Pitch Publishing
Pitch Publishing Ltd Manchester United Minute by Minute: Covering More
Book SynopsisManchester United Minute by Minute takes you on a fantastic journey through the Reds' matchday history. Relive all the breathtaking goals, heroic penalty saves, sending offs and other memorable moments in this unique by-the-clock guide. From United's early years and successes to the days of domestic dominance and European glory, the book covers everything from the Sir Matt Busby and Ron Atkinson eras through to the reigns of Sir Alex Ferguson and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Revisit United's most spectacular modern feats and learn things you didn't know about the club's proud history. From goals scored in the opening seconds to those last-gasp extra-time winners that have thrilled generations of fans at Old Trafford and around the world, Manchester United Minute by Minute is packed with memorable moments. Read about the goals that secured many of the 20 top-flight titles, plus all the 'Fergie time' winners. From Law to Rashford, from Best to Rooney - all the club legends are here, with thrilling memories from kick-off to the final whistle.
£15.29
Pitch Publishing Ltd The Leeds United Collection: A History of the
Book SynopsisThe Leeds United Collection takes you on a fascinating multi-coloured journey through the club's history from 1919 to the present day. With stunning photos of unique match-worn Leeds shirts and other paraphernalia, the book tells the Whites' story alongside anecdotes, interviews and quotes from many big names. See home and away shirts worn by Leeds legends from various eras including Billy Bremner and Albert Johanneson, David Batty, Gary Speed, Peter Lorimer, Paul Madeley, Paul Reaney, Norman Hunter, Mick Jones, Allan Clarke, Frank and Eddie Gray, Terry Yorath, John Sheridan, Ian Baird, Fabian Delph, Kalvin Phillips, Pablo Hernandez and many more. These superb images are brought to life with commentary on title- and trophy-winning seasons, plus promotion-winning campaigns. There are also interviews with Eddie Gray, Howard Wilkinson, Pablo Hernandez, Allan Clarke, Tony Currie, Jermaine Beckford, Aidan Butterworth, Simon Grayson, Brian Deane, Rod Wallace, Dominic Matteo and many more. This is a book no true Whites fan should be without.Table of ContentsRobert Endeacott is a respected writer, novelist and occasional artist, producing many works related to his team. His novels include One Northern Soul, No More Heroes, Dirty Leeds, After Extra Time (Dirty Leeds Uncut), Disrepute - Revie's England and The Gigante. His factual works include A Celebration - the Official Centenary Book. Ben Hunt is a leading Leeds United collector and possibly the only owner of a Leeds United museum.
£21.25
Pitch Publishing Ltd Record Breakers: The Tactics Behind Liverpool and
Book SynopsisRecord Breakers: The Tactics Behind Liverpool and Manchester City's Title Triumphs and Record Points Totals lifts the lid on Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola's tactical systems and strategies. Written by a Premier League analyst, the book focuses on the seasons when these two footballing giants registered the highest points totals in Premier League history. It compares their styles and principles of play both with and without the ball, analyses the differences in the positioning of their players and outlines their specific movement patterns, all in the context of how opposition teams attempted to defend against them. Learn how Leroy Sane and Raheem Sterling were used very differently from Mo Salah and Sadio Mane, how City's system got the best out of Kevin De Bruyne, and how Trent Alexander-Arnold became a unique playmaker from full-back. From 'inverted full-backs' to 'false 9s' via 'free 8s', discover how City and Liverpool's tactics reflect modern football's evolution.
£15.29
Pitch Publishing Ltd The Secret Cricketer: English Cricket from the
Book SynopsisThe Secret Cricketer first picked up a cricket bat as a toddler and became a county junior. He secured a professional contract and has been at the coalface of the English county game ever since. This fast-paced, insider's account lifts the lid on modern cricket to reveal what life is really like for an English professional in the 21st century. How do players cope when they can't take a wicket or score a run and their livelihood is on the line? What makes a good coach and how many are there (hint - not many)? Is there still an old-school hierarchy in dressing rooms or a bullying culture? What's the secret to a winning dressing room, and what's it like to be in one when morale hits rock bottom? How much do county players earn? And what's it like to walk out at Lord's to play in a major final? With unique first-hand insight into the fast-evolving modern game, the book answers all these questions and more. It's brimming with untold stories - some that will make you laugh and others that will shock you.
£15.29
Pitch Publishing Ltd The Away Leg: XI Football Stories on the Road
Book SynopsisFed up with being stuck at home? Are you missing the excitement and fulfilment of an overseas jaunt for an away football match? The Away Leg: XI Football Stories on the Road takes your imagination on a trip around the world navigated by a skilled team of 11 football writers. From derbies in Brazil, Georgia and Israel to the momentous rise of the Iceland men's national team, from Palestine and North Korea to a UEFA Cup final overshadowed by murder, a controversial Women's World Cup meeting between England and Cameroon, the story of South America's most remarkable Copa Libertadores final and a historic triumph by Arsenal in the UEFA Women's Cup Final, The Away Leg's team takes you to the heart of the action with remarkable tales from across the globe. Until we can all hit the road again, The Away Leg fills the void with incredible football stories, with all author royalties going to the national social care charity Community Integrated Care.
£11.69
Pitch Publishing Ltd Trivquiz West Ham United: 1001 Questions
Book SynopsisHow much do you really know about West Ham United? Put your Hammers knowledge to the test with this bumper book of brainteaser quizzes and fascinating facts, beautifully illustrated by one of the world's leading sports artists. It's packed with trivia on all the West Ham greats - from World Cup heroes Moore, Hurst and Peters to Hammers legends Bonds, Brooking and beyond - providing hours of highly dippable fun and entertainment. Which West Ham manager played in a rock band called Rawbau? Who was West Ham's first non-British manager? A statue erected near the Boleyn Ground, honouring the Hammers' 1966 World Cup heroes, also includes which Everton player? Fan favourite Clyde Best was born in which country? Trivquiz West Ham United holds the answers to all these questions and hundreds more.
£9.49
Pitch Publishing Ltd Gerrard's Blueprint: The Tactical Philosophy
Book SynopsisGerrard's Blueprint provides an in-depth analysis of Rangers' tactical evolution over three years under Steven Gerrard, culminating in a league title win that saw them crowned kings of Scotland for the 55th time. In May 2018, Rangers appointed Liverpool legend Gerrard as the 16th permanent manager in the club's long history. A megastar player but untested as a coach, many wondered how Gerrard would fare at a club like Rangers, especially in light of the team's struggles in the past six seasons. Fast forward to 7 March 2021 and Gerrard's Rangers clinched the club's 55th title in record time, staying unbeaten in all 32 league games to that point. This book delves into the tactical approach used by Gerrard and his coaching team and shines a light on the key principles of their footballing philosophy. Adam Thornton picks out key games and players that have shaped the tactical evolution of the side and helped them become title winners.
£11.69
Pitch Publishing Ltd West Ham United: From East End Family to
Book SynopsisWest Ham United: From East End Family to Globalised Fandom is the story of the evolution of West Ham. It charts how a works football team was transformed into a club that represented east London's working classes, only to be transformed again in the late 20th and early 21st centuries into a global brand with supporters in every habitable place on Earth. Starting as the Thames Ironworks Ltd works team, they changed their name to West Ham United in 1900, shortly before moving to the Boleyn Ground in Upton Park. For nearly a century they were supported by local working-class men from across the East End of London until a series of economic, social, cultural, geographical and technological changes brought the club a global fanbase. Through surveying West Ham United fan groups across the world, this book attempts to explain this phenomenon and to get a sense of what the club means to those who originally came from the East End, as well as to those who have no biographical connection to the area.
£15.29
Pitch Publishing Ltd The Nine Waves: The Extraordinary Story of How
Book SynopsisThe Nine Waves is a tour de force. The most entertaining and up-to-date history of Indian cricket ever published, it tells the story of the nine great waves of the game from 1932 to the present day. Each wave in Indian cricket was chock-full of mesmerising stars, thrilling moments, great victories, heartbreaking losses and significant turning points. The first wave of Indian cricket rolled in against the backdrop of momentous changes in the country and the world: Gandhi's civil disobedience campaign, World War Two and Indian independence. Through each of the waves, India strengthened its position in the cricketing firmament. By the end of the 20th century, it was the most powerful nation in world cricket. Award-winning journalist, broadcaster and author Mihir Bose brings together his first-hand experience of some of the most seminal moments in Indian cricket, his encyclopaedic knowledge of the game and his unrivalled ability as a chronicler of the sport to create a magisterial history of Indian cricket.Trade Review"Bose has been writing about cricket for nearly 50 years [and] has set himself a challenging task... Any discussion of India's dominance of modern cricket must include the IPl... [and] Bose neatly explains its beneficial effect." * Widen Almanack *
£16.99
Pitch Publishing Ltd Tales from the Front Line: The Autobiography of
Book SynopsisFor over a decade Luke Fletcher has been a firm fan favourite at Trent Bridge. This 6'6" gentle giant never gives less than 100 per cent for Nottinghamshire, but a laugh and a joke are never far from his lips. Within the space of a week in 2017 he went from the highs of winning a Lord's cup final to suffering a serious injury. As with most events in his life, the incidents provided scope for his infectious humour, much of it self-deprecating. An uncanny ability to be in the wrong place at the wrong time and his on-off relationship with the strength and conditioning gurus has often landed him in hot water, providing ammunition for witty comebacks. But although a clever quip is never far away, the broad-beamed paceman has earned the respect of everyone in the game. He has played against - and got the better of - virtually every opponent he has faced and has a career record to be proud of. In Tales from the Front Line, 'Fletch' serves up laughs aplenty as he takes us on an anecdotal journey through our summer game.
£11.69
Pitch Publishing Ltd Glory and Despair: The World Cup, 1930-2018
Book SynopsisGlory and Despair is a pictorial celebration of the World Cup that takes us on a spellbinding journey, from the inaugural tournament in 1930 to the present day. Using stunning library stock images, the book brings to life the feats of the greatest stars ever to grace the game, including Pele, Diego Maradona, Zinedine Zidane, Lionel Messi, Michel Platini, Franz Beckenbauer, Bobby Moore and both Ronaldos. This beautiful visual homage covers the great matches, the incredible goals, the controversies, heroes and villains, capturing the most iconic moments in the greatest tournament of any sport. Glory and Despair is an essential piece of World Cup nostalgia that honours the history of the greatest football show on earth.
£21.25
Pitch Publishing Ltd Nii Lamptey: The Curse of Pelé
Book SynopsisNii Lamptey: The Curse of Pelé is the authorised biography of Ghanaian footballer Nii Lamptey, a one-time bright young talent who was hailed as 'the next Pelé' by Pelé himself. By age 16, Lamptey had won the Belgian title with RSC Anderlecht and the world championship with Ghana's under-16s. One year later, he won a bronze medal at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. After joining Dutch masters PSV Eindhoven on loan in 1993 and scoring 10 times in 22 games that season, Lamptey appeared to have the world at his feet. Spells at Aston Villa and Coventry City followed, but he failed to fulfil Pelé's bold prophecy. Instead, his career became a cautionary tale of what can go wrong when too much pressure is applied to young players. Injuries, lack of schooling, domestic violence, bad agents and a tragic and turbulent personal life pushed Lamptey to the brink of suicide, but thankfully he recovered. In this 'warts and all' account he finally lifts the lid on his incredible story.
£16.99
Pitch Publishing Ltd The Working Hands of a Goddess: The Tactics,
Book SynopsisThe Working Hands of a Goddess is the story of how Atalanta BC rose from the lower reaches of Serie A to become Champions League quarter-finalists in just four years. The appointment of Gian Piero Gasperini as manager in 2016 changed the club's fortunes forever. Quickly making his mark, he developed a squad that play one of Europe's most scintillating brands of football, and upset the status quo by going toe-to-toe with the giants of the Italian game. The Working Hands of a Goddess analyses and details the tactics and systems that underpin this thrilling team, the stories and backgrounds of the unique players that define it, and the culture and history that not only produced a beautiful football team but a special club and city-wide community. When the pandemic rocked the community, Atalanta became far more than just a football team by uniting a city in strife.
£11.69
Pitch Publishing Ltd What Was Football Like in the 1990s?
Book SynopsisWhat Was Football Like in the 1990s? captures the spirit of a decade that witnessed so many changes in the game, especially off the field. This engaging and absorbing account of the era interweaves the author's memories and experiences with a wealth of research. The Taylor Report, the Bosman ruling, the advent of the Premier League, the increasing focus on the business of football, Sky television, the rising price of entry to top-flight football, hooliganism and racism are all covered along with the managers who defined the era - Ferguson, Dalglish, Wenger, Atkinson - and of course the players who lit up the decade, including Eric Cantona and other foreign stars who helped mould the Premier League. What Was Football Like in the 1990s? is an enthralling and illuminating account of a truly remarkable decade for the beautiful game, penned by a respected football author and journalist. It's a 'must' for any nostalgic fan.
£11.69
Pitch Publishing Ltd All My Own Words: The Sportswriter who was Author
Book SynopsisAll My Own Words is the remarkable story of a kid with a paper round who dreamed of a career in Fleet Street, the historic fulcrum of the British press. In just a few short years, he achieved that ambition and held two of the most prestigious posts in sports writing, only to be sacked for plagiarism when collating material for a tennis annual. Neil Harman didn't have the proper qualifications when he got his first job on a local paper in Southend, but he passed his O-level retakes and set off on a journey packed with incident and controversy. Harman rose to become the leading football voice on the Daily Mail and later the man they called 'Mr Tennis' on The Times. All My Own Words charts the extraordinary twists and turns of a special sports-writing voyage, as Harman recounts colourful tales and brings us exclusive insight into characters such as Sir Alex Ferguson, Brian Clough, Graham Taylor, David Beckham, Laurie Cunningham, Sir Andy Murray, Tim Henman, John McEnroe, Pete Sampras, Rafael Nadal, Steffi Graf and Martina Navratilova.
£21.25
Pitch Publishing Ltd Out of the Wilderness: A Director's Life at
Book SynopsisFormer Burnley FC director Clive Holt brings us the inside track on his 35 years at the club in a compelling memoir chock-full of anecdotes and previously untold stories. Every committee or boardroom needs someone who can ask awkward questions and see what might be coming around the next corner. Clive was that man at Burnley FC. Wherever Burnley were playing, he rarely missed a match, whether those dreadful games of the old Fourth Division when Burnley were in the doldrums, or the heady afternoons at Old Trafford, Stamford Bridge or the Emirates in the Premier League. Clive's knowledge of the workings of Burnley was encyclopaedic, and as company secretary he knew exactly what was going on throughout the club. He left the board in 2020 when Burnley were bought by the American company ALK, but continues to attend games with a devotion that has never wavered.
£19.54
Pitch Publishing Ltd Yorkshire Turf Wars
Book SynopsisIn the fourth book in the acclaimed Turf Wars series, veteran journalist and broadcaster Steve Tongue chronicles the competitive history of football in Yorkshire.Sports-mad Yorkshire is proud to be the home of football, the birthplace of the world''s oldest independent club as long ago as 1857. So the turf wars began earlier than anywhere else, often with bad blood spilt when Sheffield FC took on neighbouring Hallam. Fierce rivalries that remain to this day emerged among two new Sheffield clubs, Wednesday and United, plus Doncaster Rovers, Rotherham United and early FA Cup winners Barnsley; then in West Riding''s Bradford, Leeds and Huddersfield.After a national Football League was founded, the county had at least one team in the top division from 1892 for the next 90 years, capable of winning the English game''s biggest honours.This book charts the ever-changing fortunes of one of the great football regions, with a colourful cast of famous play
£13.49
Pitch Publishing Ltd The Conquerors: How Carlo Ancelotti Made AC Milan
Book SynopsisThe Conquerors charts the rise, fall and resurgence of AC Milan across one of the club's most legendary eras. Fresh from a coaching baptism of fire at either end of the top Italian divisions, former club favourite Carlo Ancelotti returned to a then-disjointed Rossoneri dressing room as first-team manager in 2001. Out of sorts, out of form and out of touch with the standards set by the side in Ancelotti's day, AC Milan found a much-needed stabilising influence in the new coach, who helped them through a phase of transition. Though his impact wasn't immediate, nor without its share of dissenters, Ancelotti would ultimately return the team to its former glory. The Conquerors is a homage to one of the greatest club sides in football history. It's a story of incredible talent, iconic moments and the kind of improbable redemption usually reserved for Hollywood movie scripts.Trade Review"Fans of the international and world game will surely enjoy reading this hardback, as I have." -- Mark Watkins * Dare Radio *
£17.09
Pitch Publishing Ltd 1992: The Birth of Modern Football
Book Synopsis1992: The Birth of Modern Football brings to life the key events from one of the most important years in football history. After the huge success of Italia '90 and the potential to show football around the world on TV, law makers, chairmen and players ushered in monumental changes to the structure of the game. Everyone remembers the first year of the Premier League, but changes to the backpass rule and the arrival of the newly branded Champions League would have a seismic effect on football. On the pitch, Italian clubs spent huge sums as they bolstered their squads for success at home and abroad. In England, Leeds and Manchester United were battling at the top of the league for the final season in the First Division. That sliding-doors moment really did have a huge impact on Alex Ferguson's men. To add to the growing changes, the revolution was televised. 1992: The Birth of Modern Football transports you back to the year that changed football forever.Trade Review"Fletcher delivers us a breeze of a good read from when it wasn't just the corner flag that was blowin' in the wind." -- Mark Watkins * Dare Radio *"Rob Fletcher's book on the key events from one of the most important eras in modern sport is a nostalgic, entertaining read from start to finish... explaining how the Premier League became the billion-pound modern-day monster but also how and why soccer around Europe changed during the same timeframe." -- Ger McCarthy * Top Ten Sports Books of 2023, The Southern Star *
£15.29
Pitch Publishing Ltd When Dave Went Up: The Inside Story of
Book SynopsisWhen Dave Went Up is the fairy-tale story of Wimbledon's famous 1988 FA Cup win over Liverpool, and how a small team overcame the giants of English football. More than just a recollection of the final itself, the book takes us through the tournament round by round, from the third round to the semi-final, and everything in between. We all know that Lawrie Sanchez got the winning goal, but did you know he was in the wrong place for the free kick? The story shows what great team spirit and sheer hard work can achieve. With tales from the key players in the side, the staff, the fans, plus some of the opposition, this is the definitive account of how Wimbledon FC won the FA Cup. Along the way you'll discover how the Dons fell in love with the competition, with background info on their run in the 1974/75 season, when Dickie Guy become a household name overnight after saving a penalty against Leeds United. If you don't know about the Dons' connection with the famous old cup, you certainly will after reading this fascinating book.Trade Review"Gary Jordan has put together another excellent football book… Jordan, who edits the Wimbledon matchday programme, has done it again! Rating: 9/10." -- Mark Watkins * Dare Radio *"When Dave Went Up looks not just at the final but the whole cup run which saw The Dons make it to Wembley thanks to wins over West Bromwich Albion, Mansfield Town, Newcastle United, Watford and Luton Town, a run where they found the net 13 times. The book also looks back on Wimbledon’s history in the world’s oldest cup competition with focus on the famous 1974/75 run by the then-Southern League team who succumbed by a solitary goal in a fourth round replay against the mighty Leeds United. When Dave Went Up is a must for any Wimbledon fan, a group who have seen their side suffer any number of problems since those heady days, and also for anyone who loves a good underdog story (and who doesn’t?)." * Read the League *"One of the book's strengths is its ability to transport readers to the vibrant atmosphere of the matches. The author's detailed descriptions of key moments, heart-stopping goals, and the electrifying atmosphere of Wembley Stadium during the final make the readers feel as if they are right there, witnessing history unfold before their eyes... When Dave Went Up is a celebration of the indomitable spirit of Wimbledon and their remarkable FA Cup triumph. It showcases the power of determination, and the enduring belief in one's abilities. Even if readers are not familiar with the team or the era, the book's universal themes and the sheer excitement of the story will captivate and inspire them." * The Football Library *"It's a book that has been lovingly put together and the end result is something that Dons fans, and neutrals too, can really enjoy… What I particularly enjoyed were the stories of some of the key players in that Dons side – Beasant, Sanchez, Clive Goodyear and Terry Gibson. There are plenty of anecdotes and tales that will raise a smile. Rating: 9 out of 10." -- John Lyons * Late Tackle *
£16.99
Pitch Publishing Ltd Pretty Poly: The History of the Football Shirt
Book SynopsisPretty Poly tells the fascinating story of the football shirt, charting its dramatic evolution over a 150-year period, from modest beginnings to a product at the centre of a billion-dollar industry. An emblem of everything it means to be a fan, the football shirt evokes memories of triumph and disaster and acts as a symbol of belonging to a chosen footballing tribe. Packed with facts, figures and anecdotes, Pretty Poly explores the history embedded in every feature of modern-day strips. It covers their ever-changing shape, the emergence of dedicated club and national colours and the often surprising reasons behind them. It also looks at the companies and designers behind some of our favourite strips, and explores the birth and exponential growth of the replica-kit industry. Along the way, we learn the histories of the iconic sponsors, names, numbers, patches and badges, and meet the kit collectors with a burning lifelong passion as we delve into the burgeoning vintage kit market that feeds their interest.Trade Review"An engaging, illuminating read... Ireland is an engaging chronicler, enthusiasm and affection for his subject evident in every sentence." * When Saturday Comes *
£21.25
Pitch Publishing Ltd Turncoat: How I Stopped Supporting Arsenal and
Book SynopsisTurncoat is the light-hearted story of one disillusioned Arsenal fan’s quest to find a new team while rediscovering the simple joys of watching football. From sneaking out of bed to see Michael Thomas’s winner against Liverpool, to holding a season ticket for 16 years, Matt Coughlan was a dedicated Arsenal fan. Then came the move to a new ground, kick-off times always being shunted around and the goalposts being moved when billionaires injected vast sums into rival teams, so the height of ambition became finishing fourth. He became disillusioned with the modern game and drifted away from it, but he missed being part of the conversation in the pub and correcting friends on points of trivia. He started to watch non-league football and searched for a new team to follow. On his journey, Matt rediscovers a love for the sport, gets into club boardrooms, talks with officials, finds out about community-owned clubs, learns about some historic old clubs and watches a mixed bag of football. But does he find a new team to support?Trade Review"Books on the life of a nonleague fan are rare... For any others fans disillusioned with the never-ending greed at the top of the game Matt’s search for something more down-to -earth is to be praised." -- Cadhain's blog"He describes the matches he goes to and the people he meets along the way in an entertaining style... it’s fair to say the book may give other fans food for thought." -- John Lyons * Late Tackle *"Part memoir, part ethical inquiry, Coughlan's book explores provocative questions about loyalty, identity, and what following a club truly means…Coughlan writes in an introspective, self-aware style inviting both agreement and critique. For any football supporter, it poses thoughtful questions about balancing tradition and one's own ethical code." -- Matt Riley * Goodreads *
£13.49
Pitch Publishing Ltd Fighting Men of London: Voices from Inside the
Book SynopsisFighting Men of London explores the lives of seven former professional boxers who fought in the capital between the 1930s and 1960s. Set around a series of interviews, it resurrects a golden age of the sport when boxing was as popular as football and Britain's leading fighters were working-class heroes. Dramatic, poignant, inspiring and at times funny, the book covers such subjects as booth fighting, exploitation in boxing, East End poverty, World War Two London, Jewish culture, fame and success, crime, prison life and encounters with such figures as the Kray twins, the Great Train Robbers and Britain's most infamous inmate, Charles Bronson. Fighting Men of London takes us on a journey through a lost era of smoky fight halls, ramshackle boxing arenas and courageous fighting men. It features the previously untold stories of 1950s boxing star Sammy McCarthy, Bethnal Green knockout specialist Ted Berry (an associate of the Kray twins) and Sid Nathan, who as one of Britain's last surviving 1930s boxers once shared a fight bill with the great Jack Kid Berg. This isn't a single story, but seven stories of seven very different men. The common bond they shared was boxing.
£15.29
Pitch Publishing Ltd Pironi
Book SynopsisPironi: The Champion that Never Was relates the remarkable story of motor racing's forgotten man, F1 driver and offshore powerboat legend, Didier Pironi. A disastrous crash at the 1982 German Grand Prix denied him his place as France's first F1 world champion. He was killed during the 1987 Needles Trophy race.
£15.29
Pitch Publishing Ltd Newcastle United Match of My Life: Magpies Stars
Book SynopsisNewcastle legends from across the decades offer a unique insight into the most magical moments in the history of the North East giants. Magpies greats from Alan Shearer to Bob Moncur and Les Ferdinand to Nobby Solano take us into the inner sanctuary of the dressing room, with previously unheard stories from their favourite matches in the famous black-and-white stripes. Shay Given lifts the lid on how Mike Ashley forced him to put in a transfer request when he was on the cusp of becoming Newcastle’s record appearance-holder. Rafa Benitez reveals the secrets of his love affair with the Toon Army, while Nikos Dabizas recalls ‘going from heaven to hell’ in the space of just a few days by scoring an iconic late winner in a Tyne–Wear derby before falling victim to Dennis Bergkamp’s wonder goal. ‘Sir’ Les Ferdinand takes us back to the glory days of Kevin Keegan’s ‘Entertainers’, and Malcolm ‘Supermac’ Macdonald recalls asking Bobby Robson for his autograph as a schoolboy, only to sign for him years later.
£16.99
Pitch Publishing Ltd Inside the Hermit Kingdom
Book SynopsisInside the Hermit Kingdom charts the history of Albanian football from 1945 to 1991, when the country was ruled by modern Europe''s most brutal and oppressive regime. The book features a chronology of Albanian football history interspersed with iconic games that shaped the nation''s favourite sport. It details the matchday experience in Stalinist Albania, tells the story of a league footballer during the regime years and charts the growth of street football in Hoxhaist Tirana.You''ll read about the demise of ''The Party'' and Stalinism in Albania and the effects their disintegration had on football, peering beyond 1991 into a future riddled with conflict, uncertainty and, oddly, hope.The era is brought to life by the accounts of Albanians who lived through it, which capture the importance of football to a populace starved of any other source of communal enjoyment. The otherworldliness and innate cruelty of the Stalinist regime provide a terrifying
£13.49
Pitch Publishing Ltd Cricket in Poetry
Book SynopsisCricket in Poetry tells the fascinating story of cricket''s strong ties with poetry.It may be cricket''s rural origins, its slow pace or the literary ambitions of its aristocratic patrons, but the game has inspired more poetry than any other. Some of it is moving, some is funny, and some is arch and clunky. Two poems stand out: Vitai Lampada and At Lord''s. Both were penned by the sons of prosperous families. One poet, Henry Newbolt, was a toff. The other, Francis Thompson, was a religious writer and Jack the Ripper suspect. While the two were growing up, county cricket was coming of age.The book charts the game''s early days from the countryside of the south to the industrial towns and cities of the Midlands and the north. It recalls the famous matches, W.G. Grace and Gloucestershire on their first visit to Old Trafford and the first Ashes Test. And it celebrates the heroes, from Hornby and Barlow to Ranjitsinhji and the great victory calyp
£17.09
Pitch Publishing Ltd Total Belief
Book Synopsis Total Belief looks back at three incredible years in the early 1990s when Bruce Rioch transformed the fortunes of a football club on its knees. In the summer of 1992, Bolton Wanderers were a club in distress. With an aging stadium and struggling in the league, chairman Gordon Hargreaves made the difficult decision to sack manager Phil Neal and employ Bruce Rioch and his assistant Colin Todd.Over the next three seasons, Bruce began to change attitudes by instilling a new mentality. Working his players hard on the pitch and restricting their lives off it, Bruce won the hearts of players and fans alike.With his blend of youth and experience, Bruce took Bolton on incredible cup runs with attractive attacking football that finally brought the crowds back to Burnden Park. The story ended with yet another cup run and two trips to Wembley, including one of the most dramatic comebacks of all time. Sadly, the celebrations were cut short as Bruce Rioch left
£17.09
Pitch Publishing Ltd Land of Hope and Glory
Book SynopsisLand of Hope and Glory is the Windrush-generation story of Maurice Hope, a Caribbean immigrant whose fascinating journey took him from abject poverty to boxing world champion and receiving an MBE from the Queen.The former WBC light-middleweight titlist was born in rural Antigua in 1951. Surprisingly, he was an extremely sensitive child who cried for the flimsiest reasons. When he arrived in east London, aged nine, his elder brother Lex was waiting to introduce him to the noble art at the famous Repton Boxing Club. Reluctant but too scared to defy Lex, Maurice agreed. It led to a glittering career, first as an Olympian then as a world champion pro. Maurice then coached the Antigua boxing team for years. Invites to Downing Street to meet the Prime Minister followed, before a trip to Buckingham Palace to receive his MBE for services to the sport.Hope''s story is punctuated by spectacular highs and crushing lows, but amid it all his warmth, humour and resi
£21.25
Pitch Publishing Ltd Los Leones
Book SynopsisLos Leones: The Unique Story of Athletic Club Bilbao is the first English language book that tells the incredible story of the unique Basque club. Founded in 1898 by British migrant workers and Basque students, Athletic Club grew to become the most successful team in Spain. Along with Real Madrid and Barcelona, Los Leones have never been relegated, despite their self-imposed Basque-only transfer policy, a philosophy that causes intrigue across the footballing world. In an age of globalisation and astronomical transfer fees, Athletic stand apart. The complicated politics of the Basque Country and its strained relationship with Spain fuel the fierce sense of identity, passion and pride that Bilbaínos and Basques possess. The San Mamés stadium, or La Catedral, outshines even the Guggenheim Museum as the most important landmark in this one-club city. Exclusive interviews with former legends, prominent journalists and Athleticzales, provide the historical, political and social context of what makes Athletic so special.
£16.19
Pitch Publishing Ltd The Summer of Total Football
Book Synopsis The Summer of Total Football: The 1974 World Cup captures the mood of a memorable 24 days in the early 1970s as the balance of footballing power shifted.Throughout history, the World Cup has often discovered people's champions' that do not become tournament winners, such as the Netherlands in 1974. Beaten by the host nation, West Germany, the Dutch captivated the crowds at WM74, spearheaded by their captain, Johan Cruyff. This was supposed to be Cruyff's World Cup and right up until the final, he demonstrated why. But West Germany, who were galvanised by their own talisman, Franz Beckenbauer, had other ideas. Initially burdened by being the home team, they improved as the tournament progressed and refused to be overawed by the Dutch. The indomitable spirit of West Germany, which characterised their style in the decades after 1974, came to the fore as they won their second World Cup.This was the World Cup of Total Football', a style of play that was pr
£17.09
Pitch Publishing Ltd Rise of the Underdogs
Book Synopsis Rise of the Underdogs: Football's New World Order is the ultimate guide to the changing landscape of modern football.As FIFA president Gianni Infantino declared, There are no more small teams and no more big teams.' This book goes in search of how and why these changes have come about from Croatia, a nation of just four million people, reaching the World Cup Final to Morocco writing African football history.Each chapter explores how football clubs and associations are breaking down barriers, with stories of icons such as Erling Haaland, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Mohamed Salah. There are first-hand accounts from those who helped them conquer the odds and reach unprecedented heights, as well as behind-the-scenes insights into why clubs and countries worldwide are breaking new ground.With exclusive views from coaches, players and other professionals worldwide, this is a far-reaching guide to football''s exciting new landscape.
£13.49
Pitch Publishing Ltd Leeds United the Forgotten Games
Book SynopsisFriendlies. Some fans love them, others loathe them, but they are an often forgotten part of every club's history. Leeds United the Forgotten Games features more than 650 friendly matches: from the first-ever game against Yorkshire Amateurs right up to the modern day pre-season tour.The book is full of quirky stats and interesting facts, such as the game where dead-ball specialist Ian Harte scored a unique hat-trick. It also details all of the club's foreign tours, winners of the West Riding Cup, tells you just who Brian Tevreden was and reveals the club that Leeds have played the most over the years.Each game is brought to life by a match report and stats lovers will relish poring over the full team line-ups from these forgotten games, recalling forgotten trialists, youth-team nearly men and those unknown future legends making their first steps in the professional game.
£17.09
Pitch Publishing Ltd Sprinters and the Art of Speed
Book Synopsis Sprinters and the Art of Speed invites you into the world of professional cycling through the eyes of some of the best sprinters of all time.From the earliest days of road racing there have been explosive riders that always seemed to have the edge over their rivals at the finish. From the days of Charles Pélissier and Rik van Looy, to the epic era of Mark Cavendish and the rise of new stars like Lorena Wiebes and Arnaud De Lie, you''ll get the low-down on all things sprinting.Inside you''ll discover exactly what it takes to become one of the fastest riders at the Tour de France. Dive in and learn about the formative years of sprinting and the emergence of specialised tactics such as sprint trains and lead-out riders. You''ll also get an insight into the lives of some of the greatest sprinters of all time and their finest hours, before finally looking ahead to what the next decade of sprinting might hold.
£11.69
Pitch Publishing Ltd Into the Unknown
Book SynopsisSince 1921, Rochdale AFC had always competed in the English Football League. Their continued membership - albeit isolated to the bottom two tiers - was a badge of honour in the face of little on-field success. However, in May 2023, the unthinkable happened and Rochdale AFC were relegated out of the Football League for the first time in the club''s history.A nightmare scenario for most football fans, author Chris Fitzgerald decided to embrace Rochdale''s newfound non-league status and planned out a season which would see his club compete against the likes of Dorking Wanderers, Ebbsfleet United and Solihull Moors; as well as some other traditional Football League names battling for a return to the ''92 club'', such as Chesterfield, Hartlepool United, and York City.Into the Unknown is the story of a club and its fans finding their feet in the uncharted territory of non-league football... and the colourful clubs and characters encountered along the
£16.99
Pitch Publishing Ltd Kit and Community
Book SynopsisKit and Community digs beneath the surface of inspirational and meaningful designs to reveal the incredible causes that use football shirts to spread their message.Starting with Stanno''s Shirt, we meet Gig and Roger, the parents of Exeter City legend Adam Stansfield, who was cut down by cancer at the heartbreaking age of 31. Gig and Roger share how their son''s shirts meant, and still mean, so much to them.Then there''s York City photographers Kieran Archer, Chris Payne and Tom Poole, who designed the club''s stunning centenary shirt, celebrating the city''s heritage of chocolate making, illustrated by outstanding images. The trio describe every step of the design process. Plus, in a joyously inspirational interview, Tania and Jayme from Football Shirts FC (for charity) discuss their mission to use shirts to support cancer charities close to their hearts.As these and other accounts in this innovative book show us - every shirt has a unique stor
£16.99
Pitch Publishing Ltd Benno
Book SynopsisBenno: My Life in Football is a fascinating look into the footballing life of one of Coventry City''s greatest ever players, FA Cup-winning hero Dave Bennett.Follow the effervescent Benno''s life from battling racism on the streets of Manchester and throughout his career to climbing those famous steps at the home of English football.Benno had it tough from day one of his career. He was subjected to on-pitch racist abuse on his debut at Manchester City. He saw what should have been a shining moment of his career overshadowed when he was referred to as ''the little coloured boy'' during 1981 FA Cup Final commentary.But he fought back and overcame four leg breaks. He also enjoyed season after season in the top flight, becoming one of the country''s leading wingers in the process - and he did it all with a huge smile on his face. My Life in Football is Benno''s story - an extraordinary tale that reveals the best and worst of football in the 1980
£21.25
Pitch Publishing Ltd The Cricketers of 1945
Book Synopsis The Cricketers of 1945 is the compelling, poignant, and above all human, story of the reawakening of English cricket in the immediate aftermath of the world''s most destructive war.The book brings to life the summer''s Victory Tests, played on home soil between England and Australia, as well as the personal stories of the players and their families, plus those of some of the hundreds of thousands of spectators who flocked to the matches to celebrate the return of something approaching normal life after the ordeal and sacrifice of the war years.This vivid account is illuminated by fresh archival research, encompassing the diaries and personal letters of both cricketers and cricket lovers, giving the reader a strong sense of what it was like to be alive at this unique time as much of the world awoke, or was still awakening, from the nightmare ordeal of the long years of conflict.
£21.25
Pitch Publishing Ltd Viva Colombia
Book SynopsisViva Colombia: A Social History of Colombian Football tells the story through 15 distinct episodes and 15 national team players.The book covers everything from the joie de vivre of the Colombian style - personified by Carlos Valderrama - to the travails of Colombian society illustrated by the tragic murder of Andrés Escobar in the aftermath of Colombia''s 1994 group-stage exit. The narrative examines how personal stories interlink with the wider history of the nation.Despite many complexities, Colombia is often reduced to a series of off-beam stereotypes which exoticise, eroticise or misrepresent it. This book offers a timely corrective, telling the story through the eyes of a number of its key historical protagonists.From Colombia''s first World Cup appearance in 1962 through to the present day, we discover what some of the most emblematic players to wear the shirt tell us about the Colombian nation.
£17.09
Pitch Publishing Ltd And the Winner is
Book SynopsisAnd the Winner Is takes a fascinating look at the 70 holders of the BBC Sports Personality of the Year trophy. Together, their stories - and the moments that define them - offer a unique account of British sport in the television age.Since it was first broadcast 70 years ago, the BBC''s Sports Personality of the Year (SPOTY) is a national institution, with the announcement of the winner guaranteed to spark heated debates in the press and online, as well as in the front rooms of viewers.Why have more royals won than rugby players? What do Ronnie or Rory have to do to win? And should winning the F1 Drivers'' Championship really trump gold medals at four consecutive Olympic Games? Damon Hill''s mum certainly didn''t think so.Some of the winners, and the moments that define them, are cornerstones of the nation''s sporting fabric - Bobby Moore and the World Cup in 1966 or Andy Murray and Wimbledon in 2013. But others are less familiar: 44-year-old golfe
£21.25
Pitch Publishing Ltd Immortal Torino
Book SynopsisIt was just after five o'clock on 4 May 1949 as the Avio Linee Italiane Fiat G.212, carrying 18 players of AC Torino and 13 other passengers, was preparing to land at Turin's Aeritalia airport.?Thick fog meant visibility was poor, and strong winds had blown the plane off course. Disorientated, the plane was around ten miles from the runway and flying in excess of 100mph, when suddenly, out of the fog emerged the Basilica of Superga. With no time for the pilot to react, the plane crashed into the Basilica, killing all 31 passengers instantly including manager Erno Egri Erbstein, English coach Leslie Lievesley, and three well-known Italian sports journalists: Renato Casalbore, the founder of Tuttosport, Renato Tosatti, Gazzetta del Popolo, and Luigi Cavallero, La Stampa.Known as Grande Torino, in honour of their achievements, AC Torino had dominated their domestic league, and on the international stag
£17.09
Pitch Publishing Ltd Winner Stays On: England with the FA Cup for a
Book SynopsisWinner Stays On journeys into the heart of English football using FA Cup fixtures to plan the route.This unique adventure takes us across the entire spectrum of the English game, from Tuffley Rovers to Burton Albion, Luton Town to Manchester City, revealing the people and places that make football tick. With original research and rich, thought-provoking prose, the book blends elements of travel writing with football culture and barstool sociology. It's also funny.A frank account of the state of modern football as well as a heartfelt celebration, the book uncovers where the game is going wrong. Amateur footballers are afforded the same curiosity as Premier League stars; faltering industrial towns are treated with the same respect as upmarket villages and prosperous, world-leading cities.Over 14 matches and 14 locations, Winner Stays On brings us a fascinating first-hand take on modern England and the sport its inhabitants turn to for escapism.Trade Review"[The book] takes the armchair reader on a journey across England by way of following teams, towns, and cities as balls are drawn out of the bag, round by round, for the FA Cup... R M Clark describes his emotions and experiences, the people he met and of course the main match action. An original idea made more interesting by all the pleasant, personal touches." -- Mark Watkins * Dare Radio *
£13.49
Pitch Publishing Ltd Batting For Time
Book SynopsisBatting for Time: The Fight to Keep English Cricket Alive is the exploration of a sport in existential crisis. In a rapidly changing sporting and social landscape, county cricket - an institution whose history spans more than 150 years - finds itself confronted with the most uncertain period in its long history. The proliferation of lucrative global franchise leagues has threatened to leave behind a member-owned English structure deep-rooted in the Victorian era. Pitting traditionalists against modernisers, and romantics against pragmatists, the need for change has sparked a host of civil wars, creating deep divisions among those who care for the English game.Using the 2023 season as a backdrop, Batting for Time explores the precarious state of English cricket, asking what it is we expect from our domestic game, who it primarily exists for and where things might go in the future. What must English cricket do to survive?
£16.99
Pitch Publishing Ltd Torry
Book Synopsis Torry: The Life and Career of a Football Great is the story of the remarkable Torry Gillick, a Scottish international footballer revered both in Glasgow and Liverpool.On the pitch, Gillick won every possible honour in Scottish football with Rangers across two spells at Ibrox, and was the only player signed twice by the legendary Bill Struth. At Everton, he was a key player in their famous league title triumph in 1939, making the club the last champions before World War Two.Gillick was a character and an entertainer, his skills and goals earning him a place in the Hall of Fame at both clubs. But his story is about more than his wonderful football career; it is one of a family man whose life was blighted by tragedy and heartache, but who always emerged stronger and who earned respect and friendship in and out of football.
£21.25
Pitch Publishing Ltd Whats it all About
Book SynopsisFormer Rangers, Celtic, Spurs and Scotland midfielder Alfie Conn lifts the lid on his playing career with both Old Firm rivals and his time as ''King of White Hart Lane''.When he started at Rangers, Alfie was the teen with magic dust in his boots - the youngest Ranger to play in Europe. Silverware and stardom followed, and his boyish good looks adorned the bedroom walls of girls and boys alike.He was a superhero at Spurs and international honours followed with Scotland, but he shocked the footballing world by hooking up with Jock Stein at Celtic. He became a square peg in a round hole with the Hoops. Loved by his team-mates, but loathed by the supporters he had ''betrayed'' at Ibrox, he was an easy target for the boo boys. A quip at the expense of Celtic legend Billy McNeill ended his spell in green and white.Love him or loathe him, Alfie''s only goal is to set the record straight - by telling the truth about his time on both sides of the Old Firm divi
£21.25
Pitch Publishing Ltd The WorstRun Club in the Country
Book SynopsisThe Worst-Run Club in the Country is the definitive story of Farhad Moshiri''s six and a half years as the majority shareholder of Everton Football Club.From the moment of his February 2016 arrival, the British-Iranian billionaire set about trying to rouse one of English football''s perennial sleeping giants. No expense was spared in arming managers with substantial transfer budgets while he also sought to right the wrongs of the club''s endless quest for a new stadium to replace their spiritual yet outdated Goodison Park home.But Moshiri''s grand designs unravelled as quickly as they had begun. On and off the pitch, the Toffees soon descended into chaos, with their long-standing Premier League status in repeated jeopardy, the club hit with a record ten-point deduction and division sown within the fanbase by Moshiri''s appointed hierarchy. All this led Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher to declare his boyhood heroes to be ''the worst-run club in the country''.
£15.29
Pitch Publishing Ltd Jurgen Said to Me
Book SynopsisJurgen Said to Me is a human-interest story centred around Liverpool FC''s most successful and charismatic leader of recent times. It charts Jurgen Klopp''s impact on Liverpool through the voice of the author and those at the heart of his revival.In October 2015, Klopp took the helm at Liverpool at a time when the famous club were entering a third decade of league-title drought. The German coach had prospered with his brand of ''heavy-metal football'', but little was known about his personality beyond an obvious energy and charisma. He entered a city steeped in personality, history and trauma - a place where the people demand more than a mere coach to lead their clubs.Klopp''s social influence has stretched to matters such as diversity, the economy, the COVID-19 pandemic and local history. The book explores the human impact of a man who single-handedly harnessed togetherness and the global unity of millions, while reshaping one of the most fam
£13.49
Pitch Publishing Ltd Last Man Standing
Book SynopsisThe compelling story of former footballer, coach, manager and director John Sainty. John had begun working on his autobiography with football writer Neil Vacher before his sudden death in 2023. Determined to do John's story justice, Neil brought this labour of love to fruition with the help of John's former colleagues.
£21.25
