Greatest of All Time is Alex’s second novel. It was released on 30th January 2025, published by Dialogue. The audiobook was released on 6th March 2025, performed by Will Edgerton.
The novel is available for purchase here:
“Samson Kabarebe is on the verge of stardom. At just nineteen, he's poised to take the football world by storm. Joining a struggling Premier League team, he steps into the spotlight, taking over the position-and squad number-of a rising homegrown talent who is wrestling with his own dreams and desires.
What begins as resentment between the two young athletes quickly evolves into an intense, undeniable bond. Samson's fiery drive, electrifying skills and irresistible charm spark a transformation, not just in the fortunes of the team, but in the lives around him. As their connection deepens, the story hurtles into a high-stakes world of competition, passion and raw want. Both men are forced to confront the pressures of masculinity, the ever-present threat of scandal, and the fragile balance of living in a body that could betray you at any moment.
With humour, heart and a touch of rebellion, this tender novel explores queer love and the trials of growing up in the hyper-masculine world of sport.”
Press and Reviews
‘The narrator is kind, thoughtful, talented, and likable … exposes the difficulties of being an outsider in a sport you love, where revealing the truth about yourself could cost you your entire career… hit[s] the back of the net.’ John Boyne, for The Irish Times
‘Brisk … the writing efficiently portrays closeted desire simmering amid the dressing room’s brittle laddishness … there’s an impressive range of themes folded into the action, with a number of vivid scenes. Sincere and sharply observed.’ Anthony Cummins, for The Daily Mail
‘[Allison] deserves credit for not taking the narrative in the most obvious dramatic direction and allowing the epiphanies to be partial and unremarkable and close to those in life.’ The TLS
‘In the sections of the novel dedicated to yearning, to our narrator’s confused longing for his teammate, [Allison] gives us some of his absolute best writing… As revolutionary as it shouldn’t be’ Barry Pierce, for The Big Issue
‘Allison convincingly paints the hypermasculine milieu … Notions of victimisation and predation are usefully equivocal.’ The Guardian
‘It looks at queer lust, sex, stealth and confusion, in and out of the locker room, capturing the embarrassingly all-consuming experience of having a crush in your teens. There’s some lovely bittersweet scenes throughout including what it’s like playing FIFA as yourself, hiring your Dad as your manager and having a truly terrible time in the VIP section of the club.’ 10 New Fiction Books You Need to Read in 2025 - Shortlist
‘GOAT is both a celebration and criticism of football, told with warmth and humour.’ The 12 Most Anticipated Novels of 2025 - Dazed
Appearance on Front Row, BBC Radio 4, 28th January 2025
Quotes
'A charming and tender look at love and the beautiful game.' Eliza Clark
'A raw and propulsive book about love, football, and the pleasures and frustrations of the body.' Lara Williams
'A brave and beautiful book . . . Delicate, devastating, brilliant - I loved it.' Ashley Hickson-Lovence
'Call Me by Your Name meets Goal! An exploration of obsession, identity and belonging which sheds light on the hidden stories that must unfold within the world of our beautiful game.' Bruce Omar Yates
'Hypnotically compelling, tender, bleak, beautiful and perturbing, often all at the same time. Alex Allison has such a strong voice, and is such a remarkable talent. I hope to be reading his work for many years to come' Naomi Ishiguro
'Compelling . . . a gentle reminder of what we allow ourselves to suffer in the name of love when we're young and don't know any better.' Justin Myers