Football variants and related games Books

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Book Synopsis*WINNER OF THE WILLIAM HILL SPORTS BOOK OF THE YEAR*Fever Pitch is Nick Hornby''s million-copy-selling, award-winnning football classic''A spanking 7-0 away win of a football book. . . inventive, honest, funny, heroic, charming'' IndependentFor many people watching football is mere entertainment, to some it''s more like a ritual; but to others, its highs and lows provide a narrative to life itself. But, for Nick Hornby, his devotion to the game has provided one of few constants in a life where the meaningful things - like growing up, leaving home and forming relationships, both parental and romantic - have rarely been as simple or as uncomplicated as his love for Arsenal.Brimming with wit and honesty, Fever Pitch, catches perfectly what it really means to be a football fan - and in doing so, what it means to be a man.''Hornby has put his finger on truths that have been unspoken for geTrade ReviewFunny, wise and true—Roddy Doyle

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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Book SynopsisThe extraordinary story of John Kendall-Carpenter â captain of the England rugby team, educationalist and godfather to the Rugby World Cup.

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Book SynopsisScrum Queens charts the fascinating journey of women's rugby, from widespread social disapproval to the modern era of Olympic recognition and professionalism. This meticulously researched book features all the major moments in women's rugby and celebrates the pioneers and players who have made the game what it is today.

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Book SynopsisUPDATED TO INCLUDE THE 2021/22 SEASON THE INSTANT SUNDAY TIMES TOP TEN BESTSELLERThe behind-the-scenes story of the Marcelo Bielsa revolution at Leeds United and their first season back in the Premier League after sixteen years of hurt.FEATURING FRESH PERSONAL INSIGHT FROM MARCELO BIELSAOn 27th February 2022, after 170 matches in charge, promotion to the Premier League and some of the most exhilarating football the English game has ever seen, Leeds United parted company with their most beloved and successful manager in a generation: Marcelo Bielsa. His parting gift was to embrace the crowds of adoring fans who turned up to say thank you as he left the club's training ground for the final time.In And it was Beautiful, The Athletic's Phil Hay chronicles Leeds United's glorious first season back in the top flight - which saw them finish ninth - after a chaotic sixteen-year absence. Phil pulls back the curtain on the hallmarks that now define the Marcelo Bielsa era, from his gruelling training schedule - including his infamous 'murderball' sessions - to innovative tactical methods that elevated Championship regulars into Premier League stars. Bielsa performed miracles, turning football into high art and making an extraordinary cultural impact on the city of Leeds. The result is a unique and fitting tribute to a Leeds United icon.

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Book SynopsisThe Twentieth Anniversary Edition*WINNER OF THE WILLIAM HILL SPORTS BOOK OF THE YEAR* Fever Pitch is Nick Hornby's million-copy-selling, award-winnning football classic'A spanking 7-0 away win of a football book. . . inventive, honest, funny, heroic, charming' IndependentFor many people watching football is mere entertainment, to some it's more like a ritual; but to others, its highs and lows provide a narrative to life itself. But, for Nick Hornby, his devotion to the game has provided one of few constants in a life where the meaningful things - like growing up, leaving home and forming relationships, both parental and romantic - have rarely been as simple or as uncomplicated as his love for Arsenal.'Hornby has put his finger on truths that have been unspoken for generations' Irish TimesBrimming with wit and honesty, Fever Pitch, catches perfectly what it really means to be a football fan - and in doinTrade ReviewFunny, wise and true -- Roddy Doyle

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Book SynopsisSince it's first publication, Rugby's Great Split has established itself as a classic in the field of sport history. Drawing on an unprecedented range of sources, this deeply researched and highly readable book traces the social, cultural and economic divisions that led, in 1895, to schism in the game of rugby and the creation of rugby league, the sport of England's northern working class. Tony Collins' analysis challenges many of the conventional assumptions about this key event in rugby history about class conflict, amateurism in sport, the North-South divide, violence on the pitch, the development of mass spectator sport and the rise of football. This new edition is expanded to cover parallel events in Australia and New Zealand, and to address the key question of rugby league's failure to establish itself in Wales. Rugby's Great Split is a benchmark text in the history of rugby, and an absorbing case study of wider issues issues of class, gender,Trade Review"Tony Collins shows in this major work that there are reasons behind [rugby league] developing the way that it did and that they are reasons as honourable as those behind the rise of any other form of working class self-expression. It should be compulsory reading for anyone who believes that the game more than a hundred years later is merely about competing for the same shiny suits and corporate contracts."Book of the Week, The Independent, 15th June 1998"This year's literary outpourings are dominated again by the lustre of bygone days, pre-summer and Super League. The pick is Rugby's Great Split, by Tony Collins ... who asks why there are two forms of rugby, and ends up with a celebration of the game's traditions and passions in answering that rugby's schism in 1895 actually defined the class barriers.Rugby league was shaped in the spirit of defiance and Collins, successfully treading between social history lessons and good storytelling, lends weight to a truth not universally acknowledged: that little has changed in a century when the game remains wedded to an expansionist theory that has never quite succeeded."Christopher Irvine, The Times, 22nd December 1998"This book is a landmark in the history and historiography of Rugby League and of rugby in general."Robert Gate, League Express, 4th May 1998"... replete with hundreds of footnotes, a comprehensive bibliography and extensive appendices, it is primarily aimed at academic consumption. None of that should put off the ordinary reader, however, for the book is written in a lively narrative way which will engross and inform all who take an interest in the whys and hows of the evolution of both codes of rugby. The scope of this work borders on the monumental."Robert Gate, League Express, 4th May 1998"Rugby's Great Split will undoubtedly supersede all other works on the origins of Rugby League. I have little doubt that it will become THE standard work on the early development of rugby itself."Robert Gate, League Express, 4th May 1998"A few months ago the librarian at Twickers phoned me to say that he had read Tony Collins' thesis and at last he understood why Rugby League people often took the belligerent stance they do in regard to his own game's absurd treatment of theirs. It is hard to think of a more eloquent recommendation for buying Rugby's Great Split." Robert Gate, League Express, 4th May 1998"Tony Collins has now produced what could be classed the definitive version ... he has written a serious account of both the actual mechanics of the [1895] split and, perhaps more importantly, the social aspects. ... Rugby's Great Split is one of the finest books ever to be written about Rugby and Tony Collins deserves great credit for his work."Sports Collector, July 1998"The author of this book has done a great service to the field with this fine book that places the split between Rugby-Football Union and the Northern Union (now called "rugby league") into its historical context. General readers might mistakenly be put off by the book's apparent topic, an esoteric exploration of the 1890s rugby schism; however, this work is much broader than that and would be interesting to anyone interested in class and culture in turn-of-the-century Britain. In the tradition of the best sport history, Tony Collins rescues the rugby league's history from the hands of hagiographic club secretaries and places it firmly in the mainstream of cultural and social history. Moreover, Collins brings new light to a tale that sport historians and rugby fans most likely believe they already know."Patrick F McDevitt, Rowan University, Historian, Fall 2000Rugby World - colour review -"..an authorative look at the historical basis on which today"s rugby survives it ia an excellent contribution."Independent on Sunday - "Rugby"s Great Split brilliantly records the early years when rugby and football emerged from the public schools and seduced the working calsses, prompting the class tensions which led two games played exclusivelyby gentlemen to confront professionalism. This is a fine read which intelligently probes the connections between social calss and sport which still holds sway today."The Independent - "It is the most detailed and perceptive account yet of the events around the great schism."Financial Times - " The outstanding historical work was Tony Collins"s Rugby"s Great Split definitive on the 1895 schism between the two rugby codes."The Times -"...Collins, successfully treading between social history lessons and good storytelling, lends weight to truth not universally acknowledged: that little has changed in a century when the game ren=mains wedded to an expansionist theory that has never quite succeeded."The Final Hooter - feature that book won the Aberdare Book PrizeTotal Rugby League - "... a truly brilliant book, and a real eye-opener. Don"t be put off by the scholarly title either. "Rugby"s Great Split" is readily accessible, you don"t need a PhD to read it, and it"s a real must for anyone even remotely interested in this great game"s heritage, and wondering how we got where we are today."Sydney League News- " A ground-breaking work on the subject, this fascinating volume is probably the most important rugby league book of the year"Sports Collector- " Rugby"s Great Split is one of the finest books ever to be written about Rugby and Tony Collins deserves great credit for his work"St Helen"s Star/ Sport Journal/Yorkshire Post/Open RugbyBulletin of the Rugby League Collectors" Federation- " Tony Collins adds ...a large amount of very interesting detail which is so well presented that you can almost at times be transfered back to those exciting days of Victorian Rugby Football"Loosehead Magazine- interview with Tony Collins- " Quite simply, it is the rugby league book of the year, and possibly one of the best ever written on the code"League Express- " This book is a landamrk in the history and historiography of Rugby League and of rugby in general"Albion-" This is a book that is grounded firmly in the seconday literature and draws on a wide variety of primary sources. Collins understands the difference between theory and empirically based conclusions. His straightforward prose shows how the sport(s) changed and draws important links between that and the changing nature of Empire, trade unionism, as well as attitudes towards local pride and masculine behaviour""The author of this book has done a great service to the field with this fine book that places the split between Rugby-Football Union and the Northern Union into its historical context."The HistorianPraise for the previous edition:'The outstanding historical work … definitive on the 1895 schism between the two rugby codes.'- Financial Times'This book is a landmark in the history and historiography of rugby league and of rugby in general.' - Rugby League ExpressTable of ContentsList of Illustrations. Series Editor's Foreword. Preface to the Second Edition. Introduction 1. From Folk Football to Civic Pride: Origins to 1879 2. The Coming of the Working Class: 1879-1886 3. 'King Football': 1886-1893 4. Schism: 1893-1895 5. The Rise and Decline of the Northern Union: 1895-1905 6. A Revolution in Rugby: 1905-1910 Conclusion: The Northern Union and Working Class Culture. Appendices. Bibliography. Index

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Book SynopsisThe extraordinary, life-affirming autobiography of DODDIE WEIR Rugby legend and MND campaigner Doddie Weir has always lived life to the full. On the pitch, Doddie’s irresistible talent took him to the heart of every team he graced – from Stewart’s Melville to Melrose, Newcastle Falcons to Borders, from Scotland to the British & Irish Lions – winning 61 caps over a decade of appearances for his national side. He won fans all over the world with his sportsmanship, humour and boundless energy – especially when on the charge ‘like a mad giraffe’. Then, in June 2017, Doddie made the announcement that he had been diagnosed with MND. With no cure and almost no treatment of any sort available, Doddie set out to do what he could to change that, tackling the issue head on with his trademark positivity and good humour. Since then, his MY NAME’5 DODDIE Foundation has raised and pledged millions towards research into this dreadful condition and his tireless campaigning has transcended the world of sport. MY NAME’5 DODDIE is a humbling, courageous and very funny celebration of a remarkable life being lived to the max. And with a brand new update, this is an absolute must-read – rugby fan or not.Trade ReviewLucid, brave, and full of the wit and character that makes him the legend he is * Rory Bremner *

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Book SynopsisWinner of Best New Play at the Olivier Awards 2024 It's time to change the game.The country that gave the world football has since delivered a painful pattern of loss. Why can't England's men win at their own game?The team has the worst track record for penalties in the world and manager Gareth Southgate knows he needs to open his mind and face up to the years of hurt to take team and country back to the promised land.James Graham's rousing new play' (Tatler) is a fast-moving portrayal of Gareth Southgate's reign as England football manager that presents a gripping examination of both nation and game. Uplifting, funny and more entertaining than a World Cup final.This edition was published to coincide with the West End transfer of Dear England in October 2023, following its world premiere at the National Theatre in June 2023.

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Book SynopsisMeet Kieran Trippier - Ultimate Football Hero. Kieran Trippier is the boy from Bury whose free-kick skills earned him the nickname 'The Bury Beckham'. His determined defending and amazing goal-scoring have made him a Tottenham Hotspur hero - and, at the 2018 World Cup, his dramatic goal against Croatia almost earned England a place in the World Cup Final. The sky is the limit for England's new flying full-back, and now you can read the exciting story of his journey. Ultimate Football Heroes is a series of biographies telling the life-stories of the biggest and best footballers in the world and their incredible journeys from childhood fan to super-star professional player. Written in fast-paced, action-packed style these books are perfect for all the family to collect and share.

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Book SynopsisIn order to maximise their performance in training and in matches, rugby players need to understand the importance of energy and nutrients and their role in the working of the body. It is also vitally important that they make appropriate food choices and that they eat and drink those foods in the correct quantities. This informative book clearly explains which foods and fluids, when consumed in the right amounts at the correct times, will help players perform to the best of their ability.

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Book SynopsisHere are Scottish rugby’s most legendary, celebratory and brilliant moments from the last 50 years. 100 Great Scottish Rugby Moments is a unique celebration of the sport’s most significant moments. Including: • Andy Irvine’s kick to beat England in 1974 • The 1984 Grand Slam • David Sole, Tony Stanger and the 1990 Grand Slam • Toony, Paris and that pass • The great Bill McLaren’s final commentary • Doddie Weir’s Big Entry • The 2019 Calcutta Cup – a match like no other . . . These epic moments feature exclusive interviews with Gregor Townsend, Jim Telfer, Ian Robertson, Ian McLauchlan, Andy Irvine, Alan Lawson, Iain Milne, Jim Calder, John Rutherford, Finlay Calder, Craig Chalmers, David Sole, Tony Stanger, Scott Hastings, Gavin Hastings, Doddie Weir, Rob Wainwright, Gary Armstrong, Kenny Logan, Bryan Redpath, Chris Paterson, Al Kellock, Sean Maitland and many others. Enjoy a host of brilliant anecdotes and remarkable insights into the controversies, epic matches, thrilling contests and pivotal events on and off the field which shaped these 100 GREAT SCOTTISH RUGBY MOMENTS.

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Book SynopsisIf you're new to the sport or you feel you could sharpen up your knowledge of the game, this guide is for you.Table of ContentsIntroduction 1 Part I: Rugby: Roots, Boots and All 7 Chapter 1: Rudimentary Rugby 9 Chapter 2: The Aim of the Game 19 Chapter 3: Grab Your Rugby Gear 35 Part II: Getting Down and Dirty 45 Chapter 4: Location, Location, Location: Positions on the Pitch 47 Chapter 5: Laying Down the Laws 63 Chapter 6: Honing Your Skills 83 Chapter 7: Breaking Down the Breakdown 107 Chapter 8: Leaping Lineouts 123 Chapter 9: Talking Tactics 135 Chapter 10: Talented Training 151 Chapter 11: Coaching 167 Part III: Welcome to Planet Rugby 183 Chapter 12: The World Cup 185 Chapter 13: The International Scene 201 Chapter 14: Magnificent Sevens 217 Chapter 15: Home and Away 227 Chapter 16: The Domestic Scene 243 Part IV: Following the Game: The Informed Fan 255 Chapter 17: Compulsive Viewing: Rugby on the Screen 257 Chapter 18: Keeping Up with the News 269 Chapter 19: Spectating and Sobriquets 281 Part V: The Part of Tens 293 Chapter 20: The Ten Best British Players of All Time 295 Chapter 21: Ten Matches Made in Rugby Heaven 305 Chapter 22: Ten Peculiar Facts About Rugby 315 Part VI: Appendixes 325 Appendix A: Honour Boards 327 Appendix B: Glossary 347 Appendix C: Key Rugby Organisations 361 Index 367

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Book SynopsisDrawing on first-hand accounts from several players and original research, respected rugby writer Chris Schoeman marks the 50th anniversary of this controversial tour remembered as much for politics as for rugby.

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Book SynopsisFully updated to contain Sir Ian McGeechan''s reflections on the 2017 Lions tour to New Zealand. 2017 saw the latest contest between the British Lions and New Zealand - the ultimate rugby clash between the northern and southern hemisphere. Ian McGeechan is the ''Ultimate Lion'', and no one could have done more than McGeechan to promote the magic of the Lions. McGeechan played for the Lions in their unbeaten 1974 tour of South Africa, and again in the 1977 tour of New Zealand. Subsequently he has been the head coach on four Lions tours. In this unique and fascinating book which celebrates the immensity of rugby at the top level, Ian McGeechan uses his own coaching notes to provide his special insight and background into what it means to be a Lion. By looking at various themes such as selection, how to create the right environment and how to build the players into what he describes as ''Test-match animals'' the reader learns how some of the most successf

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Book SynopsisEngland's head coach tells the gripping story of how he took the national side to victory in the 2003 Rugby World Cup in this fully revised and updated paperback.Trade ReviewHis first day in the job of England coach is superbly described, and thereafter he is forever going the extra yard to make his team great. * The Sunday Times *There is much more to the man than single-minded determination. * Sunday Telegraph *To the hardened rugby fan, it is incisive and required reading. To anyone involved in sports coaching or administration, regardless of the sport or level of competition, 'Winning!' is essential reading. * Yorkshire Post *Very different to pretty much any sporting autobiography on the market... Fascinating. * Daily Express *Entertaining and informative. * The Sun *The best feature of the book is that the essential Woodward comes through so strongly. * The Sunday Times sports books of the year *

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Book SynopsisA talented yet ferocious player, and one of the acknowledged 'bad-boys' of rugby, Mark Jones' on-field brutality was a direct consequence of the off-field torment he suffered with a debilitating stammer. In Fighting to Speak, his revealing and uplifting autobiography, Jones explains how his frustration with his stutter led to a self-loathing and the internalising of an explosive hate that only playing rugby could release - with his unfortunate opponents often on the receiving end of his rage. Sent off six times and banned for over 33 weeks for violent conduct during his career, the dual-code Wales international and Great Britain RL forward was desperately unhappy and detested the thuggish reputation he'd created. After one exceptionally ugly incident, when he broke another player's eye socket, Jones realised that in order to defeat his demons and control his bad behaviour he needed help to conquer his stammer. Mark Jones fought and won the hardest battle of his life with a steely determination and has now found the inner peace and dignity he'd longed for as a young man. He has decided to tell his story in order to seek redemption for his violent past on the rugby field, and to help others overcome their stammers.Trade Review'We were all aware about Mark's stammer but it didn't make any difference to me. He is a top bloke and a great rugby player, and to me that's perfection.' Rowland Phillips;'People who didn't know Mark thought he was just an aggressive thug - but to those who know him, he is a kind-hearted, gentle and compassionate man.' Byron Hayward;'I have nothing but the highest respect for Mark. His stammer did not make life easy for him and challenged his mental health, but his immense strength of character saw him beat his demons and win his battles.' Jim MillsTable of ContentsAcknowledgements Preface by Glyn Llewellyn Foreword by Kingsley Jones 1. Personality Crisis (x3) 2. Stand Up! (Banged Up!) 3. I'm an Upstart(er) 4. Teenage Kick(ing)s 5. (Playing With) The Rude Boys 6. Neat(h)! Neat(h)! Neat(h)! 7. Rockaway (Miami) Beach 8. Anarchy in the U(Know who) 9. Psycho (Thriller 10. 'A' Bomb in (Twickers) 11. Working for (the Let-Down) 12. Looking After Number(8) 13. Highway to (Hull) 14. Smash It Up! (Bash It Up!) 15. (Hitting Rucks) and Alcohol 16. (Pooler) UEber Alles 17. Holidays in the (Qatar) Sun Epilogue Career Statistics

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Book SynopsisLooking at all forty-six Tests that have taken place since the nineteenth century, respected rugby writers Chris Schoeman and David McLennan look at one of the greatest rivalries in sport ahead of the 2021 Lions tour to South Africa.

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Book SynopsisThe side-splittingly hilarious new book from Sunday Times bestselling author, rugby icon, and stag do in human form, James Haskell.

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Book SynopsisStep back in time to the thrilling year of 1912, where rugby forged its indomitable spirit, and a legendary team emerged to win all five of the international matches they played.

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Book SynopsisBring the excitement of rugby right to your desktop with this fun miniature set. This mini kit includes everything you need to play the game -- a goal, ball, tee, flag, and mini pair of boots. Also included is a 32-page book on the history and rules of the game.

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Book SynopsisThe long-awaited memoir from international football ambassador, former co-owner of Arsenal FC and legend of the game: David Dein. There''s no doubt that Dein has been one of the most significant and influential figures in British football for over three decades - operating at club and international level. He was a prime mover in the creation of the Premier League, hugely influential within the England set-up and, of course, was the mastermind - along with Arsène Wenger - in creating the glory days of Arsenal Football Club, leading the team for almost a quarter of a century. Connected to the most senior figures across the global game as a friend, rival, advisor, and collaborator, Dein has been central to major turning points in the game.Calling the Shots is part memoir, part inspirational meditation on leadership, teamwork and how to invest in people. It tracks the full story of David''s remarkable life and career to date, recounting never-before-told stories from the inside, intriguing characters met along the way, and discussing the past, present and future of football. An entertaining and motivational read for football and non-football fans alike, Calling the Shots is a dynamic masterclass in how to succeed in business and life.Trade ReviewA man I like to call my father - football royalty * Ian Wright *Without David Dein there wouldn't have been a Premier League * Greg Dyke *Mr Dein will always be Mr Arsenal * Thierry Henry *If you want to know how to run a football club, ask David Dein * Baroness Karren Brady CBE *David is one of the most influential executives in world football. I was always in admiration of the work he did at Arsenal . . . success delivered with class. * Gareth Southgate *An Arsenal fan who became its owner, its saviour and later its martyr * Guardian *The book is a treasure trove of anecdotes * City AM *Absolutely loved it! So many great stories . . . and such a vivid reminder of just how vital David was to our great club and how much we've missed him. -- Piers Morgan

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Book SynopsisWhat separates the good from the truly great players? How do football managers get the best out of their team?How do you come back from a crushing defeat to win? In How to Win The Secret Footballer teams up with The Secret Psychologist to crack the secrets of success and share with us the tricks and tips that keep the best players at the top of their game. Exploring the winning mindset from confidence to concentration, exposing the successes, the failures and the frauds, this inspirational, funny and thought-provoking book will shock and entertain. And while most of us will never dribble like Messi or strike like Suarez, we can learn to think like them -- and aim to succeed at football, and at life.

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Book SynopsisIs there anyone who conducts themselves more decently than Gareth Southgate. Win, lose or draw, he is always dignified, measured, caring and affable, so shouldn't you... be more Gareth?Here are 100 scenarios, in which Gareth would behave with impeccable calmness, such as:Gareth would compliment you on your 'Rick Astley forever' tattoo.Gareth would never have a basket containing a 9th item in the 8-items-or-fewer queue.Gareth would let you watch a double-bill of 'Mama Mia' and 'The Greatest Showman' and appreciate your efforts at singing.The words 'diving foreigners', 'worst ref ever', or 'my asthmatic grandmother could have run faster', have never been part of his post-match interview.Perfect for the footy fan in your life, and publishing just ahead of the first winter World Cup in Qatar, Be More Gareth is the fun way to celebrate a thoroughly decent man!

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Book SynopsisMud, Blood and Studs is a special story of sporting excellence passed from generation to generation. An alcoholic father abandons his family in Troon, Scotland, and sails for America, but against the odds his offspring prosper, as his four boys have natural athletic ability. Oldest son, Jim, travels to America to track down his father and finds a country in the throes of the Great Depression. However, his superb soccer skills win him selection for the 1930 US World Cup team. In 1932, he signs for Manchester United, and later for Spurs. Jim passes his skills on to his son, George, who becomes a USA All-Star and USMNT player. Jim's brothers, John and Tom, shake up Scottish football, and John hands down his sublime hand-to-eye coordination to sons Peter and Gordon, who make their mark in international rugby. Then there are Peter and Gordon's cousins, the Lambies, who impact South African rugby. This fascinating book brings you the inside track on a remarkable family who overcame adversity to thrive at the top level of sport.

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Book SynopsisHellfire Awaits: 150 Years of Redruth RFC is a tale of mud and blood and frequent outbreaks of violence. Cornish rugby developed an uncompromising style of its own fuelled by traditional and often bitter local rivalries. It became Cornwall's champion club, carving out a reputation across and far beyond Cornwall.

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Book SynopsisHow do you make your dream job a reality? I have given career advice to thousands of aspiring sports and entertainment industry executives. I’ve been asked what makes you stand out? How do you impress when you don’t have anything particularly special to say? And why does no one respond to your emails? I have distilled everything I know into Build the Invisible, an accessible guide that outlines my philosophy and shows how investing in yourself – building your invisible foundations – leads to a successful and fulfilling career. I interviewed over 40 high-achieving business people about how they landed their current positions. And blending their experiences with my own insights, I created a roadmap that will get you to where you want to be.

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Book SynopsisThey all excited and inspired me by how they fought their corners […] So I want to place them all round a fantasy dinner-table, not just to dine, but to relive how I saw them in action and how much they had in common.Who would be on your dream dinner party guest list? Over his 50 years in broadcasting, Archie Macpherson has seen many sports personalities come and go; in Touching the Heights he collects the 13 who have inspired him most around his fantasy dinner table. Some are well-known, others less so, but all shaped both their sport and those, like Macpherson, who watched their careers unfold.Tommy Docherty · Jackie Paterson · Jim Baxter Eric Brown · Jimmy Johnstone · Sandra Whittaker Dr Richard Budgett · Ally MacLeod · Jock Stein · Sir Alex Ferguson · Bill McLaren · Jim MacLean · Graeme SounessFrom football to golf, boxing to athletics, Touching the Heights celebrates the breadth of Scottish sporting achievement. Whether telling the tale of a boy who acquired new shoes by stealing them from the local baths, or that of a distinguished medical scientist at the centre of sporting transgender debates, one thing unites them all: Without them life would have been much poorer.Trade ReviewFrom football to golf, boxing to athletics, Touching the Heights celebrates the breadth of Scottish sporting achievement. ANN FOTHERINGHAM, Glasgow Times

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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Book SynopsisAddresses the physical conditioning of rugby. This volume presents readers with training principles, an overview of the fundamentals of rugby, and an explanation of the physiological demands of the sport and how they impact on training.

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Book SynopsisScottish rugby has a long and glorious history, great players, great games, great memories. The progress of the game they play in heaven has been photographed all the way along its journey, and it is those photos that author Steve Finan has rooted out from dusty newspaper and magazine archives, and various other collections photos not seen for 40 or 50 years. Squarely aimed at the sports nostalgia market, the book contains around 200 photos of team line-ups, action shots, spectators, Sevens tournaments, and the grounds where the game was played. Readers will recognise the men on the field, remember the games they strived so hard in, and very probably see themselves among the crowds. Great care has been taken to show the game at all levels, from the world record crowd-setting Scotland-Wales match of 1975, to fun-in-the-sun Sevens tournaments on the summer circuit, and Orkney RFC anniversary celebrations. It's all here. The All Blacks tours are shown (the Haka looks just the same set against a backdrop of Aberdeen multi-storey flats as it does in a World Cup Final). The greats of the past are highlighted, as well as the weekend club rugger lads. This is Scottish rugby.

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Book SynopsisFeatures chapters on: Aston Villa, Barnsley, Birmingham City, Bolton Wanderers, Everton, Fulham, Liverpool, Manchester City, Queen's Park Rangers, Southampton, Swindon and Town Tottenham Hotspur. How much do you really know about the origin of your club? Would you like to read about it in fascinating detail? Few people are aware that, of the 41 clubs that have played in the FA Premier League since its inception in the 1992-3 season, 12 can trace their origin directly to a church. However, many of these 12 famous football clubs know little about their origins or founders. John Motson, the 'voice of football', writes in the Foreword: ‘This book sets the record straight. Drawing on original materials from a variety of sources, peter Lupson has been able to bring these pioneers to life and to transport us back to the time in which they lived. Their remarkable contribution to our great national game is at last given the recognition it deserves. We have good reason to thank God for them.'Trade Review"Imagine a soccer game like this: No referees, no free kicks, no penalty kicks. No wonder players gathered for a quick prayer before kickoff. I would never have known that without reading a fascinating book called Thank God for Football and hearing from the author Peter Lupson all about his 11-year odyssey through the history of many of England's original professional clubs." -- Richard Starnes * Ottawa Citizen *"Peter's book makes a fascinating reading, as much as a social commentary of the times as a history of football. I was glad to be in Soho Square on stinking hot night to celebrate its publication and commend "Thank God for Football" to you as a good read." -- Ian L. Johnson * Southampton Daily Echo *

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Book SynopsisRay Gravell was undoubtedly one of Wales and rugby's greatest characters. He touched the hearts of all who met him, and his sincere interest in everyone made you feel better after being in his company. This volume brings together touching and humorous anecdotes about him by friends and acquaintances.

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Book SynopsisBy 1971 no Lions team had ever defeated the All Blacks in a Test series. Since 1904, six Lions sides had travelled to New Zealand and all had returned home bruised, battered and beaten. But the 1971 tour party was different. It was full of young, ambitious and outrageously talented players who would all go on to carve their names into the annals of sporting history during a golden period in British and Irish rugby. And at their centre was Carwyn Jones – an intelligent, sensitive rugby mastermind who would lead his team into the game’s hardest playing arena while facing a ferocious, tragic battle in his personal life, all in pursuit of a seemingly impossible dream. Up against them was an All Blacks team filled with legends in the game in the likes of Colin Meads, Brian Lochore, Ian Kirkpatrick, Sid Going and Bryan Williams. But as the Lions swept through the provinces, lighting up the rugby fields of New Zealand the pressure began to mount on the home players in a manner never seen before. As the Test series loomed, it became clear that a clash that would echo through the ages was about to unfold. And at its conclusion, it was obvious to all that rugby would never be the same again.Trade Review'Brilliantly written – evocative, powerful and utterly gripping' * Rugby World *'Outstanding . . . On all sort of levels, it is a compelling read. The quality of the Lions backs, the coaching intelligence of Carwyn James, the shrewd management of Doug Smith, the growing Kiwi horror at what was unfolding: all of it feels strangely fresh, partly because it is so well told and partly because so much fascinating detail has lain untouched for ages' -- Robert Kitson * Guardian *'Special. Wondrous insights into the Lions' only New Zealand win ... loved it' -- Stephen Jones * The Sunday Times *'enthralling ... brilliantly chronicled through the eyes of those that were there' * Western Mail *'splendid ... not only for those of us well steeped in nostalgia, but of a wider and more immediate interest' * The Scotsman *

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Book Synopsis''A man I like to call my father - football royalty'' Ian Wright ''Without David Dein there wouldn''t have been a Premier League'' Greg Dyke ''Mr Dein will always be Mr Arsenal'' Thierry HenryThe long-awaited memoir from international football ambassador, former co-owner of Arsenal FC and legend of the game: David Dein.There''s no doubt that Dein has been one of the most significant and influential figures in British football for over three decades - operating at club and international level. He was a prime mover in the creation of the Premier League, hugely influential within the England set-up and, of course, was the mastermind - along with Arsène Wenger - in creating the glory days of Arsenal Football Club, leading the team for almost a quarter of a century. Connected to the most senior figures across the global game as a friend, rival, advisor, and collaborator, Dein has been central to major turning points in the game.Trade ReviewA man I like to call my father - football royalty * Ian Wright *Without David Dein there wouldn't have been a Premier League * Greg Dyke *Mr Dein will always be Mr Arsenal * Thierry Henry *If you want to know how to run a football club, ask David Dein * Baroness Karren Brady CBE *David is one of the most influential executives in world football. I was always in admiration of the work he did at Arsenal . . . success delivered with class. * Gareth Southgate *An Arsenal fan who became its owner, its saviour and later its martyr * Guardian *The book is a treasure trove of anecdotes * City AM *Absolutely loved it! So many great stories . . . and such a vivid reminder of just how vital David was to our great club and how much we've missed him. -- Piers Morgan

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Book SynopsisIn a nation of rugby heroes, Jamie Roberts has become a legend.Jamie Roberts is your quintessential hard man: a 6 foot 4, 17 stone slab of rippling muscle, conditioned to run hard into other huge men in an arena where physical dominance is the prime currency. Yet away from rugby, he's a mild-mannered and thoughtful man - a qualified doctor with a thirst for knowledge and a curiosity about the world around him. It's an intriguing contradiction.In his first full season with the Cardiff Blues he was picked by new Wales coach Warren Gatland in the Grand Slam-winning side of 2008. He was still establishing his position in the national team when he toured with the 2009 Lions, emerging as Player of the Series. He went on to win 97 Test caps and play for clubs in Paris, London and Cape Town, yet his career has seldom been straightforward. A fractured skull was one of many injuries he had to overcome, and from the start he had to juggle the competing demands of university life and professional rugby. The joy of Six Nations success with Wales was balanced by heartbreak in the World Cup and disappointment against southern-hemisphere teams, while major trophies at club level proved frustratingly elusive.In this colourful and frank account of a sterling career, Jamie Roberts reveals all about life on tour, in boot camps and in dressing rooms filled with once-in-a-generation characters such as Mike Phillips, Andy Powell, Shaun Edwards, Martyn Williams, Brian O'Driscoll and Johnny Sexton. He also shares his views on concussion in rugby, the failings of the professional structure in Wales and the vital role of old-school team-bonding.Trade ReviewDelves into his innermost emotions * Best Rugby Books 2021 *Roberts' autobiography, written with the excellent Ross Harries, is a compelling offering, packed with tales from a remarkable career including his relationship with Gatland and brushes with celebrities including Lana Del Rey and Bono in Monte Carlo * Telegraph *If Jamie Roberts achieved plenty on the pitch, few modern players have a wider-ranging story to tell off it . . . It is to the credit of the 35-year-old and his skilful "ghost" Ross Harries that Centre Stage: My Life in Rugby seamlessly weaves together all these contrasting threads * Guardian *Tells his private and professional story with candor and charm * Buzz Magazine *

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Book SynopsisRational Emotive Behaviour Therapy (REBT) is one of the most widely used counselling approaches in the world and is one of the original forms of Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT). Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy in Sport and Exercise is the first and only book to date to examine the use of REBT in sport and exercise. It brings together leading international experts and practitioners to reflect on the use of REBT in sport and exercise, and examine the techniques used. Each chapter contains a case study, contextualising theory into practice, giving a rare and detailed insight into the use of REBT across a diverse range of issues. Some of the topics covered include: the theory and practice of REBT REBT intervention for competition anxiety the use of REBT interventions in Paralympic soccer the use of REBT in managing injury and loss using REBT to address symptoms of exercise dependence REBT intervention to improve low frustTrade Review"Mental health issues in athletes is a growing area of concern. Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy in Sport and Exercise is a good book, that is well explained, evidence-based, and practical. Case-studies give a feel to how this therapy works in practice." Professor Andy Lane, HCPC Registered Psychologist, Director of Research Excellence and Associate Dean at the University of Wolverhampton, UK. "As a sport psychologist I use several frameworks to help sports participants manage themselves better in and out of the competitive arena. This book has become one of my go-to resources when I want to explore an REBT approach with a client. Each chapter offers evidence based solutions brought to life through case studies and an engaging text." Dan Abrahams, HCPC Registered sport psychologist, best-selling author, and host of The Sport Psych Show podcast."Mental health issues in athletes is a growing area of concern. Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy in Sport and Exercise is a good book, that is well explained, evidence-based, and practical. Case-studies give a feel to how this therapy works in practice." Professor Andy Lane, HCPC Registered Psychologist, Director of Research Excellence and Associate Dean at the University of Wolverhampton, UK. "As a sport psychologist I use several frameworks to help sports participants manage themselves better in and out of the competitive arena. This book has become one of my go-to resources when I want to explore an REBT approach with a client. Each chapter offers evidence based solutions brought to life through case studies and an engaging text." Dan Abrahams, HCPC Registered sport psychologist, best-selling author, and host of The Sport Psych Show podcast.Table of Contents1. The Use of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) in Sport and Exercise: An Introduction 2. The Theory and Practice of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) 3. A Short-Term Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) Intervention for Competition Anxiety with a Trampoline Gymnast 4. Anxiety, Unhealthy Jealousy, and Exercise Avoidance: A Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) Intervention 5. “It Will be the End of the World If We Don’t Win This Game”: Exploring the Use of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) Interventions in Paralympic Soccer 6. Managing Injury and Loss: The Use of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) with a Collegiate Football Player 7. The Use of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) to Address Symptoms of Exercise Dependence 8. Mixed Martial Arts and the Paradox Between Self-Improvement and Self-Acceptance: A Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) Intervention 9. The Use of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) with an Anxious Sub-Elite Fencer 10. Rebounding from Injury and Increasing Performance with Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) 11. A Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) Intervention to Improve Low Frustration Tolerance in an Elite Table Tennis Player 12. Applying Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) Resilience "Credos" with a South-East Asian Elite Squash Player 13. Delivering Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) Education in Youth Rugby Union 14. “Is it Really That Bad?”: A Case Study Applying Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) with an Elite Youth Tennis Player 15. “It’s the End of the World as We Know It (and I Feel Fine)”: The Use of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) to Increase Function and Reduce Irrational Beliefs of an Injured Athlete 16. Using Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) to Combat Performance-Debilitating Unhealthy Anxiety in an International Level Karateka

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Book Synopsis'I, Steven Paul Fenwick, have a revelation to make that may surprise many readers. My first international representative rugby union honours were playing for England. There I was, in the line-up up for the English national anthem, in full regalia and the red rose on my chest representing England. I know this may come as a shock and it still feels as odd now as it did all those years ago, but bear with me, don't judge me quite yet!' An icon of Welsh rugby and one of the stars of the great Wales team of the 1970s, Steve Fenwick won three Triple Crowns, two Grand Slams and played in all four Tests of the 1977 Lions tour to New Zealand. He is also one of the very few members of that illustrious team to not have told his story, until now. Witty and engaging with a very dry sense of humour, Steve Fenwick's autobiography tells the story of the schoolboy from Nantgarw who became one of the most celebrated players in the rugby world, and his hilarious anecdotes and recollections of a glittering career during a golden age of Welsh rugby will delight and enthral readers in Wales and beyond.Trade Review'A player I would go to war with.' JPR Williams; 'On and off the field there was no fiercer or more determined competitor.' Brynmor Williams; 'It was that marvellous quick pass from Fenwick that gave Phil Bennett that superb try.' Bill McLaren; 'One of the outstanding centres of the 1970s.' Willie John McBride; 'Steve was an exceptionally talented centre and a tremendous goal-kicker. If I had to pick a team, Steve would be an automatic choice in my rugby union and rugby league teams.' Tom David; 'One of the most unselfish players I ever played with, who possessed a golden match-winning talent for creating a last-minute try or taking long-range goal-kicks which inevitably split the posts.' Gareth Davies; 'Steve was a fine rugby footballer in both codes, a reliable kicker and solid in defence.' Jim MillsTable of ContentsForeword by Brynmor Williams Prologue 1. Wearing the Red Rose 2. Schoolboy 3. Taff's Well RFC 4. Working and Playing 5. Beddau 6. Bridgend 1974-77 7. Bridgend 1978-81 8. Start of international career 9. Wales 1976-77 10. 1978 Grand Slam and 'the Dive' 11. Playing for Wales 1979-81 12. Playing for the Lions 13. Invitational Rugby Tours 14. Crossing the Great Divide 15. My return to rugby 16. No more rugby - what now? Epilogue

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Book SynopsisSome Sports Stand the Test of Time.

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Book SynopsisAs the scorer of the only try in England''s historic World Cup victory in 2003, Jason Robinson''s career has scaled the peaks. Yet while his career has been statistically impressive -- with 37 tries in 102 starts for Sale, 22 tries in his 35 England appearances and a remarkable 11 tries in 10 Lions appearances -- it is perhaps for his character and personal achievements that Jason is best loved. As England''s first black Rugby Union captain. Jason has given what has in the past been regarded as a stuffy, public school game a much wider profile. Away from the pitch, Jason''s conversion from bad lad to religious family man has made him a role model and, while this part of his career has been well-chronicled little is known about the man behind the achievements -- his sense of fun, love of practical jokes and fast food in equal measure. Author Dave Swanton delves behind the public persona of Billy Whizz'', a nickname he acquired at Wigan in his Rugby League days. Swanton first saw Jason Robinson play for Wigan in 1992 while working for Warrington Wolves. When Dave later joined Wigan as PR man in 1998 their careers became inextricably linked. Their paths continued to be intertwined when Jason moved across to Rugby Union with Sale Sharks in 2000, shortly after Swanny became Media and PR Manager. For the last eight years Jason Robinson has called him his right hand man''. Together Swanny and Robbo have fuelled the rise of Sale from suburban Rugby Union club to a Premiership team challenging for European honours. When they joined, Sale were still adjusting to the demands of the newly professionalised game, playing before crowds of 3,000 at the quiet bonhomie of their Heywood Road home. 5 years on, the club groundshare with Stockport County, have seen their average gate rise to nearly 10,000 and regularly challenge for the top European and domestic honours. Jason''s subsequent disappointments with the England and Lions teams are also documented and only serve to throw into sharp relief his previous achievements. Yet Jason remains most famous for the dazzling side-steps that form the basis of his elusive running style. As Neil Squires of the Daily Express discovered when invited to tackle a rampant Robbo in training, One moment a rapidly approaching Jason Robinson is filling my vision, the next he is nowhere to be seen. There is no hole in the ground, no scorched grass, not even a sound as he vanishes. It''s like tackling a gust of wind. Robinson''s step, Rugby''s most watchable magic trick, is even more jaw dropping from the pitch than the stands. The balance and acceleration belong to one of the most highly tuned sports cars, the change of direction to a zigzag''.

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Book SynopsisGordon Strachan has had one of the most illustrious careers in modern football. As a player, he was the heartbeat of Alex Ferguson''s Aberdeen in the early 1980s, before being signed by Ron Atkinson to play for Manchester United. He captained Leeds to championship in the early 1990s, won 50 Scottish caps and went on to manage Coventry and Southampton. A former regular on Match of the Day, and one of the most honest and interesting voices on the game, he is now manager of Celtic.This book is a fascinating mix of both Gordon''s story and a brilliant analysis on the way the game is played and run. Refreshingly candid on everything from the stress and pressure managers are under to the players and bosses Gordon has worked with, this will be the one of the most explosive football books of 2007.Trade ReviewA frank, serious study of a career spent in the public eye . . . the most fulfilling of the year's football autobiographies * SCOTSMAN *Strachan emerges as that rare character in football: a man who can put the game in its proper perspective * OBSERVER *An insightful and interesting read . . . Essential reading * FOUR FOUR TWO *A frank and often wry take on British football * GLASGOW HERALD *

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Book SynopsisImagine a Springbok as a finished product coming off a factory assembly line. What are the components required? And what does it take for them to cohere into a successful team? Author Liz McGregor spent two years behind the scenes interviewing the players, coaches, wives and girlfriends, mothers and teachers. She also spoke to the Bok doctor and physiotherapist, the sponsors, brand managers and the logistics guy. And then theres the boss, the South African Rugby Union. What she discovered is as fascinating as it is complex: that parents play a crucial role, as do those early coaches and teachers who identify and nurture talent; that injury lurks behind every corner; that it takes incredible courage to go back onto the field to face another battering; and that the business of the Springboks is one that is both well and poorly managed, depending where you look. By the end of her journey, McGregor had developed a deep regard for the players and many of the people who work to put the best team South Africa can offer onto the field. Nelson Mandela showed how a Springbok team can unite a nation. But there are parts of the Springbok Factory that are in urgent need of repair or, indeed, replacement.Trade Review"This is the best, most insightful, book on Springbok rugby I have ever read." -- John Dobson, Western Province rugby coach "A must-read for any true rugby supporter." -- Nick Mallett

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