Football Books

Find out more about my non-fiction and fictional football books for children by clicking on the covers below, try a chapter at Free Reads, watch videos of me reading here or visit my Bookshop. Thank you.

“Tom Palmer is definitely in the premier league of children’s authors with an impressive back catalogue of soccer stories.” Mumsnet

Non-fiction – England’s Heroes Coming 2026

England’s Heroes – Discover one hundred of the most memorable moments in England’s football history. From Harry Kane’s Golden Boot to Beckham’s stunning free kick, I have picked ONE HUNDRED of the greatest moments in England’s football history in this exciting Ultimate Football Heroes collection! More here

Football’s Greatest Moments – One hundred of the most thrilling and significant goals, games, and players from across the world in more than 150 years of the Beautiful Game – from the invention of the modern sport all the way to the present day. Featuring Pele’s World Cup, Maradona’s Hand of God, John Barnes’ Maracana magic, and the Lionesses’ European Championship triumph. More here

Liverpool’s Greatest Moments From the founding of the club in 1892 to present day, I’ve picked ONE HUNDRED of the most thrilling and significant goals, games, players and moments from more than 130 years of The Reds. Featuring the 2022 FA Cup win, the 2005 Miracle of Istanbul, Liverpool’s first division title in 1947, the 2006 “Gerrard Final”, and the ongoing Hillsborough Justice Campaign. More here.

Standalone football fiction …

Over the Line

A young footballer volunteers for the First World War Footballers Battalion.

Based on a true story.

More here

Ghost Stadium

A ghost story about three boys who go camping in a football stadium one night.

What could possibly go wrong? …

More here

Secret FC

What can Lily, Maddie and Zach do when the new headmaster bans football?

More here

Football Academy series

The Puffin Football Academy books are about an under-twelve Premier League side:

More here.

Foul Play series

The Puffin Foul Play series feature a fourteen-year-old boy called Danny Harte who wants to solve football crimes:

Buy the collection here.

Soccer Diaries

The Soccer Diaries is a brand new series starring Rocky Race, a British footballer looking to make it big in a US soccer school.

Roy of the Rover’s sister Rocky Race is not your average fourteen year old. She’s determined, ambitious and the best football player you’ve ever seen.

Rocky Race is living the dream: she’s won a scholarship to a prestigious high school in Los Angeles, where she gets to play soccer and train for going pro. She’s got an amazing best friend, and a supportive mum and brother back home in the UK. But living away from home isn’t easy, and fitting in with American kids in high school is scary and new. Not to mention she has to keep her grades up if she wants to stay on the pitch! Will Rocky survive high school?

“a brilliant read… the issue of prejudice and racism in football was handled very well and sensitively” Priscilla Mante

Published by: Rebellion Publishing

1 Rocky Takes LA BUY here
2 Rocky’s Big Move BUY here
3 Rocky Goes for Goal BUY here

World Book Day 2025 – Very exciting news!

I have written a new Rocky story which has been selected as one of the books you can choose with your World Book Day 2025 vouchers. In Rocky Takes the Lead – will Rocky be able to take the lead and show both her British and her American friends that they’re all united by football?

More about Rocky here

Roy of the Rovers

Sixteen-year-old Roy Race always dreamed of playing up front for Rovers. Oozing with natural talent and possessing a powerful left foot, Roy may just be the answer to all of Melchester’s prayers.

More about Roy of the Rovers here

Fiction 1 : Scouted available here
Fiction 2 : Teamwork available here
Fiction 3 : Playoffs available here
Fiction 4 : On Tour available here
Fiction 5 : Playoffs read Chapter 1 here
Fiction 6 : Rocky read Chapter 1 here

And there is an exciting new series of middle grade fiction introducing Roy’s sister Rocky.

More about Rocky here

The Squad series

International espionage and football action combine when these teenage spies are sent to the world’s toughest trouble spots, going undercover with the England youth team. The world’s in danger and only The Squad can save us.

Buy the collection here

Wings

Wings is about four children at a football summer camp near an old airfield, who find themselves propelled back in time. If they can learn how to fly the great RAF planes – the Sopwith Camel, Spitfire and Typhoon, history will lead them on a flight path home to the present.

Buy the trilogy here

Kindle exclusive stories

FREE to Kindle Unlimited Subscribers or just 99p.

Football Academy : Teamwork Buy here

Foul Play : The Danger Academy Buy here

Shaking Hands with Michael Rooney

My first book for children was commissioned by Leeds Libraries. I called it originally Shaking Hands with Alan Smith. It was later published by Grassroots as Shaking Hands with Michael Rooney. Can you guess why and how the name changed?

Its out of print now, which is a shame as it has beautiful illustrations by artist James Innerdale. Its worth looking out for, especially as it has a good section on encouraging children to be football readers and writers.

Buy the book here

Football Literacy Resources

Download my free Football Academy quizzes, posters, packs from here.

Download my free Foul Play quizzes, posters, packs from here.

Football Reading Game

Read about my Football Reading Game author visits here.

Buy Books

Signed and dedicated copies of all my books are available personalised to order from my local independent children’s bookshop “The Thoughtful Spot” here.