by Arthur Wise
First published 1969
The Cup Final at Wembley begins like any other match. Newcastle United supporters pack the stands alongside Chelsea fans. Then violence erupts between the rival crowds. What starts as thrown bottles and charging fans quickly spirals beyond the stadium walls. The riot spreads through London streets and ignites old grievances between North and South. Regional pride turns to regional warfare as England splits along ancient lines. Cities choose sides. The government struggles to contain the chaos as neighbor turns against neighbor. At the center of this national breakdown, ordinary people must decide where their loyalties lie when football rivalry becomes civil war. Arthur Wise transforms a simple sporting event into an examination of class, identity, and the fragile bonds that hold a nation together.
Genres: drama, 20th-century, adventure, crime, contemporary, british-literature, action, 21st-century
Vibes: emotional, fast-paced, thought-provoking
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, regional-conflict
Setting: London, Newcastle, Scotland, Wembley
Period: 20th-century, 21st-century
189 pages · Paperback · Hodder & Stoughton Ltd., London
Content warnings: violence