Delaney Lad Up For William Hill Sports Book Of The Year

Miguel with parents Robert & Lourdes at States Of Play launch

here are so many dang writers in this town – including GG’s own stupidly-talented daughter – that it can be hard to keep up with the books being produced.

Then again, Greystones is the self-publishing capital of Ireland.

One book we really should have caught though was Miguel Delaney’s States Of Play, which examines football’s shifting culture and power structures.

It’s one of seven nominated for the 2025 William Hill Sports Book Of The Year Award, with fellow Irish writer David Walsh also in the running for The Escape, co-written with legendary cyclist Pippa York.

But the Walsh lad is from Leitrim. So…

Chief football writer for The Independent in the UK, Delaney’s book has received rave reviews since appearing late last year. And it’s a book that’s not afraid to air football’s increasingly dirty laundry, especially when it comes to sportswashing and the often ugly behaviour in the beautiful game.

Village people…

Having learnt all his writing skills and razor-sharp judgement from St Kevin’s and St David’s, Delaney tells the Guide, “I feel passionately about football – having played for Greystones on D’arcy’s Field for years – and passionate about what it is.

“The book itself was a passion project, and I’m thrilled it’s been received so well. Better writers than me say you have to stand over what you write and I stand over this…”

Bada-BOOM! Miguel actually ended up winning the Football Supporters’ Association’s Football Writer Of The Year instead.

You can find out more about States Of Play here, grab it at The Village Bookshop, and find out more about the man himself over here.