CLOTHES MAKE THE MAN

Every year, several books are released exploring the stories and intricacies of football. And perhaps none are more eagerly awaited than titles written by players and managers themselves, both past and present. With Leah Williamson’s You Have the Power: Find Your Strength and Believe You Can set to be released later this year, Seatpick decided to analyse reviews and ratings data to determine – which is the best book written by a football personality in the past 10 years?

To do so, Seatpick collected each book’s ratings data from Amazon and Goodreads, and found an average review score for each out of 5, taking into account how many reviews contributed to both sites’ ratings.

Seatpick can reveal that the best book written by a football personality in the past 10 years is Marcus Rashford’s You Are a Champion: How to Be the Best You Can Be. Written in collaboration with performance psychologist Katie Warriner and journalist Carl Anka, the Manchester United star’s motivational work was published in 2021 to widespread acclaim. Rashford, who is known not only for his footballing abilities but also for his outspoken activism, seeks to inspire the generation of tomorrow to achieve their goals in this feel-good 224-page book aimed at children between the ages of 9 and 12. Currently the second best-selling Children’s Book on Football on Amazon UK, You Are a Champion won Children’s Non-Fiction Book of the Year and the prestigious Book of the Year awards at the 2022 British Book Awards. Based on Amazon and Goodreads ratings, the book finishes with a score of 4.53 out of 5.

In second place is a tie between two books – Thinking Out Loud: Love, Grief and Being Mum and Dad by Rio Ferdinand and Lioness: My Journey to Glory by Beth Mead. Thinking Out Loud, written by Manchester United defensive legend Rio Ferdinand in 2017, is a book that predominantly explores the themes stated in its title: love, grief, and parenting. In 2015, Ferdinand tragically lost his wife Rebecca to cancer – Thinking Out Loud explores this loss, as well as providing advice to any reader who may find themselves in a similar unfortunate position. Lioness, on the other hand, is a more straightforward footballer autobiography, narrating the journey of Arsenal star Beth Mead, from joining a local boys’ team in North Yorkshire to winning the UEFA Women’s Euros for England in 2022. Both books share the same final score of 4.41 out of 5.

In fourth place is The Boy On the Shed: A Remarkable Sporting Memoir by Paul Ferris. Following Ferris’ story from a working-class Northern Irish family during The Troubles to becoming Newcastle United’s youngest-ever first-team player, The Boy On the Shed is described as a moving story of ‘love and fate’, and was named The Telegraph Sports Book Awards’ Autobiography of the Year in 2019. It finishes with a final score of 4.40 out of 5.

The BEST books by football personalities from the past 10 years

*An ‘=’ indicates a joint ranking

New men’s luxury jewellery brand –Noel Fine Jewellery was founded in London by Noel Samra, Noel is inspired by attitude, expression and the unorthodox. In creating unconventional beauty, Noel is able to highlight luxury, modernity and maverick in his jewellery art creations.

Born in a third-generation family of jewellers based in Dubai, Noel’s connection to gemmology was kismet. The mystic world of jewellery inspired him to discover his cosmic purpose- creating fine jewellery for the modern, rebellious man. Noel believes in the healing powers and different energies and elements, such as crystals and stones.

Noel’s collection currently includes two main lines – Revolution and Cosmos.

Revolution is a collection inspired by attitude and the unconventional spirit – discover fine jewellery with uncompromising beauty and start your own personal rebellion! Handcrafted in 18 Karat White and Rose Gold with reversed White and Black Princess Cut Diamonds to signify a wonderfully subversive nature. ​

Go where you feel most alive with Cosmos. An artistic expression of a comet sent down from the universe to present divine light and spread truth. Express your rebellious nature with Cosmos, handcrafted in 18 Karat White and Rose Gold with White and Black Brilliant Cut Diamonds.​

Are you more of a silver or gold necklace guy? This year’s Love Island boys are neither with the pearl necklace bug infecting most of the males in the camp.

Love Island is arguably impacting UK fashion trends again in 2023, with searches for ‘mens pearl necklace’ rising 115% since last month following the start of this year’s series.

Ron, Tom, David, Will, Kai and Jordan have all been sporting pearl necklaces and accessories, variations from simple white pearls to the more rugged double chain look.

Most are convinced Ron is the guy behind the trend due to his pre-villa pics where he can be seen wearing the statement piece before having contact with any of the islanders. Although Harry Styles, Timothée Chalamet and Pharell Williams are a few names to have worn them recently.

The trend has left viewers wondering if there’s any meaning around the trend, that’s why experts at mens accessories and jewellery brand, Trendhim have provided insight into the meaning of pearl necklaces and the best ways to style them.

On men, beaded and pearl necklaces are often associated with the idea of relaxation and freedom and they can add a bohemian and laid-back feel to an outfit. The first beaded necklace was found in the Skhul Cave in Israel over 110,000 years ago.

They are best paired with upper body wear that isn’t restrictive, like loose, subtly patterned short sleeve shirts with a few buttons undone or a simple, slightly oversized crewneck with a neckline that’s not too high.

The good thing about pearl necklaces is they can be luxuriant, minimalist or a big statement piece, but that doesn’t mean they’re not without their don’ts. Pearl necklaces work best with fewer layers, so over layering your outfit with a hoodie and a jacket alongside a pearl necklace can look too much and confuse the look.

Threadbare LUXE is premium menswear for the modern man, a concept collection part of
the Threadbare range. With everything you need to transform your wardrobe into semi-
formal or formal, Threadbare LUXE is here for the men who want classic styles made new.

Threadbare is a family-run fashion house, where style and quality meet the needs of
everyday life. Our core is family, It’s at the heart of what we do, who we do it for, and it’s
what we celebrate. Since launching in 2014, we’re now so much more than a clothing
brand. We have a passion for creating purposeful product that’s made to last, and
affordable investment pieces you can wear again and again.

The second drop follows the successful AW22 launch and encapsulates the luxury
discipline of crafted silhouettes and technical innovation. Invest in elevated separates
inspired by timeless tailoring, and kick back in relaxed curated casuals with a premium
aesthetic. With rich fabrics and a blended palette of new neutrals, it’s all in the details. In the pursuit of luxurious legacy dressing, these hand-picked pieces are crafted for those
moments when a little luxe is desired.
With hero pieces including the statement Jersey Blazer and Quilted Funnel Neck Jacket,
the collection focuses on transitional essentials and forever investment pieces.

Louise Thompson, LUXE Menswear Tailoring Buyer comments:
“We wanted to offer our customers an elevated package of separates which is slightly smarter than our current main range, but nothing too formal, LUXE was designed as a capsule collection meaning each piece could be worn head-to-toe LUXE or mixed with your current wardrobe for everyday elevated basics, but still feels you.”

Researchers at the University of East Anglia have developed a new technology that turns beauty products like moisturiser into a dry piece of confetti-like ‘paper’.

The breakthrough means that 98 per cent of the water in products like moisturiser, sun-cream, shampoo and conditioner can be removed.

Users simply need to add a drop of water to the paper-like disc to rehydrate it instantly.

It could revolutionise the beauty industry by dramatically reducing both its carbon footprint and packaging waste.

The new technology also removes the need for preservatives in these products and improves their shelf life.

Lead researcher Prof Sheng Qi, from UEA’s School of Pharmacy, said: “Most cosmetics and toiletries contain up to 95 per cent water, leading to heavy units by volume and bulky packaging.

“Every year, 120 billion units of cosmetics and toiletries are packaged and shipped globally, so the industry has a huge carbon footprint.

“The technology that we have developed uses a no-heat process to transform a range of water and oil-based based beauty and skincare products into small discs of paper-like material.”

The innovative process allows up to 98 per cent of water to be removed, while preserving the stability of delicate active ingredients.

Just add a single drop of water, and the dry sheets rapidly reconstitute to a cream or lotion, which can be applied in the same way as conventional products.

Prof Qi said: “We originally developed this technology for the pharmaceutical industry, but it quickly became clear that it could really help reduce the carbon footprint of the beauty and skincare industries.

“Removing the water and oil from toiletries like moisturiser, sun cream, and other hair and beauty products means that we can not only improve their shelf life but hugely reduce product and packaging weight, transportation costs, plastic waste and the need for preservatives.

“Above all, it dramatically reduces their carbon footprint, which is better for the environment. We hope it will help the beauty industry achieve Net Zero carbon targets and sustainability goals, without compromising product quality and performance.”