David Winner (soccer)

David Winner is a British author known primarily for his insightful and often unconventional books on the culture and aesthetics of football (soccer). He offers perspectives that go beyond tactical analysis and game summaries, instead exploring the sociological, historical, and design aspects of the sport.

Winner is perhaps best known for his book Brilliant Orange: The Neurotic Genius of Dutch Football, which examines the unique culture of Dutch football, tracing its development from the post-war era to the height of Total Football in the 1970s and beyond. The book uses football as a lens through which to examine Dutch society, art, architecture, and national identity. He explores how factors such as the country’s social democracy, Calvinist heritage, and aesthetic sensibilities have shaped the way the Dutch play and perceive the game.

Other notable works include Those Feet: A Sensual History of English Football, which delves into the social and cultural history of English football, and Along the Divide: A Brief History of Football in Eastern Europe. These books, like Brilliant Orange, demonstrate Winner's ability to combine meticulous research with engaging storytelling, offering readers a deeper understanding of the sport and its place in the world.