Search results for ""pitch publishing""

Over and Out is the remarkable story of a neglected cricket hero. Albert Trott was good enough to play for Australia and England, but at the height of his powers no Test team would pick him. He brought an Ashes series to life by taking 8-43 on debut and his batting average for Australia was 102.5. This was the man who cleared the Lord's pavilion with the biggest of hits. Over and Out celebrates his exploits on the field, which for far too long have been hidden by the taboo of suicide. It also addresses the mystery of Albert Trott, how he responded to the external forces that fashioned his life and ultimately why he did what he did. From fame to broke and broken, from Melbourne to Middlesex his story is compelling. While lesser men have found their place within the cricketing pantheon, it has been the fate of 'Dear Trotty' to be excluded, the permanent outsider. There is no portrait of Albert Trott in the Long Room in the Lord's pavilion. It is time for him to take up his rightful place in the history of the game.

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Since 1977 the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield has staged the snooker World Championship and in that time become one of the most beloved and iconic venues in sport. In this book the UK's leading snooker writer Hector Nunns makes his selection of the greatest matches ever played in the famous amphitheatre, featuring the heroes of the early years right through to the household names of the present day. With exclusive contributions from the players involved, and how they saw the build-up, the match itself, the agony of defeat and ecstasy of victory, and the experience of being involved in a memorable encounter on the sport's greatest stage, in what is always the biggest, best and final tournament of the season. Forty Years of the Crucible recalls how promoter Mike Watterson stumbled across the theatre with the help of his wife Carole and throws the spotlight on classic matches involving Ronnie O'Sullivan, Stephen Hendry, Jimmy White, the late and much-missed Alex Higgins and Paul Hunter, Cliff Thorburn, Terry Griffiths, Ken Doherty and of course the 1985 black-ball final between Dennis Taylor and Steve Davis.

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Journeymen tells a story that is often purposely ignored - that of the modern-day boxers who lose for a living. Far from huge purses and pay-per-view hype, the book lays bare the reality of the boxing business and the way it works in small-hall venues countrywide. October 2013 saw the 100th and final fight in the career of East London's Johnny Greaves, remarkable in that he won only four contests. He took fights at short notice, facing young prospects with the implicit understanding that he was not there to win. Journeymen features in-depth interviews with Greaves and other men who have similarly served the fight game, including Kristian Laight (180 defeats), Jason Nesbitt (178) and Daniel Thorpe (113). Though sometimes dark, their tales reveal humour, wisdom and sporting pride: the journeymen eschew glamour, make the best of what they have and face the world with a smile and a wink.

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Somewhere along the way football took a wrong turn, losing touch with fans. In a passionate, funny book of essays, The Ugly Game sets out to put football right by comparing it, often unfavourably, with American football, a sport, perhaps surprisingly, that's showing how money need not destroy fairness and competition.

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Got, Not Got: The Lost World of Norwich City is an Aladdin's cave of memories and memorabilia, guaranteed to whisk you back to Carrow Road's fondly remembered 'Golden Age' of mud and magic - as well as a Canaries-mad childhood of miniature tabletop games and imaginary, comic-fuelled worlds. The book recalls a more innocent era of football, lingering longingly over relics from the good old days - Canaries stickers and petrol freebies, league ladders, big-match programmes and much more - revisiting lost football culture, treasures and pleasures that are 100 per cent Norwich City. If you're a lifelong Norwich fan, one of the army of obsessive soccer kids at any time from the Ron Saunders era to the early days of the Premier League, then this is the book to recall the mavericks - Fashanu, Fox and Peters, Townsend, Goss and Culverhouse - and the marvels of the Lost World of Football.

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Fanatical is the story of football's number one superfan. Since January 1968, Gary Edwards hasn't missed a single competitive Leeds United match anywhere in the world. He's devastated to have missed one friendly; although, rest assured, that was through no fault of his own. On his 46-year (and counting!) adventure, this uniquely passionate supporter has experienced dodgy mountainside coach nightmares, bumpy flights on cheap airlines, and aggro just about everywhere. From pink faces in Barnsley to disguises at Luton, from behind the Iron Curtain to an eerie Nou Camp, from FA hypocrisy to tragedy in Turkey, Fanatical is by turn funny, scary and inspirational in its display of extreme love for football and the mighty Whites. Enjoy this whistle-stop global tour to every club Gary has visited ever since Derby County all those years ago - by sea, by air and by Doombuggy, Gary's customised hearse!

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Huddersfield Town Miscellany collects together all the vital information you never knew you needed to know about the Terriers. In these pages you will find irresistible anecdotes and the most mindblowing stats and facts. Heard the one about the striker who scored 223 goals in 268 appearances for the club? How about the centre-forward who netted 289 goals in just 40 games before joining Town? Do you know what has been the longest journey (by road) any Huddersfield Town team has had to make to play a Football League fixture? When Town were unbeaten at home in the FA Cup for 19 years? Or which Town player had a record 32 letters in his name? All these stories and hundreds more appear in a brilliantly researched collection of trivia - essential for any fan who holds the riches of blue-and-white history close to their heart.

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Adam Carroll-Smith never completed a football sticker album as a kid. Try as he might, he was always a few stickers short. Six Stickers tells the story of Carroll-Smith's bid to complete his childhood album and rediscover his love for the game. After uncovering one of his long-lost, almost-finished albums, he decided now was the time to break that duck. Disillusioned and out of love with the modern game, he attempts to track down and photograph the six players missing from his Premier League 1996 sticker book. Featuring previously unpublished interviews with the subjects of the book, Carroll-Smith looks back at their time in football and how their lives have developed since; he also looks back at a time when English football was going through a transitional phase, prior to Euro 96 and at the dawn of the modern era, and examines the changes of the last 15 years.

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Manchester City On This Day revisits all the most magical and memorable moments from the club's rollercoaster past, mixing in a maelstrom of quirky anecdotes and legendary characters to produce an irresistibly dippable diary of Blues history - with an entry for every day of the year. From the club's Victorian roots as a church side right up to the Etihad era, City fans have witnessed Edwardian scandal, league and cup triumphs and embarrassments, hard-fought derbies and unforgettable European nights - all featured here. Timeless greats such as Francis Lee and Georgi Kinkladze, Colin Bell, Frank Swift and Billy Meredith all loom larger than life. Revisit 11th May 1968, when City clinched the league title with a 4-3 win at Newcastle. 7th November 1987, when the Blues hit double figures beating Huddersfield Town 10-1 at Maine Road. And 5th May 1956, when Bert Trautmann broke his neck in the Cup Final.

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The story of Scottish international football including contemporary and historic images of legends, key events, and matches. With individual diary entries for every day of the year, the book is full of heroes and villains, and tells the tales of the matches, characters, tournaments, and managers that have helped shape the story of Scottish international football. From the world's first international match against England in 1872 to Home Championship victories to World Cup heartaches and the tale of the Tartan Army, all the major football stories are covered.Scotland On This Day revisits all the most magical and memorable moments from the nation's footballing past, mixing in a maelstrom of quirky anecdotes and legendary characters to produce an irresistibly dippable dark blue-and-white history - with an entry for every day of the year. From that Partick afternoon in 1872 when Scotland drew with England in the first ever football international, right through to the SPL era, the Tartan Army have witnessed a host of successes in the British Championship, plus famous victories, heart-rending near misses and valiant defeats in World Cup and European Championships matches - as well as a few less defiant losses at Hampden. Timeless greats such as Denis Law, Jimmy McGrory and Ally McCoist, Joe Baxter, Kenny Dalglish and Dave Mackay all loom larger than life alongside the lesser-known heroes, one-cap wonders and managers who have helped shape the story of Scottish football.

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England On This Day revisits all the most magical and memorable moments from the national side''s rollercoaster past, mixing in a maelstrom of quirky anecdotes and legendary characters to produce an irresistibly dippable Lions diary - with an entry for every day of the year. From the first ever international match in 1872 to the Premier League era, England''s faithful fans have witnessed decades of world domination and tragicomic failures, grudge matches, World Cup heroics, bizarre goals, fouls and metatarsals - all featured here. Timeless greats such as Bobby Charlton, Kevin Keegan and Paul Gascoigne, Steve Bloomer, David Beckham and Stanley Matthews all loom larger than life. Revisit May 12 1971, when England beat Malta 5-0 and Gordon Banks only got four touches - all backpasses! September 1 2001: Germany 1-5 England! Or July 12 1966, when the England team took a morale-boosting trip to the set of You Only Live Twice...

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The Arsenal Companion collects together all the vital information you never knew you needed to know about Arsenal FC. In these pages you will find irresistible anecdotes and the most mindblowing stats and facts. Heard the one about the glam rock single, 'A Love Song For My Lady', recorded by Charlie George as 'Charlie Gorgeous'? How about the linesman's injury that led to commentator Jimmy Hill running the line at Highbury? Do you know which former full-back managed the club for the shortest ever spell? Which 80s star advertised fitted kitchens and a white leather suit for Top Man? Or which 60s stopper was known as 'Sponge' due to his ability to soak up pressure? All these stories and hundreds more appear in a brilliantly researched collection of trivia, essential for any fan who holds the riches of red-and-white history close to their heart. Featuring a foreword by Frank McLintock.

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Aberdeen FC On This Day revisits all the most magical and memorable moments from the Dons' distinguished past, mixing in a maelstrom of quirky anecdotes and legendary characters to produce an irresistibly dippable diary of Reds history - with an entry for every day of the year. From the club's Edwardian formation through to the SPL era, the Pittodrie faithful have witnessed Scottish League, Cup and League Cup triumphs, unforgettable European nights and American summers - all featured here. All-time greats including Willie Miller and Jim Leighton, Joe Harper, Gordon Strachan and Lachlan McMillan(!) all loom larger than life. Revisit 11 April 1970: The Dons claim their second Scottish Cup with a shock 3-1 win over Celtic. 18 November 1931: 'The Great Mystery' betting scandal sees five first-teamers axed. Or 11 May 1983: The European Cup Winners' Cup is won in rainy Gothenburg with a sensational 2-1 victory over Real Madrid.

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Which flat horses should you be backing in 2024? Discover the names and details with this invaluable guide to likely winners. Drawing on a wealth of experience and knowledge, the Racing Post''s expert race-readers have selected the horses they expect to succeed in the upcoming flat season. You''ll get the names and details of 100 potential winners, including info on their previous form, in this indispensable, easy-to-read, pocket-sized guide. Now in its 63rd year, the guide has a long history of identifying winners.Give yourself the edge with this tried-and-tested tool that no flat-racing follower should be without. The editor, Rodney Pettinger, has been the product manager for Raceform Interactive since 2001, and in recent years he has also managed the team of writers who produce analysis and close-up comments for the Racing Post.

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Horseracing happens literally every day of the year - which is why unique and unusual events are almost commonplace in the Sport of Kings, Queens and commoners, even when that day in designed to fool you - as many felt was the case when, on 1 April 1929, a jockey named Frank Wise didn't live up to his name as he was unwise enough to ride in the Irish Grand National with only one leg and minus the tops of three fingers - yet he and his mount, Alike, won the race. Then there was the race meeting at which two dates combined when Good Friday fell on Boxing Day - literally - with the horse of that name taking a tumble at Wolverhampton on 26 December 1899. Make a note in your diary to buy yourself or your racing relatives and friends Graham Sharpe's latest book, containing literally hundreds more similarly notable, memorable, racey stories for every single day of the year. All the stories in The Racing Post’s Horseracing On This Day have been expertly researched and this book is a must-have for any fans of horseracing

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How much do you really know about the club you love? You can find out by exploring the 1,000 questions set out in 100 categories that make up this Blues quiz book. You will struggle to find anything as comprehensive as this eclectic collection. This quirky, challenging book is a must for Chelsea fans of all ages, and you might not see anything qui

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How much do you really know about the club you love? You can find out by exploring the 1,000 questions set out in 100 categories that make up this Arsenal quiz book. It's not often that books on football make reference to Ascot races, Fidel Castro, the Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Pink Floyd, Fawlty Towers and Marilyn Monroe, but this one does! Call Yourself a Gunners Fan? is a quirky challenging affair for real Arsenal fans who can test themselves or take each other on, with the emphasis on enjoyment and discovery. Try these for size: Which Arsenal goalkeeper topped the county cricket bowling averages? What links the following Arsenal players: Bob John, Alex James, Mel Charles, Charlie George and Thierry Henry? General Custer's last stand occurred at the Battle of Little Bighorn in 1876. His first two names together produce one of Arsenal's most popular players, who? You will struggle to find anything as comprehensive as this eclectic collection. It's a must for Arsenal fans of all ages and you might not see anything quite like it again.

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The Racing Post Puzzle Book is the first puzzle book written for fans of horseracing. 240 puzzles will provide endless head scratching and entertainment for anyone who enjoys the sport. Its mix of six different types of puzzle will challenge even the most knowledgeable fan. In Fill In The Blanks an account of a race is given with ten key names and other words missing. Do you know enough to fill in the blanks? In Simple Sums, do you have the racing knowledge you need to complete the calculations? In Tell Me The Answer And I'll Tell You The Question, two questions and two answers are given - can you find which question and answer match? In Get It In One? Or Two, Or Three, Or Four?, how many clues do you need to identify the well-known person or horse? One, two, three or four? In Time For A Rhyme a short poem describes a famous person or horse. Can you complete the missing rhymes and identify who the poem is about? In Where's The Logic? a logic puzzle is presented in a racing setting. Can you use logic and the clues to deduce the answer?

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How well do you know your racing? You follow the form, share in the agony of defeat and the elation of success, but how much of that information do you remember? The Racing Post Quiz Book will provide hours of entertainment and challenge horse racing know-it-alls to prove themselves. Categories range from where this uniquely historic sport started right up to the modern day, taking in the best horses, most successful trainers, the heroic jockeys and many more besides. With 1,000 questions, many fiendish, some infuriating, this is the ultimate test for any racing fan.

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Seventeen Swansea City legends tell the stories behind their favourite games for the club - allowing Swans fans of all ages to relive these magical moments through the eyes and emotions of the men who were there, playing for the white shirt. From Alan Curtis''s jaw-dropping first goal in the First Division to James Thomas''s epic survival hat-trick in 2003, here are the stories from the players that created these moments. Alan Tate recalls his tales of the Championship play-off final, Lee Trundle remembers the 2006 Football League Trophy victory and John Toshack selects a game he watched entirely from the sidelines - the promotion-winning match against Preston North End in 1981. Vetch legends Mel Nurse, Leon Britton, Wyndham Evans and Roger Freestone also turn in characteristic star performances, winding back the clock to relive treasured memories of the Match of Their Life for the Swans.

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The Premier: Big Business and Great Football explores the history and evolution of the world's most popular football league. Discover the curiosities and stand-out moments as well as fascinating stories of the owners, managers, players, fans and chroniclers who have lit up England's top-flight league.

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The Mighty Atom: The Life of Boxing Legend Jimmy Wilde is the long-awaited biography of a boxing all-time great whose brilliance defied logic.Born in a Welsh mining town, Jimmy learnt his trade in fairground boxing booths and went on to become a legend and arguably Britain''s greatest ever fighter pound for pound.Blessed with freakish knockout power that belied his skeletal frame, Wilde frequently conceded weight to opponents, trouncing men who were as much as two stone heavier than himself. He was crowned world flyweight king when he stopped the tough Italian-American Young Zulu Kid in 1916.Practically unbeatable in his heyday, Jimmy was a superstar who rubbed shoulders with the likes of the Prince of Wales and Lord Lonsdale, and played himself in a silent movie based on his life. A century after his final fight, boxing historians still widely consider him the greatest flyweight ever.This book tells the story, in and out of the ring, of

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Updated for 2024, and (hopefully) to coincide with the club's return to the Premier League, Ipswich Town On This Day is an appointment with those magical days and memorable moments from the club's illustrious past with an entry for every day of the year.From Town''s Victorian formation through to the Premier League era, the Portman Road faithful have witnessed promotions and relegations, league and cup triumphs, hard-fought derbies and unforgettable European nights and they all feature here along with all-time greats such as John Wark, Ray Crawford, Billy Baxter, Arnold Muhren and Mick Mills.Revisit 18th January 1969 for Bobby Robson''s first game in charge, a 2-2 draw away at Everton. 30th October 1926, when Barclays Bank beat Town 3-1 at Portman Road, but not before the game had been held up to clear an invasion of rats. Or 20th May 1981, that wonderful night that Town won the UEFA Cup in Amsterdam!

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Andy Bollen explores the history, tradition and violent nature of football''s biggest clashes.In unravelling the history of these infamous feuds, Bollen gets to the crux of each conflict, exploring why the fans dislike each other so vehemently.Football is often a search for political identity, as in Spain''s El Clásico between Barcelona and Real Madrid, while in Buenos Aires'' Superclásico, it''s poverty and privilege at the heart of the rivalry between working-class Boca Juniors and bourgeois River Plate.Whether it''s the Cairo derby with Al Ahly and Zamalek, the Croatian chaos of Dinamo Zagreb and Hajduk Split or Turkey''s Intercontinental derby with Galatasaray and Fenerbahçe, these clashes are a potent mix of fanatical zealot, political rally and crazed ultras preparing for war.Showcasing and detailing football''s great games, names and most memorable moments, Bollen has penned an important work on classic derbies and epic rivalries.

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Over Land and Sea is the story of West Ham United in Europe, exploring the rich history of the Hammers'' European fixtures dating back more than a century.Aside from winning two major trophies 58 years apart - the European Cup Winners'' Cup in 1965 and the UEFA Conference League in 2023 - West Ham have not exactly blazed a trail through Europe. But there''s more to the club''s connection with the continent than first meets the eye.The Hammers have a rich tradition of playing friendlies against continental opponents, having travelled to Spain as long ago as 1921; while in the 1950s top European sides played under the new floodlights at Upton Park.Although West Ham''s success in Europe has largely been in competitions that no longer exist, there''s a great deal to discover about their wider European story, as captured in this immersive book.Short description (max 350 characters; actual = 325 characters)About the author (max 450 characters;

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The Fox: Harry Hopman and the Greatest Dynasty in Tennis History is the story of how one man drove a tiny nation to dominate a global sport. The Grand Slams, Wimbledon crowns and Davis Cups his players won made Australia famous. They called him simply Mr Hopman but the New York Times called him a ''one-man dynasty''.He was revered for his success but reviled for his methods. He had no formal education as a coach or trainer but relentlessly pursued sporting excellence. Hopman''s approach was revolutionary to a genteel sport, introducing the grit of gymnasiums and endurance exercises that bordered on sadistic.This book examines the many shades of Harry Hopman: the outsider who willed himself to play for his country and battled the sport''s establishment; the schemer who saw America dominate the sport and devised a way to beat them; the unquestioned leader; and eventually the ageing coach who embraced the ''me generation''.

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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

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Top Man is the fascinating, inspirational and informative autobiography of popular former footballer and radio journalist Geoff Twentyman.Brought up in the footballing heartlands on Merseyside, Geoff junior is the son of former Liverpool player and later legendary scout Geoff senior. Released from his beloved Reds as a teenager, Geoff plied his trade in non-league football before a chance to become professional came at Preston North End. A cultured central defender, he was signed by Bobby Gould and quickly gained legendary status with Rovers fans due to his total commitment; he was made club captain and as skipper he led the Gas' through one of their most successful periods.As a player he always gave time to the media for interviews, and when Geoff hung up his boots, he picked up the microphone. He became a staple on the sports desk at BBC Radio Bristol, fronting the station's sports shows. With a reputation for a no-nonsense approach with players and

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Rinascimento tells the tale of Napoli''s first Serie A title in 33 years, an achievement that saw the football-mad city celebrate like never before.Before the 2022/23 season, SSC Napoli and Luciano Spalletti were considered two of Italy''s great underachievers. The club had not won a league title since Diego Maradona led them to glory in 1990. Spalletti had won respect across a three-decade managerial career but did not have a Serie A winner''s medal to his name. These perennial bridesmaids came together in 2021, and two years later changed the narrative with a campaign that will live long in the memory.Napoli''s first Maradona-less Serie A triumph came out of the blue, having experienced near-misses and significant squad turnover in the years beforehand. A largely unknown and unfancied group of players adopted Spalletti''s tactical blueprint and delivered beautiful, winning football - the kind of football that its passionate fanbase could attach itself t

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As a bowler with Warwickshire, he was tipped to play Test cricket for England. An ambition that was killed by coaches who tampered with his bowling action. With the result that, within months, he went from an England contender to free transfer. Steve recalls that time of his life with no bitterness just humour and gratitude at playing when county cricket was filled with the world's best. If his derailed career was a test, a much bigger one lay ahead.A Cricket Man is more than a cricket book, it is also a love story and a life story. Perryman became a fine bowling coach, helping Warwickshire to the Championship title. Always beside him, inspiring him was his beloved wife Carol. She was his cornerstone until their lives were turned upside down when Carol was diagnosed with cancer, and she passed away in 2018.Perryman recounts that heartbreaking time in his life, in powerful chapters where his sadness is underpinned by strength, and heartbreak is accompanied by jo

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The Man with the Plan: Howard Wilkinson''s Leeds United is the extraordinary tale of how Wilkinson revived a football club that had fallen on hard times, and developed the best team in the country.When this master builder became manager of Leeds United in 1988, the team was struggling at the bottom of the Second Division, but a meeting of the minds with chairman Leslie Silver and a ten-year plan for the transformation of the club was hatched. In less than four years, Leeds had won promotion to the top flight, become Football League champions and were back in European competition for the first time in 13 years.It was an extraordinary period in the history of the game: at the start of a new era at home and abroad, with the arrival of the Sky-backed Premier League and UEFA''s new-look Champions League. With both came a new level of wealth thanks to ground-breaking television deals. Leeds were once again at the top table of English

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Sweeper Keeper is the compelling story of legendary goalkeeper Tommy Lawrence, one of the heroes of Bill Shankly''s Liverpool, who has been called the first ''sweeper keeper''. A chance interview with the BBC in 2015 made Tommy Lawrence a viral sensation. The one-in-a-million-chance meeting led to a heart-warming recollection of his playing days for Liverpool.Lawrence''s story has a lot more to it than meets the eye. Known affectionately as ''the Flying Pig'', the fabled goalkeeper led a roller-coaster life. After moving to Warrington with his family as a child, Tommy became friendly with local brothers Peter and Roger Hunt. Lawrence and Roger Hunt went on to be mainstays of Shankly''s Liverpool revolution, winning league titles and the club''s first FA Cup.The romance at Anfield ended abruptly, though, and there was no testimonial. From riches on the pitch to rags on the streets, Tommy''s life story is told b

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Cricket 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

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Rise of a New Dynasty charts FC Barcelona Femini''s journey from 2019 to 2023 with in-depth tactical analysis and player interviews. Barcelona is an iconic brand in European and world football, and the men''s team''s success has been mirrored by the achievements of the women''s team, creating a sense of unity throughout the club.Barcelona Femini has emerged as one of Europe''s most dominant forces of recent times, winning the UEFA Women''s Champions League in 2021 and again in 2023 to solidify their legacy.The book explores the factors behind their sustained growth, analysing the tactics and strategies that led to their success in Europe. It highlights the contributions of Ballon d''Or winner Alexia Putellas, as well as other superstars like Caroline Graham Hansen and Aitana Bonmati, and examines how they came together as a cohesive unit to conquer Europe.

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Set during Kerry Packer's World Series Cricket revolution, this book tells the story of the Australian Test cricketers plucked from the backwaters of the domestic game to take on full-strength international sides.Some became cricketing greats. Others were lost in the footnotes of history. But all have important stories to share.From 1977/78 to the reconciliation, two Australian sides competed in parallel universes: World Series Cricket's glamorous rock star realm and the attritional reality of Test cricket fought by predominantly younger, poorly paid men honouring the baggy green. Friendships were broken, and new bonds formed, as the public first sided with the traditional game before backing World Series Cricket in greater numbers.Kerry Packer eventually won the cricketing war. However, Test cricket survived because of those who carried the Australian banner for the game. These players became known as the 'Establishment Boys' and until now they have barely been acknowledged.

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The Africa Cup of Nations explores the vibrant history of one of football’s iconic but often overlooked international tournaments.For a long time, the Africa Cup of Nations has been seen as a nuisance to European clubs and fans. However, the tournament has a rich history and is fast becoming an event that brings together the finest players in the world. Africa’s cup has witnessed some tremendous teams, from the great Ghana side of the 1960s, to the Zaire team of the 1970s, right up to the dominant Egypt side of the 2000s.There are many stories of redemption and achievement, such as the return of South Africa in the 1990s following apartheid, and the triumph of Zambia after the tragedy of 1993. The book brings us all the great teams, managers and players who have lit up the tournament. As well as turning the spotlight on African football, it examines the history of African states, looking at how events off the pitch – including apartheid in South Africa and anti-colonial movements – impacted those on it.

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The Last Corinthian: The Cricketing Life of MJK Smith is the story of the illustrious cricketing career of Mike Smith, one of England's most popular captains. At Oxford he broke records by scoring centuries in each of his three Varsity matches and captained the team in his final year. He was appointed captain of Warwickshire at the age of 23, and captain of England six years later. Predominantly a leg-side player, he was a prolific run scorer in county cricket, and also an outstanding fielder at short-leg. Mike played in 50 Test matches and led several successful overseas tours. His democratic approach, modesty, integrity and unfailing good humour made him one of England's most admired captains. Mike is England's only living double international, having played rugby for England against Wales in 1956. The book draws on extensive interviews with Mike to tell his story, as well as eyewitness accounts and anecdotes from former team-mates and opponents, including Sir Geoffrey Boycott, Dennis Amiss and Bob Barber.

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The year 2015 was a historic one for the England women's cricket team, their first full year as professional players and with every ball of their Ashes series live on television and radio. As the dramatic events of the summer unfolded, David Tossell was given exclusive access to follow at close quarters, from freezing training mornings in the dead of winter to the dressing room and team meetings in the heat of battle against Australia. Under the guidance of a coach who cared deeply about their performance and welfare, a diverse group of girls came together in the pursuit of international glory and personal achievement, united by a remarkable love for each other and a passion for their profession. As The Girls of Summer reveals, they would need every piece of resilience and resolve those bonds could offer. With a foreword by England captain Charlotte Edwards.

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Former Glories and New Beginnings takes us on a nostalgia-filled journey through Aberdeen FC’s glory years, while looking ahead to a promising future. The mere mention of the word ‘Gothenburg’ to older Dons fans instantly conjures memories of European nights under the floodlights, of Simpson and Strachan, McLeish and Miller, of Munich and Madrid. Mention ‘Gothenburg’ to younger fans and they know – it is a story etched in the annals of Scottish football. This book recreates not just one magical European trophy-winning night in May 1983, but the club’s trophy-laden golden era of the late 1970s to mid-80s. The moment a young manager called Alex Ferguson arrived, the balance of power began to shift. Only the best win championships, only the best win trophies at home and abroad. Forty years on, Aberdeen has been away from the top table for too long. Under the stewardship of Dave Cormack, the club is entering a new era, giving fans high hopes for the future.

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Cotton, Cricket and Football: Billy Cook, the Life of a Lancashire League Legend is the colourful story of one of Lancashire’s greatest sportsmen of the pre-war era, told from the perspective of his daughter, a mill-worker in Burnley. Billy Cook played cricket in the golden era of ‘Gentlemen and Players’ but he was no gentleman. He played to win and he played for money – the money generated by the cotton mills of Lancashire. Billy played with and against some of the legends of the time, including Syd Barnes, Archie MacLaren and Learie Constantine. In the winter he was a hard-tackling full-back for Oldham Athletic, who achieved national notoriety for his win-at-all-costs approach to the game. Billy’s sporting career was interrupted by his service on the Western Front, where he narrowly avoided death. He returned to the Lancashire League to set records that still stand today. Cook was the archetypal hard-nosed professional, who entertained the working men of Lancashire for more than 30 years.

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Match Fit takes an in-depth look at mental health in football, from the Premier League down to five-a-side, in the hope of destigmatising this much-neglected topic, with candid contributions from the likes of Chris Kirkland, Paul Lambert and Marcus Bent. Subjects such as the issues facing footballers after retirement and the rise of social media are placed under the microscope, and we discover how being a football fan can benefit your mental health. Seasoned pros discuss the challenges they’ve faced in football, speaking openly about personal experiences most of us wouldn’t associate with the glamour of the beautiful game. From a grassroots perspective, there are uplifting stories of how people have learnt to manage their mental health, with football as a key tool to help them get through their day-to-day lives. If the interviewees – involved in a sport that has traditionally lauded masculinity and the absence of so-called weakness – can open up about their mental health, then so can anyone.

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In Safe Hands: Rangers' Goalkeeping Greats chronicles the careers of the players who have kept goal for Scotland's most successful football club. From as far back as the days of the founding fathers, Rangers have been blessed with some of the finest goalkeepers in the game. The likes of David Reid, Matthew Dickie, Harry Rennie, Willie Robb, Jerry Dawson, Bobby Brown, George Niven, Billy Ritchie, Peter McCloy, Chris Woods, Andy Goram, Stefan Klos and Allan McGregor have all served the club with distinction. But this book isn't just about the leading lights. Meticulously researched, it explores the Rangers careers of every player to have played in goal for the Gers. The stories are brought to life by personal insights and reflections from past and present Rangers keepers such as Peter McCloy, Jim Stewart, Chris Woods, Lionel Charbonnier, Andy Dibble, Neil Alexander and Allan McGregor. There is also a poignant tribute to the late Andy Goram, arguably the greatest Rangers goalkeeper of all time.

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From Darkness into Light tells the fascinating story of how a handful of intrepid cricketing soldiers helped save the game from oblivion. English cricket emerged from the Great War in a bruised and battered state. A four-year hiatus in the first-class game had left administrators, players and aficionados anxious about whether life on the field could ever be the same again. The state of Test cricket was even worse after the disastrous experiment of the Triangular Series of 1912. Into this maelstrom of uncertainty stepped the Australian Imperial Forces team. Comprised of men waiting for demobilisation, the XI toured England and Scotland in the summer of 1919. They were well received by cricket-hungry crowds and provided a great fillip to ailing county finances. The popularity of international cricket was confirmed, and the tour paved the way for the resumption of Ashes contests the following year. This book traces the origins of the AIF XI and examines the myriad of controversies and confusion that surrounded its inception.

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Never Stop is the story of how Australian manager Ange Postecoglou took Celtic from the edge of despair to the UEFA Champions League, via a domestic double in his debut season. Postecoglou arrived in Glasgow with virtually no reputation on this side of the world, but through his compelling media appearances, enthralling style of football and winning habit, he soon became one of the most iconic Celtic managers since the legendary Jock Stein. Celtic were in crisis on and off the park in the summer of 2021, with numerous key players, including iconic captain Scott Brown, leaving the club after a season that had seen them finish 25 points behind Rangers. As Postecoglou arrived amid the chaos - and brought talent like Kyogo Furuhashi, Josip Juranovic and Jota with him - Celtic fans also returned to the stadium for the first time since the start of the pandemic. Postecoglou, his players and the support formed an unbreakable bond that would lead Celtic to the Premiership title and back to the group stages of the UEFA Champions League.

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At every turn, Rangers Football Club is steeped in history, but often that history centres on the club's well-known legends whose names and deeds are part of football folklore. What about the players whose stories have been lost in the fog of time? Rangers' history is about more than just a select group of stars. Rather, it is a rich tapestry of interconnecting tales, with each of the hundreds of players to have played for the club having their own unique story. Our Rangers Heroes brings to life some of the lesser-known tales of icons of the past. From a Scotsman managing Egypt in the 1934 World Cup, to the Danish Resistance fighting the Nazis, to a Croatian car mechanic who lived the dream on the Côte d'Azur, there are countless untold stories from Rangers' proud and interesting past that need to be told. This book uncovers some of the very best of them.

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