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Heading for Trouble

The Art and Risks of Football’s Iconic Skill

Heading for Trouble cover

Heading for Trouble

The Art and Risks of Football’s Iconic Skill

Quantity
Pre-order. Available 24 Sep 2026
$30.09

Payment for this pre-order will be taken when the item becomes available

Description

Headers are thrilling. But football, like many sports, is facing a concussion crisis. Is heading worth it?

AVAILABLE TO PRE-ORDER NOW

Heading the ball is considered as much a part of football as passing, tackling and shooting. Pelé, Cristiano Ronaldo, Robin Van Persie – all have executed memorable headers. But the impact can cause lasting damage. Heading for Trouble is an essential exposé on this dynamic yet increasingly controversial skill.

The human brain is a jelly, floating in a protective fluid, and there is clear scientific evidence that even minor impacts, such as heading, can lead to a neurodegenerative brain disease. Through new research and exclusive interviews with former players and neurological experts, Dr Kevin Moore, consultant researcher and founding director of the National Football Museum, explores the fascinating history of heading in football and the dangerous, frequently tragic consequences it can cause. He highlights the football establishment's inaction and exposes what may be the game's greatest ever scandal.

Heading for Trouble brilliantly brings this urgent issue into sharp focus and explores how football and heading can move forward without such tragic cost to its players.

Table of Contents

Prologue
1. Introduction: the book I did not want to write
2. Heading in the game since 1863
3. Impact on the players
4. The science develops
5. The science: heading worse for women players
6. Football reacts: the English game
7. Football reacts: FIFA and the global game
8. Football without heading – a better game?
Epilogue

Product details

Published 24 Sep 2026
Format Ebook (PDF)
Edition 1st
Extent 240
ISBN 9781399428217
Imprint Bloomsbury Sport
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing

About the contributors

Author

Kevin Moore

Dr Kevin Moore is the founding director of the Nat…

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