Playing for Uncle Sam is David Tossell's story of the British players in the North American Soccer League. The League which attracted the attention of football fans from all over the world in the 1970s.

The Brits played a major role in the establishment, maintenance and eventual demise of the league. 

Tossell explains how Welshman, Phil Woosnam went about establishing the league and how in the first two seasons clubs from around the world were brought in during their off-seasons to pose as American teams. For instance Wolverhampton Wanderers became the Los Angeles Wolves, while Stoke City posed as the Cleveland Stokers. 

This book takes you in to the realm of over time, trades, bonus points, astroturf, indoor stadiums and all star teams.  The way they Americanised the sport to get the public interested is both amusing and intriguing, particularly the introduction of an offside line midway inside each half, which some people are calling for today.

What makes the book interesting is that you have the likes of Pele, Beckenbaur, Best and Marsh  playing alongside unknowns from the English game who have plied their trade in the lower divisions. The book spends as much time focusing on the big names as it does on the lesser known players.

Tossell conducted approximately 60 interviews to put the book together.  These personal accounts help bring the book and the league back to life.  

There are a few names Walsall fans might notice like Ray Graydon who had a spell with the Washington Diplomats in 1978.  

This is an intriguing look at the football phenomena that was the NASL. Anyone who is a fan of world football will take something from this book. 

What they say....

Daily Mirror - Enthrallingly told. Exhaustive and amusing

Soccer365 -A riveting and often hilarious book. A wonderful journey into nostalgia

Available from...

Borders - The Bull Ring, Birmingham

Amazon - Priced at just £6.99