Join Stanchion Books for the London launch of Unfit and Improper Persons : An Idiot's Guide to Owning a Football Club by Kevin Day, Kieran Magure and Guy Kilty.

The book:

'A very funny book that tackles some serious football issues.' Gary Lineker

'Witty and wise.' Clare Balding

'Brilliant. Blows the lid off football. Hilarious, detailed and insightful.' Alan Davies

Ever dreamed of setting up your own football club? Join the team behind The Price of Football podcast as they start a (fictional) football club and discover what's really going on behind the scenes of the beautiful game.

Buying a football club will set you back a few quid, but you've also got to pass the Premier League and EFL's 'fit and proper persons test'. That all seems like a bit of a faff to the team behind the award-winning podcast The Price of Football, so acclaimed comedy writer Kevin Day, football finance expert Kieran Maguire and producer Guy Kilty start an imaginary club instead. In Unfit and Improper Persons they take West Park Rovers on a hilarious journey from the lowest level of the FA pyramid right up to the English Football League, the Premier League and, if fortune favours the fictional, into the heart of Europe.

At least that's the plan, but inevitably they face a few challenges along the way. Where to find a shirt sponsor? What should the mascot be - is a dog called Rover too obvious? Can they pay the women's team the same as the men's team? (Spoiler alert: hardly anyone else does.) And how can they get Messi to the Kleanwell Stadium next season, like they promised the fans?

Roofing over the toilets, paying the electric on the floodlights, salary caps, parachute payments and avoiding bankruptcy, never mind relegation - owning a football club isn't all about stuffing prawn sarnies and quaffing champagne in the directors' box. Unfit and Improper Persons is informed, funny and, thanks to exclusive interviews with those who've been there, done that, it lays bare the labyrinthine world of football finance.

The participants:

Kevin Day is an acclaimed stand-up comedian and one of the country's leading comedy writers. He writes for Have I Got News for You and A League of Their Own and has worked with stars ranging from Dave Allen to Alfie Boe (he'll go through the whole alphabet if you like). He regularly appears on Talksport and BBC5 Live and is currently working on a musical based on the legendary Pawsons Arms pub (honestly). He tweets at @kevinhunterday

Kieran Maguire is the go-to expert on football finance matters. When not regularly appearing on television and radio commentating on matters related to club finance, he teaches the Football Industries MBA at the University of Liverpool Management School. Forbes describes Maguire as a 'soccer finance expert' and his expertise has earned him nicknames such as the 'Columbo of football finance'. He tweets at @KieranMaguire

Guy Kilty, known to listeners of The Price of Football as Producer Guy, has enjoyed a journeyman footballer-style professional career, which has seen him produce and present radio and TV shows at the BBC like Breakfast on BBC One and Wake Up To Money on BBC Radio 5 Live. Now he runs the specialist podcast production company Dap Dip. He tweets at @GuyKilty

The Price of Football team have 85,000 Twitter followers and a host of contacts in the world of professional football. Their media appearances include The Athletic, The Anfield Wrap, Radio 5 Live, TalkSport, BBC World Service, The Times, The Telegraph, the Guardian, BBC Sport, Four Four Two, Goal, and Liverpool Echo.

The host:

Stanchion Books is a bookshop specialising in independently-minded football books, magazines, fanzines, photobooks, kids books and more.

Orders are shipped worldwide and you can get 10% off your first order when you join the mailing list.

Tickets and signed copies:

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There are a small number of free tickets available to those who are not able to afford it. If you are not able to afford a full-priced ticket, please feel free to book a free place, no questions asked.

There is also a ticket option to include a copy of the book. This can be collected at the event and you will be able to get your copy signed at the event.

If you are not able to make the event but would like a signed copy, you can preorder on our website (just choose the signed copy option). Please note that signed copies will not be sent until after the event, ie. after Thursday 16 November. Please see our website for shipping information and estimated delivery times.

Timings:

Doors are open at 6.30pm for a 7pm start.

There will be a signing after the event, where you can purchase your copy of the book and get it signed by the author.