An Interview with Andy Sambidge

Andy spent more than thirty-five years working as a journalist in the United Kingdom and Dubai before retiring in 2025. He is a lifelong Derby County fan who lives in Wiltshire with his wife Sarah. They Think It’s All Over is his debut novel, with plans to publish his second book in 2027.

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What inspired you to start writing this book?

I’ve always been drawn to “what if” alternative history stories and my book was first inspired by a quote from former Liverpool FC manager Bill Shankley, who said: “Some people think football is a matter of life and death. I assure you, it’s much more serious than that.”

I was surprised no one had written about the consequences of a football referee strike in England in the face of the abuse they receive, so it became an intriguing tale to try to tell.

Tell us the story of your book’s current title. Was it easy to find, or did it take forever?

I had a couple of titles for the book before I landed on They Think It’s All Over, but once that came into my head, it was an obvious choice as it is such a famous phrase for football fans, following the commentary in the 1966 World Cup final.

If your book had a soundtrack, what are some songs that would be on it?

I’ve actually created a dedicated Spotify soundtrack for my book based on songs released between 2011–’13, the period covered by They Think It’s All Over. You can see the playlist here:

What books are you reading (for research or comfort) as you continue the writing process?

I read, on average, a book per week, and recently I’ve enjoyed several titles by two Stephens (King and Fry). Reading quality books by top authors is a constant inspiration (although sometimes it also triggers a case of imposter syndrome).

What other professions have you worked in? What’s something about you that your readers wouldn’t know?

I spent more than thirty-five years working as a journalist and this came in handy with They Think It’s All Over. Although it’s a fictional novel, it is set within a real football season, so lots of research was needed to accurately represent the news and events of the time. I also wanted to make the story feel as real as possible and my journalistic experience certainly helped.

Where is your favorite place to write?

My favourite place to write is at home with music or the TV in the background. While many writers probably prefer no distractions, I’m not one of them. In fact, there have been many occasions when what was on the radio or TV inspired me to take a character or a plotline in a certain direction.

What’s one thing you hope sticks with readers after they finish your book?

While They Think It’s All Over is set within the world of football, you don’t have to be a fan to enjoy it. It is ultimately less about football than it is about human nature, and I hope it invites readers to consider how one seemingly isolated, tragic incident can send ripples far beyond those directly involved.

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Are you a writer, too? Submit your manuscript to Atmosphere Press.