Dave McNamara

McNamara is recognized as one of the early greats of the game playing for St. Kilda between 1905 and 1923. This work is probably the first book by a football star and like its title indicates it is a general book about the game as seen by McNamara, and not an autobiographical work. In the introduction McNamara states he proposes to ‘discuss many vital points relative to the game’. These include some history, some pointers on how to play the game, and even a short story with a football theme. However, there are also significant sections on some of the contentious issues of his time such as payments for players and gambling on football. It includes black and white portraits of about 20 leading football identities, and some pictures of McNamara demonstrating his famed kicking prowess. It is a very rare book but it has been republished in 2014 in a facsimile edition, with an Foreword by well-known sports journalist and author Michael Sexton.… (more)