Biography: sport Books
DB Publishing Bobby Johnstone: The Passing of an Age
£14.99
Bonnier Books Ltd The Boys of Winter: England's 2003 Rugby World Cup Win, As Told By The Team
Book SynopsisThe must-read book ahead of the Rugby World Cup 2023.England have been in four Rugby World Cup finals and only won one of them. In 2003, this team was the one that did it. And this is their story in their words.The image of Jonny Wilkinson's last-minute winning drop goal is etched deep into the nation's consciousness - everyone knows where they were during that iconic moment on the 22nd November 2003. Twenty years on, with their achievement still unmatched, the affection and respect this band of brothers command is as great as ever. There is still no modern player as beloved as Jonny Wilkinson, no captain as celebrated and respected as Martin Johnson, and no coach as revered as Sir Clive Woodward. And there is no one with the aura and drive of Lawrence Dallaglio.In The Boys of Winter, Dallaglio and writer Owen Slot tell the inside story of England's triumphant 2003 Rugby World Cup through interviews with those involved, revealing how the team planned it and executed it; the iconic memories as well as the unseen moments.But what has become of those heroes of our youth? This book also tells the story of how the tournament has shaped the lives of those involved, for better or worse. For many it was the pinnacle, for some a missed opportunity and for others a curse from which they never recovered.- Includes never-before-seen interviews with the squad and coaching staff- Reveals how the team planned and executed the 2003 Rugby World Cup win- Takes you inside the dressing room and onto the pitch for this historic moment- Uncovers for the first time the impact of the achievement on the players- Explores why this success has never been repeatedThis is the definitive account of a legendary sporting moment and an examination of the costs of our dreams.
£999.99
Pitch Publishing Ltd Budge Rogers: A Rugby Life
Book SynopsisBudge Rogers: A Rugby Life is the long overdue biography of one of rugby's most iconic players, Derek Prior Budge Rogers. The story of the wing forward who lit up rugby grounds around the world in the 1960s and 1970s with dazzling and determined wing play, Rogers is a true rugby great. He captained Bedford RFC for five seasons, including the year they won the National Cup in his last game for the club. He spent nine years as England captain and toured overseas with the British Lions and Barbarians - with many a tale to be told from these trips, which are a real highlight of his story. Rogers's exemplary playing career was followed by years in management and administration at the highest level as both Chairman of England Selectors and President of the RFU. An OBE soon followed. A player who epitomised the best values in the amateur game, he also became a key figure in managing the difficult transition of rugby from its amateur status into the modern, professional game we know today. Budge Rogers: A Rugby Life gives a unique insight into the life of this electrifying wing forward and his time at the top of the sport.
£16.19
Pitch Publishing Ltd A Champion's Last Fight: The Struggle with Life
Book SynopsisDrink, drugs, depression, sex scandals, financial meltdowns and serious health issues are just some of the fights British boxers have faced once they've quit the ring. A Champion's Last Fight examines just why and exactly how some of Britain's greatest boxers have self-destructed in retirement. It tells the stories of former world champions who have struggled in life away from the spotlights and the glare that comes with boxing success; delving into the post-boxing lives and tribulations of Benny Lynch, Randolph Turpin, Freddie Mills, Ken Buchanan, John Conteh, Alan Minter, Charlie Magri, Frank Bruno, Nigel Benn, Chris Eubank, Naseem Hamed, Scott Harrison, Herbie Hide, Joe Calzaghe and Ricky Hatton. With interviews and new revelations, A Champion's Last Fight is an emotional journey through boxing history that examines the struggles many former champions experience after hanging up the gloves - and asks what, if anything, can be done to help the nation's boxing greats adjust to life away from the ring?
£12.34
Pitch Publishing Ltd Run for Your Life: How One Woman Ran Circles
Book SynopsisRunning has been many things to Jenny Baker - a space to achieve new things, a way to keep fit and healthy, and a source of friendship and community. She had planned a year of running to celebrate her birthday; instead Jenny was hit with a bombshell which rocked her life when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. She had one question for her oncologist: can I keep running? It gave her a sense of identity through her chemotherapy, while her treatment was stripping away everything that was important to her. Run For Your Life is the story of how she kept running to help her beat cancer, and how it helped her get her life back on track after an intensive spell of treatment and a turbulent time in her life.
£8.54
Pitch Publishing Ltd Over and Out: Albert Trott: The Man Who Cleared
Book SynopsisOver and Out is the remarkable story of a neglected cricket hero. Albert Trott was good enough to play for Australia and England, but at the height of his powers no Test team would pick him. He brought an Ashes series to life by taking 8-43 on debut and his batting average for Australia was 102.5. This was the man who cleared the Lord's pavilion with the biggest of hits. Over and Out celebrates his exploits on the field, which for far too long have been hidden by the taboo of suicide. It also addresses the mystery of Albert Trott, how he responded to the external forces that fashioned his life and ultimately why he did what he did. From fame to broke and broken, from Melbourne to Middlesex his story is compelling. While lesser men have found their place within the cricketing pantheon, it has been the fate of 'Dear Trotty' to be excluded, the permanent outsider. There is no portrait of Albert Trott in the Long Room in the Lord's pavilion. It is time for him to take up his rightful place in the history of the game.
£999.99
Pitch Publishing Ltd Gentleman and Player: The Story of Colin Cowdrey,
Book SynopsisColin Cowdrey is remembered for the elegance of his strokeplay; but there was more to this complex man than a classical cover drive. Successes were numerous: 114 Test matches, 22 Test hundreds, 100 first-class centuries, countless famous victories and unforgettable innings. There was controversy and disappointment too, chief among them being repeated snubs for the England captaincy and the D'Oliveira Affair. Cowdrey was involved in three of England's most memorable Tests: Lord's in 1963 against the West Indies, batting at 11 with his arm in plaster, two balls left and all four results possible; Trinidad in 1968 in which England secured a famous victory against the West Indies; and The Oval in 1968 when England gained an improbable final-over win against Australia. In later life, he shone as an administrative leader - as president of Kent and of the MCC, and as chairman of the ICC - and was made a Lord. Sir Garry Sobers spoke for many when he said at his memorial service, "Colin Cowdrey was a great man."
£17.09
Pitch Publishing Ltd Born to Box: The Extraordinary Story of Nipper
Book SynopsisNipper Pat Daly was boxing's most amazing prodigy. Extraordinary but tragic, his was a career like no other in sports history. Born in Wales in 1913, he became a professional boxer at age ten after moving to London. With his exceptional talent, by age 14 he was beating grown men in gruelling 15-round fights. At 15 he was thrashing national champions and at 16 was ranked by America's The Ring magazine in the world's top ten. In the late 1920s, audiences across Britain sat spellbound as the Wonderboy delivered boxing masterclasses against Europe's elite fighters. Daly beat three British champions, a European champ and the reigning champions of Italy, Belgium and Germany. A magnetic figure, leading sportswriters saw him as a future world champion and possible all-time great. Tragically, however, he was recklessly overworked and forced to retire aged 17, after well over 100 pro fights. Incorporating Nipper's previously unpublished memoirs, Born to Box is the story of his unique career, life and times.
£17.99
Pitch Publishing Ltd Stuck in a Moment: The Ballad of Paul Vaessen
Book SynopsisFor some players, the final whistle heralds the beginning of an infinitely more difficult chapter in their lives. Some simply find it impossible to cope, replacing one addiction with another. Not well known is the story of Paul Vaessen, perhaps the most powerful and tragic tale of them all. Paul was the Bermondsey boy who rose from working-class roots to overnight fame in Turin when in April 1980, as an unknown 18-year-old, he scored one of the most dramatic goals in Arsenal's distinguished history. But all too soon Paul would discover how fragile and fickle the world of football could be as he experienced unforgiving injuries, loss of form and merciless barracking by his own fans. Just three years down the line, he was on the scrapheap, discarded by the game he'd devoted his young life to, and descending quickly into the only other world he knew, that of drugs. Paul would spend his lonely final days reliving his moment of glory with anybody willing to listen, that one moment in which he had effectively become stuck.
£12.34
Pitch Publishing Ltd In Sunshine or In Shadow: A Journey Through the
Book SynopsisDerek Dougan was no ordinary footballer. A flamboyant Northern Irish goalscorer, his unwillingness to accept injustice and mismanagement won him as many enemies as friends. Shortly after being asked to collaborate on a new autobiography, a project undone by Dougan's sudden death, David Tossell set out to retrace his life through a series of over 70 interviews. The result is a definitive account of a contradictory icon with a unique place in the evolution of modern British football. Dougan demanded a transfer on the eve of an FA Cup final, quoted Voltaire and fell out with various clubs. As chairman of the PFA, he fought for freedom of contract; as a club executive, he introduced shirt sponsorship; and 'The Doog' saved Wolves from extinction. In Sunshine Or In Shadow reveals the darkness and light of Derek Dougan, the drive and demons that kept him fighting to the very end.
£12.34
Pitch Publishing Ltd Tony Waddington: Director of a Working Man's
Book SynopsisWaddington, Director of a Working Man's Ballet is a biography of the former Stoke City manager, Tony Waddington, one of the most underrated figures in 60s and 70s football. It charts how a man with the appearance of an urbane bank manager belied the stereotype of the hard-nosed football manager as he turned around the fortunes of an ailing club on the brink of going out of business. Instead, Waddington led the Potters to promotion, secured the club's first major trophy and challenged for a league title in a season bedevilled by bad luck, before a financial calamity led to his departure. An advocate of free-flowing football, yet fielding some of the most uncompromising defensive players of his era, he reinvigorated old pros, inspired young players and won the adulation of a generation of fans. Tony Waddington, or 'Waddo' as he was affectionately known to fans and players alike, achieved all this as the director of what he fondly termed 'a working man's ballet'.
£12.74
Pitch Publishing Ltd Give Us Tomorrow Now: Alan Durban's Mission
Book SynopsisGive Us Tomorrow Now offers an entertaining and powerful narrative of a manager striving to satisfy legions of fanatical supporters and an impatient boardroom. Success and stability had long proven elusive objectives for Sunderland managers attempting the task of 'waking the sleeping giant'. In the summer of 1981, a new dawn shimmered as Alan Durban was persuaded to relinquish his comfortable Stoke post and enter the white heat of North East football mania. This disciple of Brian Clough battled to lay enduring foundations and find an on-field blend amidst constant boardroom interference and an intense media spotlight. A restless hierarchy failed to back their manager's judgement, and the lack of a cup run heightened boardroom impatience to boiling point. The book explores Durban's long-term vision and strategy - and how, heartbreakingly, his embryonic 'tomorrow team' would never be granted the chance to reach maturity.
£17.09
Pitch Publishing Ltd Mad Dog Gravesen: The Last of the Modern
Book SynopsisThomas Gravesen was one of the last footballing mavericks, once dubbed 'a grenade with the pin pulled out'. Hailing from rural Denmark, he fulfilled his childhood dream of becoming a top player but never lost his unique identity, earning a reputation for his bizarre antics and eyebrow-raising behaviour. Gravesen lined up for Real Madrid's glamorous Galacticos and enjoyed colourful spells at European giants Hamburg, Everton and Celtic. Remembered as a cult hero at all of his past clubs, he is a truly fascinating individual. After abruptly ending his career and disappearing, he re-emerged years later in bizarre circumstances in Las Vegas. Did he really lose $54 million at cards? Did he really bring dynamite to training, and spend his summers in a dark basement? Known as a 'unicorn' due to his mysterious life, this is a fascinating, helter-skelter journey into the mind of 'Mad Dog'. Team-mates, coaches and friends recount what it was like to be swept up in the surreal whirlwind of the most unorthodox individual they've ever encountered.
£17.99
Pitch Publishing Ltd Natural: The Jimmy Greaves Story
Book SynopsisJimmy Greaves remains the greatest goalscorer in English football history, with a record of 357 top-flight goals that may never be surpassed. Teenage sensation at Chelsea and England debutant at 19, he became - after an unhappy spell at AC Milan - a legend at Tottenham Hotspur. But despite 44 international goals in 57 games, his England career was defined by the heartbreak of missing the 1966 World Cup Final. A shock move to West Ham brought an acrimonious end to his Spurs days and, a year later, he retired from the game, aged only 31. What followed was a desperate descent into alcoholism, followed by a remarkable battle to win back his family and self-esteem. Reinventing himself as a popular TV personality, his instincts in front of camera proved as natural as those in front of goal. Having taken his final drink in 1978, Greaves has remained sober from that day. Drawing on interviews with family, friends, colleagues and opponents, Natural: The Jimmy Greaves Story is the definitive biography of one of England's most loved footballers.
£17.99
Pitch Publishing Ltd Bottled: English Football's Boozy Story
Book SynopsisBottled tells the story of English football's complicated relationship with booze through the experiences of the players who found themselves in crisis when they could no longer put it down - from George Best and Paul Gascoigne to Tony Adams and Paul Merson, as well as many others who escaped the headlines. Footballers play under intense pressure in the unforgiving glare of the media spotlight. But what do their stories tell us about ourselves? Are some challenges they face specific to a player's lifestyle? With insights from those at the sharp end, here is an examination of footballers in need and the help available from the industry. Untangling the complex web of links between alcohol and the beautiful game, Bottled explores the stories that characterised the origins of many of England's clubs, as churches and breweries vied for the souls of young men. From trashed hotel rooms to the rooms of Alcoholics Anonymous via the China Jump club, Bottled navigates the journey from the stars to the gutter and, sometimes, back again.
£12.34
Pitch Publishing Ltd Taking No Prisoners: The Legend of Frank Barson,
Book SynopsisFrank Barson's life story is one of hardship and hard-won fame, his tough tackling and prowess in controlled aggression earning him a reputation that lives on today. Rising from the factory floor to become a footballing giant, Barson lifted the fortunes of Aston Villa and Manchester United while earning more cautions than anyone before or since. Born in Sheffield's industrial district of Grimesthorpe, his no-nonsense football style was forged in the 20s when learning his trade with Barnsley FC's renowned Battlers. Even in an era of ruthless tackling he stood out as a notoriously powerful player, yet his frequent clashes with authority belied his status as an extremely intelligent player, an inspiration to his colleagues and a true leader. Although Barson only earned a single England cap, commentators and colleagues alike would bemoan the fact that he was not captaining the national side. Football's infamous 'hard man' set standards in deadly, focussed aggression which players such as Norman Hunter and Roy Keane have since striven to emulate.
£12.34
Pitch Publishing Ltd Man of All Talents; the: The Extraordinary Life
Book SynopsisA Man of All Talents is the remarkable story of rugby and wrestling legend Douglas 'Duggy' Clark. Born in 1891 in the sleepy Cumbrian village of Maryport, at 14 he left school to work for his father's coal merchant business. Duggy grew into an exceptionally strong but quiet and reserved young man. His two great passions were rugby and Cumberland and Westmorland-style wrestling, and he excelled at both. By 24 he was already a rugby league great and a key member of Huddersfield's 'Team of All Talents', winning every honour the sport could offer. He represented Britain in the infamous 1914 'Rorke's Drift' tour of Australia before being called up to serve in the Great War. He was awarded the Military Medal for bravery, but his war injuries were so severe he was discharged with a 20% disability certificate. Doctors gave Duggy an ultimatum: either he could stay home and live a long but sedate and ordinary life or risk his health by returning to sport. He chose the latter and went on to achieve more extraordinary and pioneering feats.
£12.34
Pitch Publishing Ltd Tortured: The Sam English Story
Book SynopsisTortured: The Sam English Story is the fascinating yet tragic tale of a footballer destined to become one of the greatest goalscorers in Scottish football history, but who by his own admission became 'an embarrassing, grizzly peep show'. English was a veritable goal machine at Yoker Athletic in the late 1920s, netting nearly 300 in three seasons, and was soon being chased by a posse of big-name clubs. Legendary Arsenal manager Herbert Chapman offered him a blank cheque, but 22-year-old English chose Rangers. He hit 44 league goals in his debut season - still a record today - but tragedy struck early in the campaign. In the first Old Firm match of the season, Celtic keeper John Thomson lost his life after bravely diving at the feet of the entirely blameless English. In an instant, English became one half of a tragic accident and his life changed forever. He moved to Liverpool, but was haunted by the fatality and its accompanying demons. He was cast as a villain and made a pariah. His life would be defined by that one tragic incident.
£17.99
Pitch Publishing Ltd The Great Benny Leonard: Mama'S Boy to World
Book SynopsisBenny Leonard was arguably the greatest lightweight champion of all time. With superb boxing skills and potent punching power, he fought over 200 times and suffered just five defeats. He spent his boyhood in a crime-ridden ghetto in Manhattan's Lower East Side, and was the greatest of a long line of Jewish boxers to emerge from the slums. Leonard was still only 19 when he knocked out Freddie Welsh to become world lightweight king in 1917. He defended the title eight times and retired as undefeated champion in 1925, to please the only woman he loved, his mother. But the 1929 Wall Street Crash wiped out his fortune and he was forced to make a comeback at 35. Leonard fought the best of his era: Johnny Dundee, Johnny Kilbane, Rocky Kansas, Jack Britton, Ted Kid Lewis and Lew Tendler among them. Apart from being a sublime boxer, Benny was a first-class showman who helped to put boxing on a higher plane. He died as he lived - in the ring - while refereeing a fight at age 51. This is the definitive account of his remarkable life and career.
£17.99
Pitch Publishing Ltd Tommy Lawton: Head and Shoulders Above the Rest
Book SynopsisDuring a stellar 20-year career punctuated by the Second World War, such was Tommy Lawton's prowess in front of goal he was a magnet for spectators at a host of top-level clubs. Prior to the war, he served Burnley and Everton with distinction; enlisted to the British army for the war effort, he guested for a host of clubs. After VE Day he maintained his career average of more than one goal every other game - with Everton, Chelsea, Notts County, Brentford, as player manager, and Arsenal; before another spell as player boss at Kettering. In 46 England games either side of the war and including wartime fixtures, he plundered 46 goals. Those impressive stats would surely be even more so but for the war. Deadly in the air or with either foot, and renowned for his sportsmanship - he was never booked throughout his career - Head and Shoulders Above the Rest is an ode to a swashbuckling centre-forward and the man Stanley Matthews described as: 'Quite simply, the greatest header of the ball I ever saw.'
£14.99
Pitch Publishing Ltd Fierce Genius: Cruyff's Year at Feyenoord
Book SynopsisIn 1983, aged 36, Johan Cruyff, one of the world's most iconic football superstars, guided Ajax to a league and cup double. Out of contract, most people, including the player, expected a valedictory final season and a one-year extension. Inexplicably, Ajax let him go. They grossly underestimated the fierce genius of Johan Cruyff. He signed for bitter rivals Feyenoord, leading them to a league and cup double, silencing his critics and thrilling football fans everywhere. Fierce Genius analyses this incredible season, as he evolves from player to coach. It is a fascinating insight into his professional and private life. Imperious on the park, off it, he dealt with kidnappings and bankruptcy after being defrauded by a conman. Bollen gets inside Cruyff's mind, helping the reader understand the mentality which made him a top player and successful coach. Fierce Genius: Cruyff's Year at Feyenoord is compelling, insightful and poignant. Written with a journalistic tone, by an accomplished comedy writer, this is a warm, affectionate and informative portrait of one of world football's greats.
£17.99
Pitch Publishing Ltd Too Black to Wear Whites: The Remarkable Story of
Book SynopsisToo Black to Wear White is the compelling story of Krom Hendricks, the first black South African sporting hero. Co-authors Jonty Winch and Richard Parry explore the colonial roots of racism in cricket and the nefarious role Cecil Rhodes played in the origins of segregation when he barred Krom Hendricks from the South African tour to England in 1894. Hendricks's long struggle for recognition exposed a cruel system. It is a compelling human drama. Hendricks played for the South African 'Malay' team against English professionals in 1892. He was, they said, the best fast bowler in the world. He struck fear into the white establishment and targeted elite South African batsmen who feared his express pace and the prospect of humiliation at the hands of a 'coloured' player. Denied the chance to play Test cricket against Lord Hawke's side, his courage, perseverance and passion for cricket never diminished over several decades; and at the age of 60 he led representative 'coloured' teams in fundraisers during the First World War.
£17.99
Pitch Publishing Ltd The Life and Death of Andy Ducat
Book SynopsisThe Life and Death of Andy Ducat is the fascinating and captivating biography of one of England's earliest sporting heroes. The story starts in the reign of Queen Victoria and ends, tragically, on the hallowed turf of Lord's Cricket Ground during the Second World War. History has not been kind to Andy Ducat, and his untimely death in 1942, while playing at Lord's, is the only fact known by many about this sporting idol. Andy is one of a select band of men to represent England at football and cricket. In football, he captained Aston Villa to FA Cup glory in 1920 and made Arsenal's 'Greatest 50 players'. In cricket, Andy scored more than 23,000 first-class runs and played for Surrey in a team of greats such as Hobbs, Sandham and Fender. Andy was a gifted sportsman with a core philosophy of fair play, which made him universally liked. However, his contribution to English sport in the early years of the 20th century has been forgotten. It is time for a new generation of sports fans to discover Andy's story.
£17.99
Pitch Publishing Ltd Ron Greenwood: A Biography of English Football's
Book SynopsisThis is the first full-length biography of Ron Greenwood, West Ham United's most successful trophy-winning manager - a man who was instrumental in the development of 1966 World Cup-winning heroes Moore, Hurst and Peters. Ron lacked the ruthlessness of his more feted contemporaries, Bill Shankly and Don Revie, with whom his trophy success did not compare. But his West Ham team of the mid-1960s had its own moments of heady triumph - an FA Cup win in 1964 (the club's first), a European Cup Winners' Cup victory in 1965 (only the second European win by an English club) - and crucially they were always easy on the eye, even in defeat. Then there was the little matter of supplying three team members to England's World Cup victory in 1966, at a tournament in which their perfection of Greenwood's near-post cross ploy proved devastating. After 16 years at West Ham, Greenwood became England manager in 1977 and led them to the 1982 World Cup. An impeccable sportsman, deep thinker and skilled communicator, he was a noble servant to football.
£17.99
Pitch Publishing Ltd Eye of the Tiger: The Jock Shaw Story
Book SynopsisEye of the Tiger is the story of one of the most legendary figures in Glasgow Rangers' rich history, a man who epitomised what it meant to be a Ranger. Jock Shaw was a no-nonsense full-back whose fierce, uncompromising tackling earned him the nickname 'Tiger' from club supporters. He joined the Gers from Airdrie in 1938 for GBP2,000 and was a key figure in the Ibrox defence in the immediate post-war years. That defence was dubbed the 'Iron Curtain' because it seemed as unyielding as the barrier that divided Europe at the time. The book charts Jock's extraordinary journey from the coal pit at Bedlay (Annathill) to becoming Rangers' first treble-winning captain. His signing for Rangers started a remarkable association with the club, which lasted over 40 years and saw him serve as team captain, third-team coach and groundsman. He also captained Scotland and shared the distinction of beating England with his brother David. Ian Stewart worked with Tiger Shaw's family to bring you the inside track on his life and career.Trade ReviewIan Stewart has worked with Tiger Shaw's family to write his life story. Ian has written two other books: My Helicopter Sunday and Mr Struth: The Boss with David Mason. He is a civil servant, married to Yvonne, and they live in Glenboig in North Lanarkshire with their youngest daughter, Iona. He is a proud grandpa to John, Andrew and Ollie.
£17.99
David & Charles MIKE THE BIKE - AGAIN: New Edition
Book SynopsisIn June 1978, 11 years after he quit Grand Prix motorcycle racing, Mike Hailwood returned to the Isle of Man TT races, probably the most prestigious, and certainly the most demanding, road race in the world. On a privately entered V-twin Ducati he won the Formula One race, beating the works Hondas of Phil Read and the late John Williams, and breaking the lap and race records. It may have seemed a fluke; it was certainly a fairy tale that continued into 1979, when he was fifth in the Formula One race, despite losing top gear and his battery, first in the Senior, and second by only 3.4 seconds in the Classic - probably the finest and closest-fought race the Island has ever seen, Hailwood proved, if anyone doubted, that he was still the greatest motorcycle racer of all time. This book, written by his manager and friend, Ted Macauley, is the account of his dramatic comeback, from the original wild idea to his final race. More than this, though, it is a study of a remarkable man in a remarkable world, and of the races, the machines, and the men who ride them.Trade ReviewThis book I couldn't put down! Coinciding with this year's 40th anniversary celebrations at the IoM Classic TT of Mike Halewood's incredible win on the Ducati, Veloce has published this new edition of 'Mike the Bike - Again,' now in paperback and with some previously unpublished photos. If you were, or indeed still are, a fan of Mike, this is an ideal volume for you. An excellent read, a 'must have' for any sports fan, highly recommended. - Desmo. The full story is an interesting and enlightening read about the man many believe was the greatest rider of all time. The new publication is a soft-back A5 of 106 pages including quite a number of black and white and colour images. - Isle of Man Examiner. I could not put it down until I'd read the last page, and neither will you. - Nacelle. Impressively informative and nicely illustrated with both black and white and colour photo, this book is a must read for all dedicated motorcycle fans. - Midwest Book Review. With 40 glossy photographs to reflect the anniversary, virtually all of them about Mike's comeback, the book traces the build-up to the amazing event that drew record crowds to the TT when Mike had just ended an 11-year Formula 1 career. - Old Bike Mart.Table of Contents1. A spirit reborn 2. Disguised among the amateurs 3. The bandwagon begins to roll 4. The hard way back 5. A frightening dawn 6. A fairy tale come true 7. Senior drama 8. Here we go again 9. The unforgettable finale
£15.29
Octopus Searching for Novak
Book SynopsisInternational Sports Book of the Year 2025 - Charles Tyrwhitt Sports Book Awards''A fantastic and fascinating exploration of the life of a great champion... Full of compelling insight.'' - Tom Hiddleston''This book captures the deep complexities in Novak''s mind and his life and how he''s dealt with them in a thoughtful, soul-searching way.'' - Chris Evert''A fascinating insight into the greatest tennis player of all time.'' - Evening Standard tennis correspondent, Matt Majendie''An absorbing insight into the story behind the greatest player of all time.'' - The Times tennis correspondent, Stuart Fraser''Would recommend to anyone with even a passing interest in tennis, as well as those who consider themselves experts.'' - Charlie Eccleshare, tennis correspondent for the New York Times and The Athletic''Mark Hodgkinson goes memorably deep on Novak Djokovic - from his hard-luck beginnings to his gluten-free diet to his unorthodox mind - helping us better understand one of the most fascinating figures in sports.'' - Christopher Clarey, author of The Master''Meticulously-researched, this is a go-to book for anyone who wants to get a real insight into what has made Novak Djokovic such a champion.'' - Simon Cambers, author of The Federer EffectNo man or woman has won more Grand Slam singles titles than Novak Djokovic, who took his 24th major at the 2023 US Open. Based on fresh interviews with people close to Djokovic - including his friends and mentors, along with his former coaches and his rivals - this is an in-depth exploration of the psyche of one of the most fascinating and controversial sporting characters ever. From a bomb shelter in Belgrade to an immigration detention centre in Melbourne, and everywhere in between, this book uncovers his relentless pursuit of perfection and the unconventional beliefs that have propelled him to greatness. Rage. Forgiveness. Shame. Pride. Love. Searching for Novak examines the psychological and emotional side of rewriting tennis history.
£15.29
Octopus Carlos Alcaraz Behind the smile
£15.29
Pitch Publishing Ltd Warrior: A Champion's Incredible Search for His
Book SynopsisMatthew Saad Muhammad was arguably the most exciting fighter of all time. He was WBC light-heavyweight champion from 1979 to 1981, but it wasn't what he did that captured the hearts of fight fans, it was how he did it. Fight after fight was war after war. He would get beaten up, cut, dropped and virtually knocked out only to astonishingly rally and score come-from-behind victories. But through it all there was a shocking backstory. Abandoned by his birth parents aged just four, Matthew was raised in a Catholic orphanage and then adopted by a Portuguese family. He fell into a life of gangs and prison before boxing provided an escape, becoming a vehicle for him to find his real identity: who was he, and who were his parents? His rise to stardom was followed by a long, sad decline as he travelled the world trying to reclaim his former glories. He spent his final years in a Philadelphia homeless shelter, plagued by health issues. This is the definitive account of Matthew's incredible but heart-rending story.
£20.69
Pitch Publishing Ltd Hero in the Shadows: The Story of Don Howe,
Book SynopsisDon Howe is one of English football's great coaches, with an unrivalled record at international and club level. As right-hand man to three England managers, he helped his country to the 1990 World Cup and Euro 96 semi-finals. He helped to steer them through the 1982 World Cup unbeaten and to the quarter-finals four years later. Howe masterminded the 1970/71 double at Arsenal, where two spells as coach also brought European and further FA Cup glory. He was also an integral part of one of the greatest Wembley upsets when he helped Wimbledon's 'Crazy Gang' to victory over the mighty Liverpool in 1988. As a player at West Bromwich Albion, Howe won 24 international caps, but as a manager he failed to achieve the success he craved. Yet over a three-decade period, he won acclaim from many of England's finest players as a genius of the coaching profession. Through interviews with players, colleagues, friends and family, this book examines the triumphs and challenges of Don Howe's career and assesses his contribution to English football.
£17.99
Pitch Publishing Ltd The Armistice Day Killing: The Death of Tommy
Book SynopsisThis is the dramatic story of the death of the only English professional footballer deemed by law to have been murdered. A key member of Aston Villa's 1923 all-star team, Tommy Ball rose from the obscurity of Durham pit village football to play a starring role in the world's most famous team and was considered a likely future England international. His killer, Somerset man George Stagg, was a former soldier and policeman who became his landlord and neighbour. A difficult relationship culminated in their fateful meeting on the evening of Armistice Day in 1923. Sentenced to death in controversial circumstances, Stagg escaped the noose by the intervention of the country's first Labour Home Secretary. The exact circumstances of the shooting were never legally established and, for almost a century, have been the subject of considerable speculation. After diligent research, Colin Brown believes he may have the answers.
£17.99
Pitch Publishing Ltd Cocker Hoop: The Biography of Les Cocker, Key Man
Book SynopsisCocker Hoop is the authorised biography of football coaching great Les Cocker. A tenacious and resilient forward, Cocker played for two clubs: Stockport County (196 games, 48 goals) and Accrington Stanley (130 games, 50 goals) before retiring in 1958 to move into coaching. As one of the first recipients of full coaching badges at England's Lilleshall, he established himself as a supreme trainer and coach for Leeds United, and helped build a famous footballing dynasty alongside Don Revie. His rising reputation attracted the FA's attention, and Cocker helped the England team achieve their pinnacle success in 1966. Filled with interviews, anecdotes and revelations from throughout Cocker's career, Cocker Hoop brings us a personal portrait of the great man, and is co-written by his son Dave Cocker and sportswriter and novelist Robert Endeacott.
£17.99
Pitch Publishing Ltd The Road to Nowhere: A Journey Through Boxing's
Book SynopsisIn the era of boxing's pay-per-view superstars, Tris Dixon invested in a Greyhound bus pass and spent several months traversing America on a shoestring budget, tracking down fighters from yesteryear who had vanished from the limelight. Venturing from New York to Las Vegas and from Toronto to Miami, the young writer - himself a former amateur boxer - sought out coulda-been contenders and cult heroes from the 1950s to the 2000s, all now faded from popular memory. He visited old people's homes, gyms and too many prisons, discovering that life after boxing can be a cruel place when the ropes are no longer in place to keep fighters safe from the outside world. Dixon meets men who shaped boxing history, fighting the likes of Sugar Ray Robinson, Muhammad Ali and Mike Tyson. He shares their memories and weaves together their forgotten tales over the course of a remarkable American journey.
£15.29
Pitch Publishing Ltd Never Say Die
Book SynopsisNever Say Die is the gripping story of Arthur Baby' Gore, a battling tennis player of the Edwardian era and the oldest-ever winner of the Wimbledon singles title.Gore enjoyed an unparalleled 40-year career in which the game evolved from a garden-party pastime into a dynamic international sport. Thrice All-England champion, Olympic gold medallist and the first-ever Davis Cup captain, Gore was an amateur of the old school who competed in more Wimbledon tournaments than anyone else in history, all the while pursuing a hectic business life in the City of London.On court he was a dogged fighter who famously did not stop trying until the last point was played. A leading personality of the sport, he symbolised the generation that established the game in the public imagination.With analysis of his opponents and the changes he witnessed in tennis and wider society, this compelling biography provides an unrivalled insight into the life and times of a forgott
£21.25
The History Press Ltd Emlyn Hughes: A Tribute to Crazy Horse
Book SynopsisWhether it was a swashbuckling footballer whose style earned him the nickname Crazy Horse, or as a television quiz show captain who rubbed shoulders with royalty, Emlyn Hughes never did things by half. This book looks at the life of the legend who carved out a career for himself in the media.
£12.34
Upfront Publishing Riding It Out
Book SynopsisHaving made the daring decision to set off around the world by bicycle, Pam Goodall left the comfortable surroundings of her home in West Sussex one spring morning, and went on to pedal her way through Europe, Asia and America.
£12.39
Bonnier Books Ltd A Game of Two Halves: The Autobiography
Book SynopsisFor four decades Archie Macpherson has been one of Britain's finest football commentators. Instantly recognisable, he's never been short of an opinion or far from controversy. After joining the BBC full-time in 1969, he established himself not only as one of our foremost commentators but also as a cult figure in our national life. In A Game of Two Halves, Archie Macpherson gives us his unique perspective on his life and career. As well as brilliant anecdotes including his battles with Jock Stein, friendship and a spectacular falling out with Alex Ferguson, interviewing Terry Wogan in LA in a Jacuzzi in an open- top limousine and the Scotland football manager who took delivery of a plain white envelope, Archie Macpherson also tackles tough issues like sectarianism, the sad decline of commercial television and the future of the beautiful game. A Game of Two Halves is a candid, entertaining and thought provoking autobiography which brings Archie Macpherson's story and his passion for football to life with all his characteristic insight, humour and honesty.
£15.29
Bonnier Books Ltd What's It All About Ralphie: The Ralph Milne
Book SynopsisRalph Milne was born in Dundee and lived out many a young footballer's dream. On leaving school he signed for Dundee United and gradually forced his way into a team full of great players. With electrifying pace and exceptional talent he quickly established himself as a fans' favourite, producing some dazzling performances at home and on the highest of European stages. He was part of the legendary team which defied all the odds to win the Scottish Premier Division in 1983. However, behind the scenes his volatile relationship with manager Jim McLean culminated in him leaving for Charlton. After unhappy spells there and at Bristol City he made a dream move to Alex Ferguson's Man United. Ralph struggled to produce his stunning performances of old and retired a few years later. Many believe he could and should have done so much more but a personal battle with alcohol probably decided otherwise. In the eyes of Dundee United fans he will always be a legend and was inducted into the club's Hall Of Fame earlier this year. This is his remarkable story.
£7.59
Bonnier Books Ltd Willie Miller's Aberdeen Dream Team
Book SynopsisWillie Miller is an Aberdeen legend. In a glittering career he won every domestic honour, played in two World Cup Finals for Scotland and led Aberdeen to victory in the 1983 European Cup Winners' Cup. He played with and against some of the greatest footballers of all time and now selects his Aberdeen Dream Team of the greatest players ever to pull on the famous red jersey. In Willie Miller's Aberdeen Dream Team there's serious competition for every position and Willie's choices are sure to spark debate. Willie has also invited some well-known Dons fans - Ally Begg, Chris Cusiter, Richard Gordon, Buff Hardie, Paul Lawrie, James Naughtie and Jack Webster - to contribute their own dream teams to see if they take issue with his own selections. Packed full of facts and anecdotes about the club's greatest heroes, Willie Miller's Aberdeen Dream Team is a fascinating and entertaining read for Dons fans of all ages. But will you agree with Willie's selections and the reasons he chose them?
£10.44
Bonnier Books Ltd There's Only One Sauzee: When Le God Graced
Book SynopsisWhen Alex McLeish persuaded European legend Franck Sauzée to sign for Hibernian Football Club in February 1999, it was the club's biggest coup since the signing of George Best. Many people questioned the Gallic Great's motivations, afraid that he was merely coming to pick up his salary and quietly see out his distinguished career. They could not have been more wrong. From his very first game, Franck Sauzée embraced the Hibs culture and quickly won over the fans. He proved that he was still a great footballer and helped to lead his new team from the mediocrity of the Scottish First Division back to the heights of the Scottish Premier League. Sauzée became club captain, inspired his team mates, scored many unforgettable goals, took Hibs to a Scottish Cup Final and became a club legend. An ill-fated spell as the club's manager saw the end of Sauzée's Hibernian career, but he left the club as one of its best loved and most revered players. Now Ted Brack takes fans behind the scenes to document the highs and lows of the days when Le God graced Easter Road. With inside stories from directors, managers, players and supporters, this is a must-read book for Hibs fans of all ages who still treasure the memory of Franck Sauzée, Hibernian superstar.
£999.99
Bonnier Books Ltd Gordon Smith: Prince of Wingers
Book Synopsis"Gordon Smith: Prince of Wingers" is a biographical story recounting the life of legendary footballer Gordon Smith written by his son Tony. One of the 'Famous Five', Gordon Smith won the league with Hibernian on three separate occasions during an eighteen-year-long glittering career with the club. With Heart of Midlothian he won another league medal as well as a League Cup medal, followed by yet another championship medal with Dundee. He represented his country on thirty-nine separate occasions, captaining them three times. His mesmeric skills and grace gave joy to many football fans, not only during his time with the Leith club, but also whilst playing for Heart of Midlothian, Dundee and Scotland. The book itself describes Gordon's life from humble beginnings in backstreet alleys kicking stones in place of a football to the stature of becoming one of the most naturally gifted players in the history of British football - whilst giving readers a unique insight into the life of this very private man.
£7.59
Bonnier Books Ltd Slim Jim: Simply the Best
Book SynopsisJim Baxter - the legendary 'Slim Jim' - was arguably Scotland's greatest-ever footballer, a left-footed genius who became a Rangers icon and helped Scotland humiliate world champions England at Wembley in 1967 - with some famous keepie-uppie along the way. And although much has been written about Slim Jim over the years, the real story behind his life is now revealed for the first time. When Jim Baxter joined Rangers in 1960 for a record fee of £17,500, he quickly proved his worth, helping the team to ten trophies over the next five years. It was the start of a glittering career and a hard-drinking, hard-living lifestyle in the big city, where he fully enjoyed the fruits of his success. But behind the glamour on and off the park, Jim Baxter hid a secret that would torment him for most of his life, a secret he only discovered the full truth about when he was fifty years old. What is beyond doubt is that Slim Jim Baxter will forever be revered for his unbelievable footballing talent. He will also be remembered for his ability to live life to the full and beyond. But had he uncovered the truth earlier about the family secret that left him shattered, the life of this footballing genius might have been very different both on and off the pitch.
£9.49
Bonnier Books Ltd Big Jock: The Real Jock Wallace
Book SynopsisJock Wallace wasn't just one of Scotland's outstanding football managers - he was a legend. A larger-than-life character, a giant of a man and a real-life hero, Wallace lived an extraordinary life. Though only an average goalkeeper who never made it as a player, he lived the football dream when he went on to manage Rangers twice, winning a whole host of trophies, including two Trebles in three seasons in the mid-seventies. But the road to the top was a tough one for big Jock, including a spell as a jungle fighter with the King's Own Scottish Borderers in war-torn Malaya, and in his fifties he was struck down by Parkinson's disease. In the end, the strain proved too much even for Wallace and he died of a heart attack aged only sixty-two. In this fascinating biography, David Leggat, one of the few journalists who was close to Big Jock, tells his incredible story.
£9.49
D.C.Thomson & Co Ltd Jim Mclean Dundee United Legend
Book SynopsisJames Yuill McLean is the architect of one of the greatest achievements in Scottish football history. Winning the League with Dundee United should not have been possible. Taking United to a European Cup (now the Champions' League) Semi-Final was incredible. Steering a club from Scotland's fourth-largest city to the UEFA Cup Final (beating Barcelona twice along the way) should have been the stuff of comic fiction. But Jim did it.His achievements deserve recognition.This book is a picture-led record of a man with a gift for recognising talented players, improving them, and playing them in a system that made the name of Dundee United famous around the world. It contains interviews with his players and managerial peers, as well as never-before-seen photos from newspaper and magazine archives.It also contains the thoughts and family photos of Jim's wife, Doris, who gives her insights on the unseen, private side of the man every Dundee United supporter regards as almost a deity, but who she knew as a husband.The book also looks at Jim's playing career, his stints with Clyde, Kilmarnock and Dundee, and pictures him in the same teams as his brothers Willie and Tommy. It also has a chapter on the campaign to erect a statue to Jim, with the thoughts of the fund-raising committee, and the various stages in the creation of the statue by sculptor Alan Herriot.Perhaps most importantly, the book contains tributes from ordinary Dundee United supporters. A media campaign was launched asking supporters to email in their tributes to Jim, and these warm and often funny tributes are carried in the book.It is a celebration of a great man.
£18.04
Veloce Publishing Ltd Driven by Desire The Desir Wilson story The
Book Synopsis
£19.99
Veloce Publishing Ltd A Chequered Life Graham Warner and The Chequered
Book Synopsis
£24.00
Birlinn General Cassius X: A Legend in the Making
Book SynopsisNow a Major Feature Length Documentary: 'Cassius X: Becoming Ali’ (Cinema release Spring 2023) Miami, 1963. A young boy from Louisville, Kentucky, is on the path to becoming the greatest sportsman of all time. Cassius Clay is training in the 5th Street Gym for his heavyweight title clash against the formidable Sonny Liston. He is beginning to embrace the ideas and attitudes of Black Power, and firebrand preacher Malcolm X will soon become his spiritual adviser. Thus Cassius Clay will become ‘Cassius X’ as he awaits his induction into the Nation of Islam. Cassius also befriends the legendary soul singer Sam Cooke, falls in love with soul singer Dee Dee Sharp and becomes a remarkable witness to the first days of soul music. As with his award-winning soul trilogy, Stuart Cosgrove’s intensive research and sweeping storytelling shines a new light on how black music lit up the sixties against a backdrop of social and political turmoil – and how Cassius Clay made his remarkable transformation into Muhammad Ali.Trade Review'Cassius X is a delightful ride in a cherry-red Cadillac, with soul music on the radio and a steady hand at the wheel. A thoroughly enjoyable journey' -- Jonathan Eig, author of Ali: A Life'Crisply written, fast-paced, and original, this book surges with the kind of effervescence we have long associated with a young Cassius Clay ... Filled with colourful details, with a learned eye toward the music of the era, Cassius X hits all the right notes' -- Michael Ezra, author of Muhammad Ali: The Making of an Icon'An exciting trip through the urban worlds of boxing, soul music, and crime, as Cassius Clay joins the Nation of Islam, becomes Muhammad Ali, and ascends the ranks of boxing to become World Heavyweight Champion during the early 1960s' -- Lewis Erenberg, author of The Rumble in the Jungle'There are many books about Muhammad Ali, but none like Stuart Cosgrove's Cassius X ... The book is a deeply personal look at one of 'The Greatest' public figures of the last one hundred years and is a model of how biographies of African Americans should be written' -- Ray Winbush, author of Belinda’s Petition: A Concise History of Reparations for the Transatlantic Slave Trade'Fascinating ... a different take on its subject, like a wayward B-side of a highly familiar tune' * Scotsman *'A vivid, knowing close-up of a crucial year in the life of boxing’s most iconic figure' * Kirkus *'Stuart Cosgrove's deep research and very human storytelling highlights how black music lit up the Sixties against a backdrop of political turmoil - and how Cassius Clay began his remarkable transformation into Muhammad Ali winning the world heavyweight title from scratch three times in the process' * Harrogate Advertiser *'You can almost smell the liniment and sweat and hear the classic songs of Tamla Motown when you start reading Mr Cosgrove’s work Cassius X... a compelling reminder of why he [Muhammad Ali] made such an impression' * Dundee Courier *'An engrossing and revelatory read.. and a great playlist. You do not have to be a fan of boxing or soul music to love this book' -- Val McDermid at Edinburgh International Book Festival'A benediction of a book about the early years of the sporting deity. Cassius X is a unique take – no easy feat when faced with an athlete who has been embalmed in books over the decades' * Sunday Times *'Equivalent to a biopic which portrays the fast-moving 1960s social, political and cultural scene and gives a fascinating insight into a lesser-known part of the legendary champion's life' * Dundee Courier *'A riveting profile of one of the world’s greatest sportsmen and the world he moved in' * Herald *'No ordinary tale of the life of The Greatest. Tells the story of the many social forces that shaped the life of the former world champion' * Press & Journal *'A terrifically fresh insight into sport’s greatest superstar' * The Scotsman, Best Sports Books of 2020 *'Another belter from The Soul Trilogy author... shines a light on how black music lit up politically turbulent 1960s America' * Sunday Post *
£17.09
Pitch Publishing Ltd KP: Cricket Genius
Book SynopsisOnce the opinionated, party-going socialite, complete with celebrity girlfriends and ridiculous haircuts, Kevin Pietersen has developed into the biggest crowd pleaser in English cricket, some would say modern sport. This fascinating and well-researched biography draws on interviews with Pietersen and those who know him best, including many of his mentors, team-mates and opponents. As Pietersen prepares for his biggest challenge yet - leading England's attempt to regain the Ashes from Australia - this unique appraisal tells, for the first time, the full story behind Britain's most exhilarating and successful sportsman.Trade ReviewA Must, not just for all KP fans, but for all cricket fans. 4/5 - Shropshire Star
£5.29
