texismith

What’s it all about then?

So, you’ve stumbled upon these Unashamed Football Novels. The question has been asked though – why should I invest the time to read them? First things first, if you love football, if you play yourself, or if you are in a family that plays or loves the game, you will definitely find this series entertaining.Continue reading “What’s it all about then?”

Howay the Toon!

Anyone who knows me will be aware of my fanatical support for the Toon. It’s no surprise really – growing up in Morpeth, just north of Newcastle, you don’t really get much of a choice in the matter. A first visit to St James, Pat Heard’s debut in a 1-1 draw when Chris Waddle scored,Continue reading “Howay the Toon!”

Finally, a voice recording

After two, no make it three, failed attempts to make it onto the airwaves over the last year, I can now say that my voice is now recorded and available for public consumption. So what, you may say. The first attempt was at the Football Writers Festival in March 2019. The sessions were all beingContinue reading “Finally, a voice recording”

Play on …

When Fair Play Publishing floated the idea of an online football magazine to get us through the lockdown phase of the Covid-19 pandemic, I was straight on to it. The theme for Edition 1 was ‘old soccer and new football’, and the contributors could decide how they interpreted that theme. The resulting piece compares theContinue reading “Play on …”

The Boy on the Shed

I don’t know what possessed me to get this book. I found it online by chance. The title of the book doesn’t exactly give it away, but seeing the familiar name of Paul Ferris, a player around in the time when I was starting to go to St James Park regularly, it was an obviousContinue reading “The Boy on the Shed”

That was 2019…

A few moments as we approach the end of 2019 to reflect on what has been a debut year for Texi Smith, Jarrod Black and the Unashamed Football Novels from Fair Play Publishing. It was Saturday 23rd March when the world, and indeed myself, got the opportunity to touch and feel an Unashamed Football NovelContinue reading “That was 2019…”

My best read in years

On Monday I was compelled to contribute on Goodreads after finishing Whatever It Takes by Bonita Mersiades : “This book had me absolutely riveted. It is much more recent and relevant than I expected. The first half takes the reader on a journey through the crazy world of the FIFA World Cup bidding process fromContinue reading “My best read in years”

Book reviews are here

Our friends at Football Book Reviews have read and reviewed Introducing Jarrod Black here : http://footballbookreviews.com/reviews/book-review-introducing-jarrod-black-an-unashamed-football-novel-by-texi-smith. You can leave a comment at the end of the review – if you have something to say about the book and your place of purchase is not equipped with a review section, use this forum. A positive bookContinue reading “Book reviews are here”

New title coming …

The latest Unashamed Football Novel has been submitted to Fair Play Publishing. Stand by for news of this new title, when (or if!) it will be released and what the story has in store for Australia’s favourite export. More news coming soon!

Introducing Texi Smith

Here he is, author of the Jarrod Black series… It all began with a magazine idea back at school. This was pre-internet. The idea was for a Newcastle United fanzine called “We’re Away To…” which would have twenty plus editions a season, one for every away game. So, that never got going, although I’m sureContinue reading “Introducing Texi Smith”