Those people at Hagiology have yet to produce a bad book on our football club, however some of them have had a more limited appeal to those who like statistics, that does not apply to Days Like These.
Duncan Holley was the co author of perhaps the first great book in Saints history, back in 1987 along with Gary Chalk their complete record of Southampton Football Club 1885-87 was perhaps only the second book on the club's history after Peter East's offering 8 years earlier, but it was a lot more comprehensive and set the bar for everything that would follow.
The research that was done by Hagiology Publishing of whom Duncan & Gary would become key members along with David Bull was painstaking and thorough, but it did mean that some of their books were more about reference than being a volume that you could sit down and read, they settled many an argument amongst Saints fans, especially in the pre digital age, but they perhaps lacked a little bit of something completely different.
Indeed Duncan Holley himself said to me.
"During our research for our previous books, many stories came to light that didn't fit in to our previously more conventional books, that gave me the idea for Days like these, something that was a little quirkier"
Therefore by reading this book you can find out which Ex Saint had his coffin guarded by the Hitler Youth, who cut their own finger off to escape from a Second World War POW cam and where Winston Churchill, Charlie Chaplin fit into the Saints story, indeed many S Mary's regulars will claim that Rickie Lambert could walk on water, what they didn't know before this book was that he could walk on hot coals.
From this perspective this is not just a football book, but one that charts social history throughout the club's 132 year history and turns up a plethora of stories about those connected with the club over the years that would make you laugh and grimace in equal measure.
It's bang up to date and contains pictures from last years campaign, so will appeal to those who went on the club's Europa League jaunts last year as well as those that would like to know a little more about the history.
Perhaps one thing levelled at the previous books is that they were a little costly, indeed All The Saints their last offering was a comprehensive book but at £35 was not to everyones pocket, or shopping bag given the size and weight of it.
That however cannot be said of Days Like These, at £9.99 it is the perfect price for those wanting a present for the Saints fan in their life, it's still packed with photo's and information, but at a great price.
I'm biased I love reading about the club's history and as a club and a fanbase we have neglected our rich history for far too long, this is a great book for those who don't read books but love Southampton FC, It is also a great book for those that love books as well, but I don't need to tell anyone who owns one of Hagiologists book that.
The official Launch will be at the club's Megastore in West Quay at 4pm on Thursday afternoon 9th November, Francis Benali and Hugh Fisher will be present to sign copies and perhaps let slip a few more tales from the club's past.