Matt Oldfield

Matt Oldfield

Author of the Ultimate Football Heroes series, the Johnny Ball: Football Genius series, and Unbelievable Football

Also writes as

Ultimate Football Heroes
www.heroesfootball.com
Booking enquiry
Matt Oldfield - author tools

Available for

Workshop, Talk, Reading, Interview, Commission a book

Audiences

Age 5 to 7, Age 7 to 11, Age 11 to 14

Genres

Biography, Fiction, Humour, Non-Fiction, Reference, Sport

Book types

Alphabet, Educational, Fiction for children, Fiction 8-13, Non-fiction for children

Details

Hi there, my name is Matt Oldfield and I'm the author of Unbelievable Football (winner of the 2020 Children's Sports Book of the Year award) and the Johnny Ball: Football Genius series. I'm also one half of the brothers behind the Ultimate Football Heroes and Classic Football Heroes books series for children aged 7-12. Our fun, action-packed biographies tell the exciting life stories of the world's greatest footballers, from Maradona through to Messi, from Beckham through to Kane.

When I'm not writing, I work with schools, charities and organisations (The National Literacy Trust, The National Football Museum, Beanstalk, Football Beyond Borders) to deliver literacy workshops aimed at football fans and reluctant readers. My workshops aim to combine key aspects of writing (dialogue, character, emotion, setting) with key aspects of football and life (teamwork, bouncing back, achieving dreams). I'm based in Bristol but I'm very happy to travel far and wide in the name of literacy!

You can follow me on Twitter (@footieheroesbks), or email me at oldfield.matt@gmail.com. All questions and enquiries welcome!

And don't forget to check out our website -  heroesfootball.com 

Event feedback

Fabulous, the students were very engaged during the workshop, Matt has a great ability to get the best out of the students and gauge their ability. The students and staff thorough enjoyed the day. We have discussed another booking for the next academic year.

Denise Styles (Bradon Forest School)

The whole day was just amazing. Matt truly delivered, the pupils were engaged & didn't stop talking about for days on end. I wouldn't hesitate in recommending Matt Oldfield to other schools. Our principle Rev Leach even came to me to say what a brilliant choice of author :-) I was impressed how he dedicated his time to speaking to the pupils during the lunch period too. I do hope Matt enjoyed it as much as we (Walkwood) did. Please thank him again for his time and energy. NB my library shelves are still empty of the football books, one comes in and goes straight out again.

Michelle West (Walkwood CE Middle School)

Matt was fantastic. He really engaged the students with his assembly and workshops, even those who did not have a particular interest in sport. We highly recommend Matt to other schools.

Zoe Duddle And Fiona Kelley (Beckfoot School)

Brilliant day. Thank you Matt for your fantastic writing workshop that got all the students planning. Engaging and fun assembly as well. Matt's visit was not just for football fans, and the sense of excitement around the school was brilliant.

Susan Evans (Southgate School)

What an amazing day Matt! You delivered a thoroughly engaging workshop and talk for our pupils which was pitched at exactly the right tone and level. You have inspired our students and we honestly can't thank you enough. Clare: Raynes Park High School

Clare Waterston (Raynes Park High School)

Wow! Such a fantastic day with Matt. The assembly was engaging, informative and fun. The students who took part in the workshops dug deep to write about their own resilience stories and I have noticed a real uptake in borrowing (specifically Matt's books) since his visit.

Janine Parkes (West Bromwich Collegiate Academy)

Books by Matt Oldfield

Unbelievable Football, winner of the 2020 Children’s Sports Book of the Year Award. Ultimate Football Heroes is a series of biographies telling the life-stories of the biggest and best footballers in the world and their incredible journeys from childhood fan to super-star professional player. Written in fast-paced, action-packed style these books are perfect for all the family to collect and share.
9781406391275
Johnny Ball: Undercover Football Genius

Johnny Ball: Undercover Football Genius

From the author of Ultimate Football Heroes comes the second book in the Johnny Ball series, funny reading for football-mad kids. 
9781526362445
Unbelievable Football

Unbelievable Football

The Most Incredible True Football Stories You Never Knew 
9781406391268
Johnny Ball: Accidental Football Genius

Johnny Ball: Accidental Football Genius

From the author of Ultimate Football Heroes comes the first book in the new Johnny Ball fiction series, perfect reading for football-mad kids 
9781786064035
Messi

Messi

Ultimate Football Heroes: From the Playground to the Pitch 
9781786064059
Ronaldo

Ronaldo

Ultimate Football Heroes: From the Playground to the Pitch 
9781789460674
Mbappe

Mbappe

Kylian Mbappe has the world at his feet. The young French striker's goals, skills and fearless attacking spirit earned him a £166 million transfer to French champions Paris Saint-Germain, to take on the best teams in Europe with new teammate Neymar. And at the 2018 World Cup, Kylian was the star player, his goals firing France to victory in the final. Now as a world champion, he has just one goal left - to become the best player ever. 
9781786064042
Neymar

Neymar

Ultimate Football Heroes: From the Playground to the Pitch 
9781786068088
Hazard

Hazard

Ultimate Football Heroes: From the Playground to the Pitch 
9781789463163
Van DIjk

Van DIjk

Virgil van Dijk is Liverpool FC's superstar centre-back and he's going from strength to strength. From washing dishes to pay his way during his early career to becoming one of the best defenders in the world, this is the story of how Virgil became a true Liverpool legend. Follow his journey as he fights adversity and works his way up to become an ultimate football hero. 
9781786068866
Kane

Kane

Kane is the amazing story of how the boy from North London became the Premier League's most lethal goalscorer. 
9781786068118
Sterling

Sterling

Ultimate Football Heroes: From the Playground to the Pitch 
9781789460063
Salah

Salah

Mohamed Salah is Liverpool's superstar forward, and he is on a mission to become the best player in the world. This exciting book follows his adventures across the world - from the heat of Egypt to the magic of Rome, the roar of Anfield stadium and - finally - his big chance in a Champions League Final. 
9781789461145
Mane

Mane

Sadio Mané is one of Liverpool FC's 'Fab Four'. Along with Mo Salah, Roberto Firmino and Xherdan Shakiri, Sadio's goals have helped make Liverpool the deadliest attacking team in the Premier League. Since he moved to the Premier League, Sadio has been setting the bar to new heights - from scoring the fastest hat-trick in history to becoming the most expensive African footballer ever. There is no stopping the Fab Four, and the sky is the limit for Sadio Mané. 
9781789460056
De Bruyne

De Bruyne

Kevin de Bruyne is arguably Manchester City's best player. This is the story of how the young Belgian rose through the ranks, worked hard despite the difficulties he faced along the way, and showed courage and determination to prove his skill in the world's toughest league. His versatility, technique and goal-scoring ability to have allowed him to become a midfielder like no other this season. 
9781786068071
Aguero

Aguero

Ultimate Football Heroes: From the Playground to the Pitch 
9781789461190
Aubameyang

Aubameyang

Pace, power, precision - Auba is the striker who has it all. The Gabonese striker's athleticism, skills and clinical finishing have made defenders in the Bundesliga and the Premier League fear him every time he steps onto the pitch. But his journey through Europe's top leagues to the bright lights of London has been a long one. This is the exciting story of one of the world's deadliest goalscorers. 
9781786069443
Ronaldo

Ronaldo

This is the rollercoaster story of how Ronaldo grew up to become a superstar striker for Brazil, Barcelona and Real Madrid. Struck down by illness on the day of the 1998 World Cup final, he showed world-class skill and determination to come back four years later and single-handedly destroy Germany in the 2002 final to prove, once and for all, that he was one of the greatest strikers ever. 
9781786069245
Maradona

Maradona

Diego Maradona is a true footballing legend, and arguably the greatest player ever. The Argentinian playmaker was renowned for his unbelievable skills and agility, as he effortlessly weaved his way up the pitch and through the opposition. Nicknamed 'The Golden Boy', Maradona earned ninety-one caps and scored thirty-one goals for his country, including in the 1986 World Cup where he captained his team to victory - scoring the two most famous goals of all time, against England, along the way! 
9781786064615
Zidane

Zidane

Classic Football Heroes: From the Playground to the Pitch 
9781786068064
Suarez

Suarez

Ultimate Football Heroes: From the Playground to the Pitch 
9781786068033
Pogba

Pogba

Ultimate Football Heroes: From the Playground to the Pitch 
9781786069207
Road to the World Cup

Road to the World Cup

Learn how star players Harry Kane, Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, Manuel Neuer and Paul Pogba, stepped up for their national sides, and brought them through qualification - ready to go head to head for the 2018 World Cup. 
9781786068019
Bale

Bale

Ultimate Football Heroes: From the Playground to the Pitch 
9781786069214
Beckham

Beckham

In 2002, during the final moments of injury time, David Beckham scored an incredible free-kick, securing England a place in the World Cup. It was this moment that ensured that Beckham would become one of the most loved English footballers, as well as a Manchester United and Real Madrid hero. During a career which spanned twenty years, Beckham won an impressive nineteen major trophies. This is the story of a true sportsman, who earned respect and loyalty from his fans around the world. 
9781786068057
Giggs

Giggs

Classic Football Heroes: From the Playground to the Pitch 
9781786068125
Gerrard

Gerrard

Classic Football Heroes: From the Playground to the Pitch 
9781786068101
Zlatan

Zlatan

Ultimate Football Heroes: From the Playground to the Pitch 
9781786064622
Coutinho

Coutinho

Ultimate Football Heroes: From the Playground to the Pitch 
9781786068026
Rooney

Rooney

Classic Football Heroes: From the Playground to the Pitch 
9781786068859
LUKAKU

LUKAKU

Romelu Lukaku is the boy from Belgium who went from having big dreams to playing for Manchester United. This is the amazing story of his journey to become a football hero. 
9781789460520
Pickford

Pickford

Jordan Pickford is the hero goalkeeper whose super-save won England their first ever World Cup penalty shootout, and whose will to win inspired England to battle all the way to the semi-finals. This is the story of how a young boy with a big dream became Everton's number-one keeper and England's star player at the 2018 World Cup. 
9781789460476
Maguire

Maguire

Harry Maguire is the boy from Sheffield who battled heroically in the Premier League with Hull City before becoming a lion-hearted defender for Leicester City. But it was with England at the 2018 World Cup that Harry proved his talent once and for all. With determination, courage and passion, Harry Maguire's performances at the heart of England's defence will be remembered for years to come. 
9781786069153
Neuer

Neuer

Manuel Neuer is the best goalkeeper in today's game. This is the story of how young Manuel worked his way up the ranks to become a core member of Bayern Munich's all-conquering side, as well as a captain and World Cup winner with his home country, Germany. 
9781786068040
Iniesta

Iniesta

Ultimate Football Heroes: From the Playground to the Pitch 
9781789460506
Trippier

Trippier

The amazing life story of 'The Bury Beckham' 
9781786069221
Klinsmann

Klinsmann

Jurgen Klinsmann: deadly goal-poacher, Tottenham Hotspur hero, world champion. After helping to beat England in the 1990 World Cup, the German striker came to play for Tottenham Hotspur - but it took a long time for Spurs fans to grow to love him. Yet with his competitive spirit, humour and his amazing talent for conjuring a goal from thin air, he quickly became a North London legend. This is his exciting story. 
9781786069238
Figo

Figo

Luís Figo is one of the greatest players of his generation, after a glittering career in which he captained his national team, Portugal, and became Barcelona's hero captain. But when he transferred to fierce rivals Real Madrid, he had to face the anger of Barca fans all over the world. Yet Figo showed true courage, forging an unstoppable partnership with fellow midfield maestro Zinedine Zidane to win the 2002 Champions League. This is the thrilling story of one of the best midfielders ever. 
9781786064639
Carragher

Carragher

Classic Football Heroes: From the Playground to the Pitch 
9781786068095
Sanchez

Sanchez

Ultimate Football Heroes: From the Playground to the Pitch 

Photos

Matt Oldfield - first image
Matt Oldfield - first image
Matt Oldfield - first image

Keywords

BIOGRAPHY BOYS CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ENGLAND FOOTBALL GIRLS GOALS HEROES LEGENDS NON-FICTION PERSUASIVE WRITING PREMIER LEAGUE RELUCTANT READERS SPORT STORY STORYWRITING SUCCESS TEAMWORK WORLD CUP WORLD CUP 2018