The incredible Leicester City side that pulled what arguably has been the most endearing and unsuspected rabbit out of a priceless hat in 2016, might in all probability have been influenced by the fictional exploits of the motely crew that is Steeple Sinderby Wanderers. The factual miracle of Claudio Ranieri’s side has an eerie similarity (excepting the decrepit facilities of the Wanderers and a home turf that is barely above water level) to the fortitude of Alex Slingsby’s side.
This moving laugh riot by J.L.Carr has all the ingredients of a sure shot bestseller. Hilarious protagonists, a heartwarming swarm of humanity to egg on their heroes and a multitude of chaotic settings all make for one captivating roller coaster of a read. The humour is fantastic and the plot is just about perfect – neither overcooked nor underdone. The road to Wembley from the unremarkable village of Fenland is the brainchild of the indefatigably resourceful Professor Kossuth a Hungarian immigrant. Extrapolating his ingenious teaching methods at school to the game of football, Kossuth with the able backing of Mr.Fangfoss, who is the Chairman of virtually everything that could conceivably need chairing at Fenland, manages to mould together a team of diverse characters.
Sporting an attire that is buttercup yellow the, Sinderby Wanderers’ main stars are Monkey Tonks a goal keeper who before the trials has never kicked or grabbed a football in his life, the Shooting Star Swift who once was a rising star for a 1st Division side but who is now leading a reclusive life and Alexander Slinngsby, who has sacrificed a potential career in football to tend to his invalid wife Diana. This team strung up on short notice follows 7 precepts postulated by Kossuth and popularly known as the Kossuth postulates.
How Steeple Sinderby Wanderers proceed to demolish every opponent, obscure and decorated before finally dismantling the much vaunted Glasgow Rangers at the hallowed turf of Wembley takes up a major portion of this endearingly rib tickling book.
