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The Official Website

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A Casuals Game

A Gritty British Crime Series
Born From The Terraces

Written by Dean Rinaldi & Roy Larner, Co-author

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Read a Free Sample Chapter

The Authors

Dean Rinaldi and Roy Larner

Dean Rinaldi

Dean Rinaldi

Author

Dean Rinaldi was born in Lewisham, South London, where his passion for storytelling began at an early age. He wrote his first novel at just fourteen years old.

Before returning to his true calling, Dean spent more than three decades managing multi-million-pound businesses for large groups. Writing remained an enduring passion throughout his business career.

Today, Dean has 38 published books, predominantly in the crime, subculture and biographical genres. His work has attracted significant industry attention, with five books optioned for film development.

Roy Larner

Roy Larner

Co-author

Roy Larner was born in Peckham, South London, and is a lifelong supporter of Millwall F.C. As a talented young footballer, he earned a trial with Arsenal F.C., but chronic asthma brought his sporting ambitions to an early end.

In 2017, Roy displayed extraordinary courage during the London Bridge attack when he confronted three machete-wielding terrorists with his bare hands.

Despite being stabbed eight times, his actions helped scores of people escape to safety. His bravery earned him the nickname The Lion of London Bridge and international recognition as a symbol of courage and resilience.

The First Book in the Series

A Casuals Game

South East London – The 80s

A group of football casuals thrive in the pulsating subculture of violence, camaraderie and the thrill of pub life. Their local boozer is The Londoners Arms. Buster is top boy and runs the Firm.

Johnny, a close-knit member, works a dead-end, poorly paid job at a call centre. He struggles to maintain his casual lifestyle and is envious of his best friend, Russell the Printer, with his highly paid fiddles.

Buster has received word that a rival Firm are planning to turn their pub over. It is a liberty that cannot be ignored. He is seasoned in terrace warfare and rallies his troops together, leading the charge to intercept them when they exit Waterloo train station. The highly organised, brutal violence has members of the public running for cover. Buster’s Firm are winning, but they have it on their toes as the sound of police sirens closes in.

At work, Johnny uncovers a loophole in the system that leads to international credit card fraud on a major scale. It supercharges his casual lifestyle and takes him deeper into the criminal underworld…

Early Messages of Support

Support From Film, Music and British Culture

“Roy Larner continues to stand as a symbol of courage. Congratulations to Roy and Dean for delivering a compelling and authentic casual crime trilogy.”

Dougie Brimson

Green Street, Top Dog and Red Bus Movies

“Respect and admiration to you, Roy Larner, for your bravery and resilience. It’s great to see you working with Dean on the 80s casual series.”

Tamer Hassan

The Football Factory, The Business and Layer Cake

“Roy Larner’s courage and story continues to inspire many. Wishing Roy and Dean every success with their 80s casual trilogy.”

Ricci Harnett

Rise of the Footsoldier, Top Dog and 28 Days Later

“Roy Larner is a great man and should have got the George Cross. Congratulations to Roy and Dean with your 80s casual trilogy.”

Garry Bushell

British journalist and cultural commentator

“You’re a legend, Roy. Good luck to you and Dean with your new books.”

Charles Bronson

Britain’s most notorious prisoner

“Roy Larner remains an inspiration for courage and determination. Congratulations to both Roy and Dean on their joint venture.”

Michael Henry

Movie director

“Sending respect to Roy Larner and wishing you and Dean every success with your casual series.”

Jason Mariner

Former Chelsea Headhunter

“Hoping all is well with you, Roy, and congratulations to you and Dean on your trilogy.”

Tim V

Sham 69

“The 80s, a decade that played by a completely different set of rules. Wishing Roy and Dean every success with your casual trilogy.”

Jeff Turner

The Cockney Rejects

Reader Reviews

What Readers Are Saying

★★★★★

“This is the 1980s with all glamour stripped away. The terraces, pubs, backstreets and rivalries all feel utterly authentic. The characters are flawed, dangerous and unforgettable.”

Dave Mercer

★★★★★

“Part terrace culture and part gangland thriller. This novel captures a vanished era with remarkable detail. The atmosphere practically seeps off the page.”

Chris Holt

★★★★★

“Born from the terraces and forged in the streets, this is crime fiction at its rawest. The dialogue is spot on and the setting feels lived-in rather than researched.”

Mick Donovan

★★★★★

“A dark and gripping journey into the world of football firms, criminals and lads trapped by reputation. Dean and Roy balance the action with genuine emotional weight.”

Paul Bradley

★★★★★

“This book has the feel of a classic British crime film. Tough, atmospheric and relentlessly entertaining. A superb read for fans of gritty, character-driven crime drama.”

Alan Price

The Books

The A Casuals Game Series

Each book stands as its own chapter in the expanding world of A Casuals Game.

Book One

A Casuals Game

A Casuals Game book one

Book Two

Old Ties – New Lies

A Casuals Game II Old Ties New Lies

Book Three

Loose Ends

A Casuals Game III Loose Ends

Coming Soon

The Story Continues

Three further books are planned as the world of A Casuals Game expands.

Book Four

High Stakes

Book Five

Power & Paranoia

Book Six

Control & Consequence

Also by Dean Rinaldi and Roy Larner

The Lion of London Bridge

The Lion of London Bridge book cover

A Remarkable True Story

Roy Larner became known around the world as The Lion of London Bridge after confronting three terrorists during the 2017 London Bridge attack.

Despite suffering eight stab wounds, Roy’s extraordinary courage helped people escape to safety. His inspiring story of bravery, resilience and survival was brought to life by author and ghostwriter Dean Rinaldi.

Read by thousands around the world, The Lion of London Bridge remains one of Dean and Roy’s most successful collaborations.

Contact

Get in Touch

For enquiries about A Casuals Game, the wider series, interviews, media opportunities or future projects, contact Dean or Roy directly.

Dean Rinaldi

Author

Email Dean

Roy Larner

Co-author

Email Roy

The Official Home of the Series

Enter the World of A Casuals Game

Enter Johnny’s world of football, friendship, fraud and the criminal underworld of 1980s South East London.

A Casuals Game book cover
Read a Free Sample Chapter

Follow A Casuals Game as the series grows. Future books, publishing news, media announcements and exclusive content will be available here at acasualsgame.com.

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