i once read a book i think called "united" or "united!". It was a
coming of age novel about a young man who played youth soccer
(football) in the UK, and it was published in the UK (i read it there). the story
detailed his trials in both his attempt to become a  professional
athlete and his home life, and also his early relationships. he was
injured in the hamstring at one point and at the end he went off to
play for (i think) arsenal.

Hello.

It sounds like you're thinking of "United!" (1973) by Michael Hardcastle.

From a reader review at Amazon UK:
" Part of a series involving the same football team of youngsters...
Follow the trials of the eponymous United as they make a revolutionary
transfer move for the brilliant Nick Abel-Smith (the princely sum of
?1). As the results improve, so the team spirit dissolves as
Abel-Smith resorts to exorbitant Anelka-style wage demands. Hardcastle
is especially good at recreating the football action on the pitch."
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0416763901/

"United! Is the second story about Bank Vale United, the first is ,
Away From Home!, both are books for avid football fans between the
ages of 8 ? 10 years. It is ideal for encouraging sports-minded
youngsters who steer clear of books to actually sit down and read!"
souce: TheChildrensBookcase
http://www.thechildrensbookcase.com/book_details.cfm?p_id=0-7497-0143-9

Also available from Abebooks:
http://dogbert.abebooks.com/servlet/SearchResults?bx=off&sts=t&ds=30&bi=0&an=hardcastle&tn=united&sortby=2

-------
search strategy:
Amazon UK search:
title: united  / subject: children's

I hope this helps.

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Request for Answer Clarification by tipupp-ga on 22 Nov 2004 09:24 PST

The book in question is not by michael hardcastle... nor is it about
bankvale united. i should have mentioned that... my own searching
turned up that book. the book in question is written for a slightly
older age-group, young teens perhaps. i remember a green cover and the
protagonist was 18 or so for a large part of the tale.

Thank you for your efforts - the book is quite hard to find as you can now tell!

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Clarification of Answer by juggler-ga on 22 Nov 2004 12:15 PST

Yes, it would have helped if we had known that you had already
eliminated Hardcastle's "United!" as a possibility.

Nonetheless, the search continues...


How about "United!" by Diane Redmond?

"Dave Potter is football mad. He's determined to make it his career.
But his father wants Dave to follow his success in his GCSEs with
A-levels and a good career in accountancy - and family tension
mounts."
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0140347453/


If Redmond's book is also wrong, could you supply more information
about the book you read?  Specifically, in approximately what year did
you first encounter it? Any other details might help.

juggler-ga did excelent work - quick, polite, and didn't mind that
much that my comments were at times less than helpful... thank you!

Thank you for the tip.
-juggler