Book reviews

From a Luton dream to a Luton disaster, David Kohler's plan for a new stadium has finally come to an end  John Earls reports

David Kohler was fighting a losing battle for Luton fans’ respect the moment he stopped being chairman and instead called himself chief executive. The latter title meant he could draw a wage we could not afford to pay him. Not that this forgives the moronic way Kohler was persuaded to resign in late February – an unlit petrol bomb and box of matches were posted through his letterbox with an accompanying letter making it clear what would happen “next time” if Kohler did not get out. 

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The Eagles look once again certain to plummet straight back to the ground and reality because of the club's finanical burden. Neil Witherow reports

Just as they were a year ago, Crystal Palace FC are a national laughing stock. At the recent game at Port Vale, the Palace away following came out in highly vocal anger against the club’s owner, Mark Goldberg. This marked the first real sign of concerted unrest among the fans, sparked by the rumours that two of the remaining crowd favourites, Craig Moore and Simon Rodger, were about to depart.

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Rangers goalkeeper Andy Goram – from cult hero to alleged terrorist and extremist. Alex Anderson looks for reason and logic 

For Rangers fans who would like their club to ditch its sectarian image, the second last weekend in February contained an extreme high followed by extreme low. Saturday: a Scottish Catholic helps us annihilate Dundee and the fact is only reported on the back pages, in purely football terms. Sunday: an ex-Ranger cannot face Celtic because of front-page headlines associating him with organised murderers.

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How one man attempted to bring his club down to flames, literally. Andrew Spiers and Ray Gilbert report

Ken Richardson, ex-benefactor (his choice of word) of Doncaster Rovers, was found guilty of conspiracy to commit arson by a unanimous verdict at Sheffield County Court in the last week of January. Judge Peter Baker said Rich­ardson could expect a custodial sentence and he was remanded in custody pending a bail hearing. Sentencing was delayed as his barrister was ill. 

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Cyril the Swan falls for the dark side of the media as AS Thomas reports

I know a young boy who is paralysed from the neck down after a horrific road accident. He currently resides at Swan­sea’s Singleton Hospital and is a Swans fanatic. In fact the local press recently had pictures of him being vis­ited by some of the players and the now-famous mascot, Cyril the Swan. At the time he was pro­­mised by the club that should he want Cyril to come up for his birthday, then it would be arr­anged. 

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