Friday Night Fever: Inside the Cult of Half Man Half Biscuit
Steve Hill writes:
Patrons! Chris kindly asked me to come up with a few words about my forthcoming book, Friday Night Fever: Inside the Cult of Half Man Half Biscuit. My response to that was this…
There are believed to be more than two thousand books about The Beatles. Friday Night Fever is the first about Half Man Half Biscuit – four lads who shook The Wirral if not the wider world. I doubt it will be the last; in fact there are already rumours of a rival tome from one of McCalliog’s hens. Spotter’s Badge for anyone who can identify where I stole the title from (albeit with full permission). As for the subtitle – apparently a legal requirement for search engine optimisation – it’s just a bit of fun, tongue firmly in cheek.
I’m not claiming that fans of the band are actually in a cult, although one could argue that they are the ultimate cult band. So what is the book? What it’s not is a history of the band, although a newcomer could glean the basics, which are revealed organically. I never want to write a book that could essentially be cobbled together from Wikipedia. I sometimes wish I could sit on my arse and write best-selling novels, but I have absolutely no ideas. The only way I know to write books is to do something unusual for an extended period, make some vague notes on my phone, then bash it out when the pain of writing it is outweighed by the pain of having not written it. Woe is me…
Ignoring my strategy guide to Championship Manager 4 and its ostensibly similar sequel, Friday Night Fever will be my third book proper. A few people on here have read my (award-nominated but don’t like to mention it) debut, The Card: Every Match, Every Mile, in which I charted an entire season following non-league Chester FC while living in London – the loneliness of the long distance football fan. Almost nobody has read the follow-up, Wall Of Sport: My Descent into Multiscreen Madness, in which I spent an entire calendar year watching televised sport (although Nigel has read them both and delivered two thumbs up). Friday Night Fever arguably represents the final instalment of the obsession trilogy.
In practical terms, it involves attending 25 consecutive gigs, beginning with the emotional post-pandemic appearance in Holmfirth, then touring the country like a Poundland Bill Bryson, as I become further embedded into this diverse and welcoming community. There is inevitably some overlap with Roger Green’s excellent reviews, albeit with a bit of perspective (“too much fucking perspective”), some flashback scenes, and a few snippets of interviews to hopefully create a coherent whole, naturally littered with lyrical references from Biscuit and beyond. Pretentiously speaking, it’s as much a history book as it is a music book.
Without giving too much away, at its heart it’s a tragedy with few interludes. The pitch to publishers was my Guardian article meets The Card, and mercifully music specialists Route Publishing had the vision to sign it and basically leave me alone until it was done. Apart from the rare honour of writing the first ever Half Man book, it’s an absolute thrill to be on the same label as various members of The Fall and their myriad memoirs.
For those wondering, I mentioned the prospective project to Nigel a few years ago and he said that he would be indifferent, which I took as a green flag. I recently told him it was finished and he wished me good luck. To be honest, he’s got more to worry about with Tranmere’s tenuous hold on league football. Allied to Chester’s improbable late play-off push, it is not beyond the realms of possibility that I hand him and Neil a signed copy at a derby game next season before delivering a haymaker. I’m joking of course.
I feel mildly nauseous at the thought of the band (or indeed anyone) reading it, but if I didn’t write it, then someone else would have. I honestly haven’t looked at the text since I pressed ‘send’ last year, but I think it’s okay, or at least as good as I could have made it. To paraphrase Brian Clough, I’m not saying it’s the best thing I’ve ever written, but it’s definitely in the top one. I just hope I spelt weird right.
✉ Letters Sent (99)
Skip to the most recent comment
(1 day ago by Broadsheet Acceptable)
Cream Cheese and Chives
Great news that Steve is writing a book about the band. His book about following Chester is a tremendous read . This will, I fancy, be even better.Excellent title too.
2 February 2026
warden Hodges
If out by summertime, be fine for a read down by the River Dee or maybe in the middle of the racecourse- non race day of course.
2 February 2026
dr DEsperate
Route Publishing posted on FB last week that pre-ordered copies of ‘Friday Night Fever’ will be sent out in August, so in your diaries write it down.
2 July 2026
dr DEsperate
The Friday Night Fever media blitz continues, with a meeting of the CAT (‘Classic Album Thursday’) Club at the Robin Hood pub in Pontefract the night before the Leeds gig. Billed as ‘An Appreciation of Half Man Half Biscuit’, it features Steve Hill discussing his book.
(I can’t say I’d ever heard of the CAT Club before, but it’s been going for 15 years, with previous guests including, well just about everybody.)
https://thecatclub.co.uk/product/half-man-half-biscuit-an-appreciation-wednesday-12-august-2026-at-7-30pm-doors-7pm/
15 July 2026
Trelford Mills
I’d advise anyone planning to attend the CAT Club shindig to, as Fred Pontin would have it, book early.
Have nabbed a ticket but there were only four remaining last time I looked.
15 July 2026
Chris The Siteowner
More Friday Night Fever chat with Steve in Manchester:
https://louderthanwordsfest.com/whats-on/
18 July 2026
Trelford Mills
Hope ok to post here in full. From CAT Club’s Facethingy page re. Steve’s book talk:
“What a drag . . .
Due to the extremely high temperatures expected this coming Thursday, we have taken into consideration various health and safety issues and re-arranged the CAT Club Half Man Half Biscuit event in The Robin Hood Pontefract’s Pigeon Loft.
This gathering (in association with Route publishing) will now take place the following Thursday 20th August.
Former Fall drummer Paul Hanley will be interviewing Steve Hill, the author of the new book ‘Friday Night Fever: Inside The Cult of Half Man Half Biscuit.’
Inevitably and regrettably, a few of the sold out audience cannot make this new date so there are now a handful of tickets now available.
If you are interested please email us at: contact@thecatclub.co.uk
Happy Trails.”
12 August 2026
BROADSHEET acceptable
Yes @Trelford, a real shame, not least for me as I now have to travel to Yorkshire twice (and endure a further week of low level anxiety). Been informed the rescheduled event has now sold out. Due to sign 800 books on Friday so may be drinking left-handed in Leeds…
12 August 2026
Alan
So my book is on its way. If I was Steve Hill I would be shitting myself. Imagine being ‘reviewed’ by us load of obsessive pedantic cranks!
19 August 2026
Hammers
My husband has just confirmed that the book has been delivered (to East London). Sadly I’m on the other side of the river in Kent staying at my dad’s as he’s in hospital and I need to be nearby for visiting. Looking forward to going home for the weekend to have a butchers. Also need to sort out my fantasy team for Friday.
19 August 2026
Nige nnto
Mine says I will get the book tomorrow, the last scan was in Leeds early this morning. So only 200 miles to go
19 August 2026
dr DEsperate
Mine has moved on from Leeds to Sheffield, and will supposedly be delivered this afternoon – hopefully before I set off for Pontefract, from where it was originally posted two days ago.
Only ten hours from Tulsi (Indian Restaurant on Ropergate) now.
20 August 2026
nige nnto
Postie’s been. Might need a magnifying glass for the text in the book :-)
20 August 2026
Nigel, no that one (nx3to)
@nige nnto
Snap!
Sorry about the near clash of usernames
20 August 2026
Sylvian's Whippet
Just got a notification that mine was delivered to work… about ten minutes after I left for the day. Curses! Still, wasn’t expecting it until September so I’m pleased it’s arrived.
20 August 2026
dr DEsperate
It’s arrove! (Signed “Your showbiz pal”, as requested.)
20 August 2026
Floreat ultonia
All best stories begin in a kebab shop in Holmfirth
20 August 2026
Chris The Siteowner
AVUNCULAR definition: “Friendly, kind, or helpful, like the expected behaviour of an uncle”. OK, I admit to skimming through to see if I got a mention. I’ll take that.
20 August 2026
dr DEsperate
(After Hamlet’s uncle poisons his father in the dumbshow from Tom Stoppard’s Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead)
ROS: Who was that?
PLAYER: The King’s brother and uncle to the Prince.
GUIL: Not exactly fraternal.
PLAYER: Not exactly avuncular, as time goes on.
20 August 2026
EXXO
Does your uncle lack avuncularity?
Or are his nephews perhaps all twats?
Is what they all ask round my brothers’ ways.
20 August 2026
Cream Cheese and Chives
My copy has arrived. I wonder whether Steve is pacing up and down , scanning the review sections of the broadsheet press and awaiting invitations to appear on daytime television. I know it won’t happen, but wouldn’t it be funny if we all thought it was shite!
Looking forward to it enormously.
20 August 2026
dr DEsperate
Excellent re-scheduled sesh at the CAT Club (see post 4 above) last night in the packed top floor Pigeon Loft of the Robin Hood pub in Pontefract, with Steve Hill being interviewed by that Paul Hanley off The Fall (q v). It was still stiflingly hot, despite being 10 degrees cooler than last Thursday, so the decision to postpone was prudent.
Roger and Karen were in attendance, as well as Trelford Mills (and possibly others) from this site.
Ian Daley from Route Publishing filmed the whole thing, so it should be possible to link to his footage at some point.
21 August 2026
Alan
I spotted the The Day Today quote – do I win a prize to go with my never delivered Golden Biscuit?
21 August 2026
Sloppy
Mine reached the Oblong yesterday then somehow went missing on the three mile stretch from New Ferry.
No spoilers please
21 August 2026
Alan
Think of this less as a spoiler but more as health advice: Don’t follow Mr Hill’s diet..
21 August 2026
Trelford Mills
Echoing Dr D’s words on the Pontefract shindig. A highly entertaining evening in a very pleasant, snug location (capacity = 40).
Great to meet the venerable Doc, resplendent as ever, and Steve, and to pick up a copy of the book, which he kindly signed.
To note, Paul Hanley is a surprisingly tall man. This is something I was not previously aware of.
21 August 2026
Frank Cooper
Two delivered to me yesterday and one copy now winging its way to Australia.
I’m waiting for the other copy to reach its destination so the recipient and I can read it ‘together’ so I’ve only skimmed through so far but but was amazed to find I have a cameo appearance as ‘middle aged (I’ll take that as a compliment) man walking to Piccadilly Station’ on page 37
21 August 2026
Tinhead
I bought 3 of the “International act…” lighters for me and a couple of mates. One of them still has it in full working order.
21 August 2026
dr DEsperate
I dangerously showed that my own gas lighter is still in full working order at Thursday’s event. Steve pointed out that the original run had ‘Even Men With Steel Hearts…’ printed on the back, which mine hasn’t, so is either from a later iteration, or jarg.
22 August 2026
Trelford Mills
Write up of Thursdays CAT club book talk, with photos.
With a nod to Mr Hanley – what really went on there, we only have this excerpt:
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1EY7YUiasY/
23 August 2026
FEATURELESS TV PRODUCER STEVE
£20.00 for the book, £19.99 for shipping. Ah well, at least it wasn’t MORE than what the book cost.
Can someone let us badge-less losers know where the title comes from?
24 August 2026
dr DEsperate
A Tranmere Rovers fanzine.
https://images.ctfassets.net/pz711f8blqyy/6kJRVsQ4C3qODhJNM2u2Or/1c5b23c728a99d0bb50b6ab6beb3b41d/Scan_7.jpeg
24 August 2026
EXXO
Though obviously aware of the old Rovers fanzine, I wondered if it was also a nod to ‘Fever Pitch,’ in many ways the book that launched 10,000 fandom books.
24 August 2026
BROADSHEET acceptable
It wasn’t consciously a nod to Fever Pitch, although I may start claiming it retrospectively. The genesis of the title appears on p.63 as something of a reveal. It was too late for inclusion but I recently met FNF editor Nigel Adderley (now of talkSPORT) at a barbecue. He told me that as a teenage fanzine editor he was summoned by Tranmere chairman Peter Johnson to explain himself. A story about the fanzine then appeared in the programme with the headline The Serpent In Our Midst. Harsh times…
24 August 2026
EXXO
Good man is Nigel A, man of principles (he’s got to work for someone). Great to see he started as he meant to go on, in that fine tradition of local or national journos threatened with retribution by the clubs they report on.
Though this particular “I was a teenage Swindon fanzine editor” article admits it was sometimes a fair cop:
https://thewashbag.com/2014/11/10/confessions-of-a-teenage-fanzine-editor/
Your retrospective reference claim reminds me of Nigel Adderley asking the co-commentator whether the scorer (from a wide angle) “meant it” and the typical ex-pro’s response – “just look at the way he celebrates, there’s no way he meant that. But he’ll claim he did of course …” :-)
24 August 2026
FeATURELESS TV PRODUCER STEVE
Thanks, Dr D. Can’t imagine how that eluded me.
24 August 2026
Nige nnto
Right, that’s book one finished. When is the sequel being published?
25 August 2026
Alan
The standout star is Tony (H-T)
25 August 2026
Wobs
Turned to the hull gig, to find you guys stayed in a motel with reputation as a knocking shop. I confirmed this some years ago, when I went past it when some dodgy looking woman was loudly knocking on one of the doors. That’s what that means doesn’t it?
25 August 2026
dr DEsperate
We swerved the knocking shop that night and stayed at the Ibis on Osborne St, famously the locus delicti (as they say in Hull) of a murder in 2015. Locals call it “the stabbing hotel”, to differentiate it from other homicide loci.
25 August 2026
Old tige
RE: “your showbiz pal”
In my quest to be a Steve Hill completist, ebay helped me acquire The Card and Wall of Sport. I very much enjoyed reading the former. The latter is signed “To NIGEL Yours IN Sport”.
Anyone on here want to confess to binning it?
Eagerly awaiting my signed copy of FNFITCOHMHB. It has made it to Illinois, waiting for the carthorses to wend it down to Texas.
26 August 2026
dr DEsperate
@Alan
You’re right about the standout star of the book (post 38 above).
“Postman” Tony.
26 August 2026
EDDIE THORNTON
Yet this is a tale that those of us who Tony has told it to, over the years, in confidence, have been careful not to mention on the interwebs, for obvious reasons. Hope H-T is fine with this, as I know that not everyone whose confidences have been repeated in the book without permission is.
26 August 2026
BROADSHEET acceptable
@Old Tige
Glad to hear you enjoyed The Card. Wall Of Sport is a more acquired taste, although I absolutely stand by it in both concept and delivery. Interestingly, the only copy I can recall signing was hand delivered to the singer of a rock band at Shrewsbury Buttermarket (see FNF p.27). Did you perchance purchase it from the Wirral Peninsula?
@Doc
Nobody is overtly referred to as a football hooligan, and anyway it was meant to be tongue-in-cheek to provide some contrast. I myself have committed a string of football offences so am in no position to preach.
@Eddie
I don’t think there will be any recriminations for a near 50 year old simian scam. It was simply too good a story to ignore. Elsewhere, I agonised (for years) over what to include but ultimately my remit was to express our love for the band in as entertaining a way as possible. Hopefully I achieved that. To be honest, if anyone has been stitched up it’s me, following the horrific events of chapter 14.
Peace and love.
26 August 2026
EDDIE THORNTON
Ah Ok, entertainment trumps basic journalistic ethics then. Let’s all sell our private email correspondence …
26 August 2026
D LIST PAUL ROSS
It’s like Kitty Kelley all over again.
26 August 2026
Old tige
@Broadsheet You mean I might earn an inevitable asterisk in the 2nd edition by stumbling upon a copy that the bard himself dropped off at Oxfam?
The only *bay seller that had it in the US was an atrocious outfit called worldofbooksusa, rightly reviled by the great minds on reddit. They apply their own demented dynamic pricing algorithm to millions (literally) of books. First time I saw it they had The Card priced at $216 (don’t remember the exact price, may have been more). I offered $19, to which they replied that they don’t accept offers because their algorithm knows best, but “If you watch the item, I believe it may be re-priced to a more reasonable amount”. Eventually snagged it for $14.24.
26 August 2026
Old tige
PS What a time to be alive.
26 August 2026
Alan
D LIST PAUL ROSS – magnificent ref.
“professional sensationalist” and the “consummate gossip monger”
26 August 2026
Hendrix-tattoo
@Eddie, I’m fine with it, Mate.
Like Steve said it happened half a century ago. I am very intrigued to read more because I’ve only got as far as chapter 13…
26 August 2026
dr DEsperate
@Old Tige
The price of pre-2022 printed books, including those from the UK-based World of Books, was artificially boosted by the AI company Anthropic’s secretive ‘Project Panama‘, which involved “destructively scanning” millions of titles to train their large language model chatbot Claude. They were sued by a group of authors in federal court and last month settled the case for $1.5 billion.
27 August 2026
dr DEsperate
(Anthropic is currently projecting Claude’s 2028 revenue to be $190-200 billion. What a time, as you say, to be alive.)
27 August 2026
Irish Niall
It’s waiting for me at home according to AnPost!
27 August 2026 10:45
Your item has been delivered
27 August 2026 06:46
Your item is out for delivery
26 August 2026 17:48
We have your item and will process it for delivery
26 August 2026 17:46
We have received your item
25 August 2026 13:43
We have received information about your incoming item from the sender
27 August 2026
D LIST PAUL ROSS
I’ve reached page 8 (I’ve been away, I’m not a slow reader) and I’m 99% sure (OK 85%) I’ve heard “Tour Jacket” attempted live, although possibly abandoned – anyone?
27 August 2026
Dickie davies
Purchase duly made. I would have bought 10 KitKats and a motoring atlas as well if possible.
28 August 2026
GORDON BURNS
“I dream of occasional fanzine mentions”
Don’t we all. :)
30 August 2026
D LIST PAUL ROSS
Re Tour Jacket – I should have waited for page 60 and the inevitable asterisk.
31 August 2026
dr DEsperate
As promised in post 22 above, here’s Ian Daley of Route’s recording of the CAT Club discussion of the book (among other things), with Paul Hanley interviewing Steve Hill and audience Q&A from [42.50] and [54.00].
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zI45zju-zI8
3 September 2026
parsfan
I enjoyed that. Thanks chaps.
Further to the ensuing quiet happiness in Mileage Chart. In a Kershaw session, I think during the Manchester Commie Games, Nigel said “the secret to quiet happiness is limited aspirations” (from memory so maybe not quite exact). So another of his that eventually found its way into song.
While I’m here, I had one of those Black Sabbath moments yesterday with Veronica Falls.
3 September 2026
HMHB addict
> I had one of those Black Sabbath moments yesterday with Veronica Falls.
The mind not only boggles, it stands agog…
4 September 2026
Demibisquee
Fun chat vid, thanks to all who contributed. I completed some sudokus while listening, in order to “fill every waking minute with 60 seconds worth of distance run”. I am actually very keen on the quiet life, but a bit jumpy due to a very go-getting parent.
Also, I’m rereading something in which the narrator gets a lot of pleasure out of perusing train timetables, much preferring that to actually leaving the house, which he finds very trying. Plus ça change and all that.
4 September 2026
dr DEsperate
Good luck in the All-England Summarize Proust Competition, @DB (unless of course you’re rereading Kafka or Camus, who have characters whose fathers have similar interests).
4 September 2026
BROADSHEET acceptable
As if things couldn’t get any stranger, a bloke in Scotland has recorded an album based on the book.
https://halfbamhalfwhisky.bandcamp.com/album/2-chevrons-apart
4 September 2026
Chris The Siteowner
That is… er… interesting. He’s been producing HMHB-related music for years, and indeed has been mentioned briefly in on this site before.
4 September 2026
Demibisquee
@DrD I think the French prof nailed it; “Marcel becomes a writer”, adding “eventually” after 10 years reflection. But the All England title still to play for eh?
4 September 2026
Phyllis Triggs
Delighted to find that not only have I been immortalised in print I am now immortalised in song aswell! Pity the fans of other bands, they know not what they’re missing…
4 September 2026
EXXO
Thanks for the link CtSO. So many gems of delight, that will reward repeated listening.
I woke up with ‘By the Time I Get to Phoenix’ stuck in my head, ‘cos of his song about the Queen not waving (‘Braemar,’ off of his ‘Dirty Wee Country Album’).
Some misses, but way more hits. Great stuff.
5 September 2026
dr DEsperate
Delightful, @PT!
(Some other fans also get a mention, I note.)
5 September 2026
Chemtrailbrian
I walked past Vulcan Studios after the match yesterday didn’t realise it was still going. Couldn’t stop to take a picture I was too busy trying to blend in with the home supporters whilst keeping the air of I’m on my own not looking for trouble kind of walk.
7 September 2026
Floreat ultonia
My playlist of current favourites, one per album, with outings in FNF
Bob Todd 9
Dickie Davies 4
Harry Quinn 7
Inertia 4
Wraith 1
Monmore 1
Practice 0
9 September 2026
Floreat ultonia
No tunes 10
Vagaries 0
Gloves 25
Totnes 1
Leeuwarden 3
Constance 3
Futsal 1
Sean 17
9 September 2026
Floreat ultonia
Watching Saturday Kitchen on BBC I wondered what links Rick Stein to JDOG?
13 September 2026
MULDOON LIVES!
High price and poor quality for what you get?
13 September 2026
Ghost of kirkus
I would imagine he’s a dab hand at piccalilli, at least.
Great to hear of FNF (and disappointed not to have spotted the first round of releases – I’m going to have to try and get it signed later down the track…). Very much enjoyed the Cat Club discussions. As a long distance fan with a grand total of one gig, it’s good to live through the vicarious thrills of others.
In sad news form NZ, Phil and Si’s Matinee Idle program has finished and so there’s been a steep decrease in HMHB songs played on National Radio (the kiwi equivalent of Radio 4). But I did giggle at the mention on the Cat Club that the only way to hear of HMHB was through John Peel: Phil and Si will be delighted to have taken on the mantle on the other side of the world.
14 September 2026
Floreat ultonia
Re 72 clued in 71 above.
Link is ever presence.RS in SK for 20 years JDOG in FNF for 25 gigs
14 September 2026
EXXO
It might interest you, GoK, that we discussed Matinee Idle & their support of HMHB in the media thread last April (comments 727-731), where it was noted that the last HMHB song they ever played was Goodbye Sam, Hello Samantha, in an entirely Sam-themed show. A truly sad loss for NZ and you have my deepest sympathies.
14 September 2026
Ghost of kirkus
Thanks for that – yep completely missed that discussion! Matinee Idle was a work of genius at times – often mixing up some truly terrible music with fabulous esoterica, and a love of spoken word tracks and comedy (it was the first place I heard Bulbous Bouffant by the Vestibules, for instance). They would play Sour Cream and Other Delights by the Frivolous Five immediately before Burton Cummings (who was a standing joke on the program). The themes were often arbitrary and weird and subject to being completely ignored. The Leningrad Cowboys with the Red Army Choir belting out Happy Together as I drove across the Central Otago interior one summer afternoon lives long in my memory. Anyone wishing to peruse a rabbit hole or two can find more at https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/matineeidle
I don’t know if Phil is still doing HMHB on his requests slot in the later evening but I guess there is only one way to find out….
15 September 2026
Tranmere Trust
The book is now also available via the Tranmere Rovers Trust, a non-profit community benefit society
https://www.tranmereroverstrust.co.uk/products/friday-night-fever
17 September 2026
eric t'viking
Having received my copy of Friday Night Fever wrapped in glittery paper as a delayed birthday present (after being given a subtle hint to not order one for myself), initial curiosity meant it got an initial flick through, and a dive in here and there, but with a break from work approaching I decided to wait until last week to give it a proper read from cover to cover.
Of the 25 HMHB gigs of which Steve attended without missing any in the sequence, I reckon I was at 7 (the 2 Holmfirth bookends, Shrewsbury, Durham, Blackpool, Edinburgh, and Newcastle). Overall, I enjoyed the book, it was interesting and entertaining, with various tangents and anecdotes I was unaware of, and it was a reminder of how covid changed our world – the Shrewsbury chapter particularly ringing a bell for me, as it was shortly after that when I went down with the lurgy (although I blame the practice of the local authority department I work in, who go for their annual pre-Xmas breakfast get-together at the local ‘spoons…). I suspect anyone who visits this site would find much to enjoy in the book, and I do recommend it, although with some doubts as to whether it would hold much appeal to anyone not already well into the band.
The reason for this is also what I find to be the shortcoming of Steve’s endeavour, and where I think he misses a trick – if his quest had been sponsored, and thus a heroic act potentially raising money for a good cause (blind dogs for the guides, or similar), and which would only be realised if he was successful, then there would have been at least some tension or element of jeopardy to what he was doing. Without it, I found at no point did I actually care whether he succeeded or not. And whilst we all like to moan about transport in this country, it’s not really that much of a challenge to get from one city to another for a gig (it’s not like we have barren deserts or bear-infested woods to traverse).
I also quickly tired of the repetition of sourcing lager, kebabs and chips (Steve – have a salad once in a while, for chrissakes) which is surely at the expense of more introductions to the characters who make up ‘the cult’. A bit of CtSO, Dr Dangerous, Roger Green, but what about the others – what are their backgrounds, why do they travel across the country, is there a Venn diagram of common interests, are they all balding, middle-aged white males who leave their other halves at home? And what do the other halves think of that? This book hints at addressing these questions, but instead flits to a showbiz anecdote, then wanders off to find another lager. One character in particular it’s a bit of a surprise to find hardly any mention of is Exxo, who if not the heartbeat, is certainly the intellectual core of the ‘hardcore’. Making him just a peripheral character seems rather like trying to discuss the Carry On films without mentioning Kenneth Williams…
Perhaps that’s all to come in the sequel(?). Whatever, I do recommend it, well done to Steve, and many thanks to the person who gave it to me as a present.
20 September 2026
EXXO
Hehe, not sure about my hardcore credentials there but I do tend to save meself for the molten core of the mosh by arriving in the venue 5 mins before the HMHB opener and nearly always leaving for the last train (genuine jeopardy there, especially after the Notts gig which involved a brisk jog between the two Newark stations). Thus it would have been tough to corner me for an interview at any of the 15 out of those 25 I attended (all of those that where within my transport & Covid capabilities).
The one time I did meet Steve before a gig it was to introduce him to Italian fan Lorenzo at Cambridge, so hope he featured in the book.
So I’m amazed to hear I got a mention at all (especially since I seem to remember giving Steve’s 2022 Guardian article a bad review on here – I didn’t realise then he himself was then going to prove his hardcore credentials over the years…).
20 September 2026
Chris The Siteowner
Steve is at the Louder Than Words Festival, which takes place from Friday 13 to Sunday 15 November 2026 in Manchester, fittingly on the Friday night.
21 September 2026
BROADSHEET acceptable
Thanks, Chris. Not sure if it’s been mentioned but there’s also an event in London on November 1st.
21 September 2026
K-N-O B-H-E-A-D
FAO The Scribe
I’m enjoying so many shared experiences in this excellent book, from buying Steve Diggle a Guinness to standing behind the birthday boy at Shrewsbury and of course drinking many times pre and post match in the same Digbeth pubs.
I’m no expert on the band so I’m learning a lot and I love your love of triv not just HM triv but miscellaneous triv including my favourite – football triv.
Given this I was compelled to put finger to screen to pose one for ya
Ref p.101, line 33
I am also old enough but also old enough to have seen Birmingham play Chester away at 3 different venues (which obviously you’ll be aware of)
This took me down the rabbit hole of whether I’d seen Blues play any other teams away at 3 different venues.
The answer is yes. 3 other teams as well as Chester.
If at some point you feel bored to the point of suicidal take a shot at who the other teams are.
Clue – The earliest fixture was 1979
Pre and post internet search answers are acceptable
Answer me that and you could win some booze (Oxford gig)
Yours 738/850
24 September 2026
BROADSHEET acceptable
Thanks, K-N-etc.
Without cheating, I’m guessing Coventry at Highfield Road, the current one, and when they groundshared at Northampton.
Maybe Brighton – I’ve seen Chester at The Goldstone, Gillingham and the Withdean.
Then I’m guessing Wimbledon based on the number of grounds they’ve shared.
Do I win a prize?
24 September 2026
EXXO
Good shouts. Bristol Rovers’ temporary move to Twerton Park also sprang to mind, as I remember in a quiz Tranmere have played them at four different grounds (inc. Wembley) in our lifetime.
24 September 2026
BROADSHEET acceptable
Ah yes, saw Chester at Twerton pre-satnav, having inadvertently gone to the rugby ground first.
Incidentally, I met a Tranmere fan called Andy at The Bunnymen this week. He recounted a tale of four Rovers being chased through a subway in Peterborough in about ‘88, the other three being his mate Micky Pemberton plus Messrs Blackwell and Crossley. Made the station, whereby NB noted “Phew, that was close” or similar. True story.
24 September 2026
dic aberdaron
rare sighting of the b/head lunatic fringe
24 September 2026
K-N-O B-H-E-A-D
Some great efforts there and the hardest one of the four slotted into the back of the net albeit for slightly different reasons.
That hardest one being Cov but not the Highfield/Ricoh/Northampton combo. It was the Highfield/Ricoh/St Andrews combo. Yes we played Cov away ‘at home’ twice in 2020 due to a ground share arrangement at the time. Two very entertaining 0-0 draws. Cue the very witty chant from Blues fans at St Andrews in the away end to Cov fans in the home end ‘who’s the wan*er in my seat’. Well done BA.
Bristol Rovers next hardest. Great volley from Exxo. Eastville/Twerton Park/Memorial Stadium
Lastly Charlton – The Valley/Selhurst Park/Upton Park. The Upton Park game ending in utter humiliation not for Blues but for me as after calling on loan DVB goalie Leslie Jesse Sealey a DVB he turned round and replied to all my mates delight ‘shut it you wan*er’. They still go on about that today as you do.
Prizes in form of an alcoholic beverage at the Oxford gig (Cardiff away next day)
25 September 2026
CHeMTRAilbrian
Man United have played home games at Goodison Park, Anfield, Maine Road, Victoria Ground and Home Park also a true story!
25 September 2026
dr DEsperate
You may recall that Burscough FC arranged a temporary ground share with Skem Utd in 2011, as the owners intended to demolish their home ground and build a new stadium*.
Following a fan backlash they moved back the following year, but the plan eventually went through in 2021, and they now play at the Community Stadium on Bobby Langton Way, named for the former PNE winger.
*I posted at the time “What’s Victoria Park if you can’t see The Linnets?” – no response.
25 September 2026
BROADSHEET acceptable
I see Burscough beat Cammel Laird 1-0 with a goal by Callum Laird.
27 September 2026
dr DEsperate
Now that’s what I call a response!
27 September 2026
Persian rug vendor
@Broadsheet Acceptable #82 Thanks for that, booked my ticket and a signed book today.
28 September 2026
Exxo
Re Callum Laird – brilliant moment, ta for sharing. I guess he was a fitter (urgh) man than the defenders, and just launched (!) one. It would have been too much to expect him to have been a “sub”, I guess. Or for an assist by a Steel, an Ironside or a Wright.
(Or to be the same Callum Laird who has played for both Bridgwater Town and Yate, or the same Callum Laird who earlier this year survived a 1,500-foot fall on Goatfell).
29 September 2026
Ghost of kirkus
FNF arrived today and I am driving the long suffering Mrs Kirkus to distraction with quotes and giggles. Thanks Broadsheet Acceptable; and yes I was shallow enough to go straight to the bit I appear in. I have now told both the other people in NZ who understand the significance of this – one of whom, magnificently, replied “Just imagine if it was a different Ben from New Zealand?”. The git.
7 October 2026
Ghost of Kirkus
More to the point though, hugely enjoyable and a treat to read. Thanks again Steve.
7 October 2026
BROADSHEET acceptable
Thanks Ben, much appreciated. Hope it was worth the postage.
First review has, in modern parlance, dropped…
7 October 2026
ALEX
I did enjoy this book. Definitely a good read for someone who shares our obsession, more than for those who aren’t arsed either way. Been cursing myself since the Frome gig for not being attendance thus depriving myself of a similar post-lockdown full house.
I do have one complaint though: Must you beg for ‘Gezzies’ all the time? I once accepted a pair of freebies many years ago as the gig was on my birthday and it was the furthest I’d travelled to see the band at that time. An offer to be put on the list for further gigs (thanks to my wife not me, to be honest) was hugely appreciated but is one we have never dreamed of taking up. I would only hope to do so if I’m in a coma when the gig is announced and all tickets are sold. £30 or so for a guaranteed great night out? Just pay it for God’s sake.
9 October 2026
BROADSHEET acceptable
Thanks for the faint praise. You’ll be pleased to know I’ve preempted your grievance and have been buying tickets for the last couple of years (which could have gone to someone else had I ponced a gezzy).
By the way, I was once sent a free CD so sorry about that.
10 October 2026