Author
Bill Summers is a writer and soccer enthusiast who began playing at age six in a schoolyard in Oxford, England. A native of Ithaca, New York, Summers went on to play at Cornell University, where he was captain and named an alternate to the NCAA Senior Bowl. He continued to lace up long into his adult years, learning something new each time he crossed the chalk. As a parent, Summers spent a decade coaching boys’ and girls’ youth teams. His first book, The Soccer Starter, Your Guide to Coaching Young Players, was published by McFarland & Company in 2006. For thirty years Summers moonlighted as a sports reporter, covering soccer, baseball, basketball, and football for The Bernardsville News in New Jersey. His soccer writing has earned awards from the Society of Professional Journalists. While his boots are now untied for good, he remains tethered to the game through heart, mind, and keyboard.
Books
Clash of Cleats
Max Miles just wants to make the travel soccer team in his new town – not tear it apart. But Max outplays the Thunder’s star, Red Peters, and takes his position. Red quits the Thunder, joins a rival, and vows revenge. Suddenly Max faces his first enemy – a fierce rival who hounds him on the field and in school. Will Max find the courage to defend himself, or will he let Red take him down?
“Max Miles turns out to be a little too good at his soccer tryout, and now he’s in the fight of his life. Clash of Cleats is end to end action, with a jaw-dropping twist in the final minute.”
Red Card
Soccer phenom Charlie Connor is cruising through high school, until he gets the letter from London. Charlie makes the academy team at elite club Burnchester United – and makes fast enemies. Battered by inferior opponents and spurned by jealous teammates, he yearns to return to Virginia. But Charlie’s dad is pushing him down a different path, a path shaped by ego, greed, and drink. Will Charlie stand up to his dad, or will he get taken down?
“Charlie Connor’s path to international soccer glory is littered with obstacles he never imagined – his best pal, his girl, his teammates, even his father. Red Card is a compelling read from the first whistle to the final touch.”
Magic Boots
Shannon Swift just wants to make the travel soccer team in her new town – not break it up. But Shannon outplays the team’s star, Chelsea Mills, and takes her position. Chelsea and two teammates quit the team, join a rival, and vow revenge. Shannon has never met anyone as nasty as Chelsea. But now she faces a fierce rival who haunts her on the field and in school. Will Shannon learn to stand up for herself, or will she let Chelsea walk all over her?
“Magic Boots is a fun and inspiring first book in a sports series with a powerful female protagonist. Every girl would be lucky to have a friend like Shannon Swift.”
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Mud in my Studs
Random stuff that sticks with me
Welcome to my blog. In it, I’ll share some of my own stories and opinions, as well as stories friends have shared over the years. Posts will range across soccer, sports in general, school, and every-day life. You’ll find at least one new post each week.
The “bottom 90 percent”
Every spring at a nearby high school, administrators play host to a breakfast to honor seniors for exemplary academic performance. The principal announces the names of students who
Fake soccer injuries: here’s a solution
Players faking injury – it’s the curse of soccer. Sadly, we see it at every level, even at the World Cup. A player goes down, grabs his leg,
The Bionic Soccer Player
One Saturday morning, a neighbor joins a friend to watch the friend’s daughter play in a high school soccer match. A midfielder, she runs hard for the first