50 People Who Fouled Up Football, by Michael Henderson

Michael Henderson, "Hendo" to those who know him, is a man of strong enthusiasms and equally strong dislikes, which makes him an ideal author for this feisty philippic. He sets out his stall early on, saying: "Society has become coarser in almost every respect," and naming Bobby Moore and John Arlott as two of his all-time heroes.

So it comes as no surprise that Joey Barton – "part-time footballer, full-time oik" – and the radio commentator Alan Green – "Mr Toad in human form" – are on his hitlist. Other candidates are more debatable: Hendo does not mince his words, as it were, when lambasting Freddie Mercury for his hit "We are the Champions": "Camp as a hill of tents, this prancing queen was a bit of a joke, as were Queen themselves." And calling Bill Shankly "a bit of a ninny" is unlikely to inspire a chorus of approval.

But it's all good knockabout stuff, written with wit and verve. Cricket is Hendo's first sporting love; if Constable are planning to continue this series, I for one would pay good money to read him on '50 People Who Cocked Up Cricket'.

Published in hardback by Constable, £12.99