More Than A Shirt

How Football Shirts Explain Global Politics, Money and Power

Joey D'Urso

$55

Hardback

Forthcoming
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English

Seven Dials
19 June 2025

Fashion & society; Sociology: sport & leisure; Geopolitics; Football (Soccer, Association football)

'Extensively researched and wonderfully written, Joey's book deserves to be read by all' Martin O'Neill

'There's more to every aspect of football than meets the eye, and that's brilliantly captured here' Adrian Chiles

'Intelligent, thoughtful and brilliant' Chris Mason, BBC News

'Colourful... a treat for anyone interested in football and politics' Patrick Maguire, The Times

'Original and innovative... a ""Parts Unknown"" for the game' Miguel Delaney, Independent

'Smart, warm and original' Matt Chorley, BBC Radio 5 Live

Twenty-Two Football Shirts that explain the world, geopolitics and the biggest stories of our time

Football is the world's most popular sport, and the shirts worn by teams and their supporters are its greatest means of cultural expression. Every year clubs launch new kits with increasingly extravagant marketing campaigns and convoluted explanations of how their designs reflect their history and local community. But football shirts are much more than just a symbol of which club we support. A seemingly innocuous combination of colours, sponsor logos and materials can all reflect the social values, financial struggles and political ideologies of the day, as geopolitical issues increasingly seep into every aspect of the game.

Investigative journalist Joey D'Urso has travelled across the globe, combining on-the-ground reporting with unparalleled analysis to collate a list of the twenty-two football shirts that best explain the modern world.? More Than A Shirt?will take fans on a journey from Birmingham to Belgrade and onto Medellin and Mumbai, outlining how we can see the war in Ukraine in the shirt of Schalke in Germany or China's foreign policy in West Bromwich Albion's; how the shirts of state-owned clubs are used for sportswashing; and why the French national kit embodies worldwide migration patterns.

A compelling and eye-opening exploration, More Than A Shirt?is essential reading for any football fan and will change the way you think about the beautiful game's most universal symbol.

By: Joey D'Urso
Imprint: Seven Dials
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 240mm, Width: 156mm,
ISBN: 9781399622806
ISBN 10: 1399622803
Pages: 384
Publication Date: 19 June 2025
Audience: General/trade , College/higher education , Professional and scholarly , ELT Advanced , Primary
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Forthcoming

Joey D'Urso is the senior data journalist for The Times and Sunday Times. He was previously investigations writer for The Athletic, owned by the New York Times, and before that he reported on politics for BBC News. He was nominated for Football Journalist of the Year in 2022 by the Football Supporters Association and has been twice nominated in the sports journalism category at the British Journalism Awards. This is his first book. Twitter: @josephmdurso

Reviews for More Than A Shirt: How Football Shirts Explain Global Politics, Money and Power

A meticulously researched book that reveals plenty about football and even more about the modern world. * Adam Crafton, The Athletic * One of the best books on football I have ever read. * Dame Tracey Crouch, Former Sports Minister and MP * One of the most original and innovative football books in some time, a ""Parts Unknown"" for the game, as well as football business and football culture. Joey's unique writing is perfect for that Bourdain role. You might be familiar with some of the shirts, but some of the stories from the brilliant on-the-ground reporting within will astound you. A book that will both enthral and seriously educate. * Miguel Delaney, The Independent & the Bestselling Author of States of Play: How Sportswashing Took Over Football * A day at the football is usually an escape from politics - but Joey D'Urso's revealing reporting reminds us that it's never quite so simple. This colourful book is a treat for anyone interested in both... or neither. * Patrick Maguire, The Times & the Bestselling co-Author of Get In: The Inside Story of Labour Under Starmer *