Jimmy Burns, author of the acclaimed biography of Diego Maradona, Hand of God, turns his attention
to the sporting institution that is Barcelona FC. His book, published in 1999, is a fine account
of the history of this great club. It is, in fact, more than a club. Barcelona has a huge political
and historical significance in the story of modern Catalonia and its relationship with Spain as a
whole. Founded in 1899 by the inevitable group of English expats and Swiss businessman Joan Gamper,
the club rapidly became a focal point for the Catalans who embraced the game in the early part of
the 20th century.
Burns chronicles the players, great and not so great, the managers and crucially, the politicians,
bureaucrats and business interests who have so influenced its development. Barca is a political
entity in a way no British football club has ever been and probably could ever be. The Spanish
Civil War from 1935-1939 and its implications on the club are laid out in fascinating detail.
When the Madrid based nationalists defeated the Republicans, of which Barcelona was a stronghold,
it created for arguably football's most enduring enmity - El Gran Classico, Barcelona versus
Real Madrid.
After the war the capital's dominance in football matters was largely judged to be down to the
influence exerted by General Franco's dictatorship by most Catalans. Perhaps the best example of
this was the role played by the state in the transfer of Alfredo di Stefano who was about to sign
for Barcelona before governmental pressure led to the player signing for Madrid. Coupled with
Franco's desire to wipe all signs of Catalan expression, Barcelona became a focal point for
Catalonia and its people to maintain their identity in the face of oppression.
The story also comes alive when discussing the 1970s. In 1975 Franco died and was succeeded by
democratic government, thus enabling the club and the region to thrown off its historical
shackles. This process was clearly helped by a Dutchman and honorary Catalonian, Johann Cruyff.
Burns goes into some detail about this key figure who had such influence as both a player and
later as a manager. In between the Cruyff eras there is a focus on the modern British influences
at the club. Particularly revealing are the interviews with Steve Archibald who talks in some
detail about the pressures of replacing Maradona and dressing struggles with the likes of Bernd
Schuster. Venables and Lineker also make telling contributions. The misfortunes of Diego
Maradona's spell at the club and the rise of the team under Cruyff which culminated in the 1992
European Cup triumph are also compelling.
This book is a major achievement. There are many angles from which to approach it and Burns gets
the balance right in terms of the footballing, political and historical spheres. He also has good
contacts. For those whose primary interest is the football, there is plenty to enjoy from a club
that has been the home of so many major figures down the years, and one which is so shaped by the
incredible, unique rivalry it has with Real Madrid. But as Barcelona is more than football club,
this is more than a football book and all the more readable and intelligent for it.
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