Whatever will be, will be: A Matter of Life and Football

A footballing road trip through the 2024/25 FA Cup season with bestselling author Felix White, travelling across the vast and varied landscape of English football - from Leamington to Liverpool, from Maidenhead United to Manchester City. Each chapter chronicles a new match as Felix faithfully follows the winning team to the next round, carrying him across the country through the changing seasons and the breadth of England, until the pinnacle of the FA Cup final. From the stricken, chaotic local pitches to the game's extremely lucrative, globally renowned elite, Felix delves into the enduring myths and elusive magic of the game, while confronting its deeper imbalances. From the burger stalls to the stands, to the dug-out, the changing rooms, and even the referee's office, this book opens up the psyche of a nation that has more football teams than any other - where each one is a source of pride, despair and obsession. Through intimate conversations with fans, players, and staff, and poetic reflections, Felix uncovers the chaos, beauty, and raw passion that define the sport, offering an unprecedented and exhaustive view of modern English football.