Noted novelist and columnist Brian Glanville, described by many as the greatest football writer of all time, passed away on Friday at the age of 93.
He had a lengthy career in writing, starting at the age of 19 with a biography of his idol Cliff Bastin.
Glanville worked as a football correspondent for over three decades for The Sunday Times. He also wrote columns for Sportstar (previously called Sport and Pastime) and World Soccer during that period.
In the 1960s and 1970s, he was a member of the jury which decides the yearly Ballon d’Or. Glanville, a lifelong Arsenal fan, was known for taking a critical view of the beautiful game.
The Times described him as ‘the doyen of football writers—arguably the finest football writer of his—or any other—generation’, while American journalist Paul Zimmerman called him ‘the greatest football writer of all time’.
RELATED: Complete works of Brian Glanville for Sportstar here
As a novelist, he wrote mostly about football and life in Italy, with his 1956 novel Along the Arno receiving appreciation from critics.
Another of his noted works is The Story of the World Cup, which details the journey of the grand quadrennial tournament.
“The SJA sends its deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Brian Glanville, the “doyen of football writers” whose many books – including the essential ‘The Story of the World Cup’ – continue to bring so much insight, knowledge and joy to fans everywhere. RIP Brian,” Sports Journalists’ Association said, reacting to the demise of the writer.
Content Source: sportstar.thehindu.com