ of the direction the book would take.
Unsurprisingly,
the book centred mainly around the Istanbul clubs, with particular emphasis on
John’s adopted team, Besiktas. However,
there were interesting chapters on footie in Ankara, Izmir, Trabzon, Antep and
Diyarbakir in which I learned much.
I have been
following Ankaragucu since 1988 and thought I knew most things about Turkish
footie, but I was pleased to learn so much about its history which I didn’t
know !
The book was
well researched and pulled no punches in its use of ‘terracing language’ when
necessary.
An excellent
read, most enjoyable, and I highly recommend you obtain a copy whether you are
a footie fanatic or not.
Thanks for ‘the journey’
John, and look forward to seeing you again soon on the terraces and socially.
All the best
from Eski Kanka Jim
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