England football manager Fabio Capello has added his support to new book Eleven, by Steve Fleming, which celebrates football as a power for good across the world and will raise funds for charity football projects, including Albion's very own community project. .
Capello was at the launch of Eleven, held at Wembley this week, as part of the Football Association's ongoing commitment to international development, and has penned the foreword for the book.
The England boss, speaking at the launch, said, "Football has a wider, very important role to play in addressing the issues that affect some of the most disadvantaged people in the world, who are often the game's greatest supporters.
"I hope that we can harness the power of the game to transform the lives of some of the world's poorest children. We are a rich sport and we need to put ourselves at the service of those who can help the poor.
"It is very encouraging to see in this book many organisations around the world that are doing an excellent job in using football to tackle challenging social problems. I am delighted to add my support to their continued success."
Focused on eleven individuals the book contains stories of how football can transform the lives of disadvantaged people around the world. Each story focuses on a different social issue from drug and alcohol abuse to HIV, poverty and gang crime, and looks at how the power and popularity of football has inspired people to turn their lives around.
Capello speaks of his own experience of football being used to tackle HIV in Africa. He champions the book's message that football has a role and a duty to do more in promoting social development.
Fleming added, "It is great to have Mr Capello's support, especially in a World Cup year. Also I am delighted that Pitch Publishing have fully bought into the concept of Development through Football, channelling all publisher profits and proceeds from Eleven into helping some of the most disadvantaged young people in the world."
The book is co-edited by streetfootballworld, who are partnered with FIFA to run the Football for Hope programme, and who will be promoting the book in the run up to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
Supported by the publisher, the Football Association and adidas as part of their ongoing and long-term commitment to Development through Football - all proceeds from the sale of the book will be donated to charities in this field.
Click here to purchase the book, or for more information visit www.elevenbook.com.
