Бывший журналист из Уилтшира опубликовал роман о забастовке футбольных арбитров в Англии

A debut novel by a retired journalist imagines a football referee strike in England and the chaos it unleashes. Published earlier this month, They Think It’s All Over is the first novel by Andy Sambidge, former editor of the Wiltshire Times, who now lives in Corsham. The story begins with the accidental death of a referee at the hands of a fan during a fictionalised 2011/2012 football season, setting off a chain of events that spirals into a crisis affecting the whole country. Mr Sambidge said: "I have always been shocked by the amount of abuse aimed at referees at all levels and I wanted to explore the 'what if' scenario of referees going on strike. "I deliberately set the novel at a time before VAR had been introduced to show the impact that a decision by both referee and football fans can have. "The novel looks at the financial, societal and cultural implications that a disruption to such an integral part of many people’s everyday lives can have." Mr Sambidge was editor of the Wiltshire Times from 2004 to 2008 and recently retired. Although set mainly in Birmingham, the book includes a character from Chippenham and a chapter set at a golf club inspired by Whitley Golf Club. The plot centres on Tommy Davis, a devoted football supporter whose actions take a dark turn following his team’s relegation. Mr Sambidge said the novel is an exploration of how a single moment can have far-reaching consequences beyond the pitch. They Think It’s All Over is available on Amazon in both paperback and e-book formats.