Search results for ""Pitch Publishing""

Football is about goals, great players and glory. But it's also about own goals, goats and the game gone wrong. Pulp Football looks at the comedy rather than the beauty of the world's favourite sport, the farce not the force: the incompetent coaches, the 30-yard thunderbolt that ends up in the wrong net, the players' Christmas parties that ended up in the courts. Find out how a murder was uncovered because Blackburn built a new stand, which manager was sacked after only ten minutes in a job, which mascot pulled the head off a rival and kicked it into the stands and which player scored all four goals in a 2-2 draw. Written by experienced Fleet Street scribe Nick Szczepanik, he has unearthed some cracking tales and stood up some of those so-called football myths. With sections devoted to owners, managers, goalkeepers, players, mascots, fans and of course, sex, drugs and rock n roll...Pulp Football is what it says it is: an amazing anthology of true football stories you simply couldn't make up!

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Millions watched the 2015 Women's World Cup as the England Lionesses roared in Canada, winning bronze. Their fighting spirit and fabulous skill captured the fascination of the entire country as their campaign unfolded in the small hours of the 2015 summer mornings. On the back of this success, attendances in the FA Women's Super League increased, as interest in women's football accelerated. Top stars talked enthusiastically about the dawn of a new era for women's football. Carrie Dunn spent a year following some of the most famous - and not so famous - female footballers in the country, to see what the future holds for women's football. Can the smaller, lower-profile teams ever compete with the big bucks and big names of the Women's Super League? How are grassroots clubs going to rise to the top when elite divisions of women's football depend on the award of licences? Can the women win a World Cup before the men do? And if they do, what reward and recognition will they get? Roar of the Lionesses tells the tale of an increasingly popular, yet still woefully underrepresented sport.

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Former county cricketer and one-time England Test batsman Alan Butcher was looking for a new challenge after leaving his job coaching Surrey County Cricket Club. A phone call out of the blue from a Zimbabwean great alerted him to the possibility of coaching the nation's cricket team. His three years in charge presents an insight into the at times schizophrenic nature of cricket in this intriguing country. Starting at the point when Butcher was offered the job, he describes the process of moulding a team out of a dispirited and disillusioned group of players. Part cricket memoir, part travelogue, part ode to Zimbabwe, part lament for a beautiful-but-troubled country, The Good Murungu? is a fascinating insight into Zimbabwean cricket.

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AFC Bournemouth Miscellany collects together all the vital information you never knew you needed to know about the Cherries. In these pages you will find irresistible anecdotes and the most mindblowing stats and facts. Heard the one about the 42-year-old former manager who was coaxed out of retirement to play on the left wing? How about James Hayter's fastest ever hat-trick in Football League history? Or the time 60,000 supporters lined the seafront to congratulate the champions on their Premier League promotion? Do you know which Cherries goalie stood 6ft 9in tall? Why 60s inside-forward Alan Hope suddenly became Alan O'Neill? Or which Cherries star was the first to top the scoring charts in three different divisions? All these stories and hundreds more appear in a brilliantly researched collection of trivia - essential for any Bournemouth fan who holds the riches of the club's history close to their heart.

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The Thin White Line: The Inside Story of Cricket's Greatest Scandal tells the story of the spot-fixing scandal of 2010, which sent shockwaves through the sport. It stunned the wider sporting world and confirmed the reputation of the News of the World's Mazher Mahmood as the most controversial news reporter of his generation. It was the start of a stunning chain of events that saw the News of the World shut down, Pakistan captain Salman Butt and bowlers Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir banned and sent to prison, before Mahmood himself ended up behind bars. This gripping, forensic account takes the reader through the twists and turns of those fateful days late one August and beyond. For the first time, it shines a light on the tradecraft of the News of the World team and how they exposed the criminal scheming of the cricketers and their fixer Mazhar Majeed. It reveals how deeply fixing had penetrated the Pakistan dressing room, and lifts the lid on the black arts of investigative reporting which would eventually prove Mahmood's undoing.

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Brighton & Hove On This Day revisits all the most magical and memorable moments from the two towns' pulsating history, mixing in a maelstrom of quirky anecdotes and legendary characters to produce an irresistibly dippable B&H diary - with an entry for every day of the year. Everything you never knew you needed to know about your favourite resort.

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Irresistible anecdotes, irrepressible characters, mindblowing stats and facts. Here's all the vital information you never knew you needed to know about Portsmouth FC, coupled with a day-by-day diary of magical and memorable moments from Pompey's rollercoaster history. Heard the one about the Fratton Park cleaner who claimed she was the holder of the FA Cup? How about the full-back who could throw the ball 37 yards? Or the bedridden invalid cured by Pompey's winning goal in the 1939 Cup Final? Turn back the clock to 17 May 2008, when Kanu's strike against Cardiff saw Portsmouth lift the FA Cup. Revisit 23 April 1949 when the lads were crowned Football League champions. Or 31 August 1946, when club legends Jimmy Dickinson and Peter Harris both made their debuts against Blackburn! 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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From the thousands of matches ever played by Tottenham Hotspur, stretching from the club's Victorian foundation by local schoolboys across 130 years to the Premier League era, here are 50 of Spurs' most glorious, epochal and thrilling games of all! Expertly presented in evocative historical context, and described incident-by-incident in atmospheric detail, Tottenham Hotspur's Greatest Games offers a terrace ticket back in time, taking in everything from Southern League championship seasons to the club's eight victorious FA Cup runs. An irresistible cast list of club legends - Alf Ramsey, Bill Nicholson and Edwardian superstar Sandy Brown, Danny Blanchflower, Glenn Hoddle and Jimmy Greaves - springs to life in a thrilling selection of hard-fought derby matches, landmark European victories, league and cup wins, including the landing of the 20th century's first Double. In all, a journey through the highlights of Spurs history which is guaranteed to make any fan's heart swell with pride.

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Whenever a famous footballer dies, there is an inevitable degree of public grief, depending on the age of the individual and the circumstances of his demise. But newspaper obituaries, in the majority of cases, are not about mourning. They are about the celebration of the lives of often remarkable characters who have loomed large in the collective consciousness of their countless supporters, people who have admired them week by week, season by season; been touched by them, perhaps outraged by them, maybe even loved them in that special way which fans reserve for their sporting heroes.The "Independent" newspaper is renowned for its detailed and heartfelt biographies of important figures in every sphere of life. "The Book Of Football Obituaries" deals with the detailed life and times of over 150 players, managers and personalities who have died in the last 15 years. Between these covers rest the likes of George Best, Alan Ball, Sir Stanley Matthews, Sir Alf Ramsey, Brian Clough, Emlyn Hughes, John Charles and many more. The list is formidable, the scale of their achievement truly uplifting, and the essence of these exceptional men is captured here. This collection, featuring iconic images of every person included in the book, reveals the depth and breadth of research and knowledge which goes into each obituary and forms a collection of stunning remembrances of some of the greatest personalities to grace the game in recent times.

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The Racing Post Royal Ascot Guide 2024 is packed with tips and information for the world-famous five-day extravaganza of top-class Flat racing. Royal Ascot is always extra special on and off the track and this guide from the best team in the business is the perfect companion. It features an in-depth look at all 35 races across the five days, accompanied by a host of betting pointers and analysis to help punters find those all-important winners. Along with profiles of the leading contenders from Britain and Ireland, you''ll get the lowdown on the international challenge, eyecatchers to note, the best early two-year-olds and the standouts on Racing Post Ratings. With all angles covered, this is the ideal way to get set for Royal Ascot 2024.

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Fosse v Luffs is a story filled with drama, excitement, controversy - and violence - about a footballing rivalry as intense as any in modern English football. The Fosse (forerunner of Leicester City) were the dominant club in the town of Leicester, and Loughborough (the Luffs) were the biggest and most successful team in the county of Leicestershire. Each encounter between these two sides was a battle for supremacy within the county. Fosse v Luffs charts the growth of the rivalry, from amateur games played in front of a handful of family and friends to Football League encounters witnessed by 10,000-plus spectators, with thousands more eagerly awaiting the outcome. Drawing on extensive newspaper research, Nigel Freestone brings to life this forgotten era when football was a bone-crunching game and not for the faint-hearted. It's a must-read for anyone interested in Leicester City FC, Victorian sport or local history.

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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.

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Three Goalkeepers and Seven Goals turns the clock back to 1982 for the most memorable match in Leicester City history - a quarter-final FA Cup tie with Shrewsbury Town that stands without parallel for twists and drama. Told through the eyes of fictional reporter Bob Johnson, the story brings to life that extraordinary game, as a capacity crowd wedged into the atmospheric Filbert Street witnesses Leicester stage a spectacular 5-2 comeback using three goalkeepers. Set in an era of macho newsrooms, Thatcher and the Falklands War, the book resurrects a remarkable period in British history. Hard-nosed newspaperman Johnson thinks he's seen it all, but his world is turned upside down as one of the lucky fans who witness Leicester's inspirational comeback, aided by a goal from a young Gary Lineker. Johnson's account captures the immense drama of this epic game before tragedy strikes. In Three Goalkeepers and Seven Goals, Mark Bishop skilfully weaves fact with fiction to honour a match that is part of Leicester City folklore.

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When the final whistle was blown at Upton Park on 10 May 2016, it was more than a football match that had ended. West Ham United's victory over Manchester United was the club's spectacular swansong after 112 years at its spiritual home. The Boleyn's Farewell: West Ham's Final Game at Upton Park delves into one of the club's most historic nights, with insight from players, fans and others who were there. Everything from the atmosphere before the game, Winston Reid's winner and the digitised Bobby Moore switching off the stadium lights, the build-up and aftermath of the game, as well as the on-pitch action are recounted and celebrated within these pages. This was an evening that would come to define a generation and is unforgettable for many West Ham supporters. While the Boleyn Ground no longer stands, memories of the stadium and the Hammers' glorious farewell performance will endure. The Boleyn's Farewell is the definitive account of one of the most significant matches in West Ham's long history.

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Bails and Boardrooms is the story of one of Middlesex cricket's best-loved players - a man who used the sport to change his life. David Nash lived and breathed cricket from a very young age. Touted as a future England star at age 15, he eventually found the strains of life as a professional cricketer too great and suffered severe mental-health issues. But the end of Nashy's 16-year Middlesex career proved to be the beginning of something far greater. Determined to make something more of his life, he set out on a journey that would see him build a multi-million-pound business. It was a business that would be his proudest achievement. This book charts Nashy's extraordinary life, from a cricket career of unfulfilled potential to building a business using the lessons he learnt from sport and raising millions for charity. This is a story for anyone who loves cricket or is interested in entrepreneurship. It's a story that shows how hard work, determination and talent can take you almost anywhere.

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Football is more than just a game. Over the past 150 years it has become a source of identity, conflict and debate for all who follow and play it. It has reached the farthest corners of the globe and boasts more players and supporters than any other sport. Football's Fifty Most Important Moments charts the illustrious, colourful and often tragic history of football, uncovering the sport's most significant and staggering moments. Starting in Victorian England with the 1857 introduction of modern football, we journey through 160 years of incredible events to the modern day, where new and innovative ideas are changing the game. Since its creation, football has been shaped by the actions of teams, supporters and of course remarkable individuals on and off the pitch. Whether through mass spectatorship at the 1923 'White Horse Final' or the infamous 'Hand of God' in 1986, football has never failed to amaze and inspire. Learn about its evolution from its modest 19th-century roots to the modern age of nine-figure transfer fees and billionaire investors.

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Stoke and I: The Nineties charts the fortunes of Stoke City Football Club through the decade that spawned Britpop, Euro 96 and Cool Britannia. Key moments such as the title-winning season of 1992/93, the Autoglass Trophy victory and the emotional farewell to the Victoria Ground are recounted through the eyes of a fan growing up in the last decade before football changed beyond recognition. Memories of players and matches, from the great to the awful, sit alongside hilarious tales of playground Potteries derbies, embarrassing school football trials and the author's attempts to become pen pals with Jon Dreyer. Featuring selected highlights from Neil James's popular 'Trouserdog' column in The Oatcake fanzine, plus a wealth of new material and new insights from key figures such as Lou Macari, Mike Sheron and Peter Coates, Stoke and I: The Nineties is a personal take on a fascinating period in the history of England's second-oldest league club.

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Got, Not Got: The Lost World of Derby County is an Aladdin's cave of memories and memorabilia, guaranteed to whisk you back to the Baseball Ground's fondly remembered 'Golden Age' of mud and magic - as well as a Rams-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 - Rams stickers and petrol freebies, league ladders, big-match programmes and much more - revisiting lost football culture, treasures and pleasures that are 100 per cent Derby County. If you were a Junior Ram, one of the army of obsessive soccer kids at any time from when Cloughie's lads won the League to the early days of the Premier League, then this is the book to recall the mavericks - Mackay, Lee and Hector, George, Saunders and Gabbiadini - and the marvels of the Lost World of Football.

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This is Brough Scott's moving biography of his grandfather - the author of the best-selling Warrior. 'Galloper' Jack Seely was at the heart of some of the most important events of the first part of the 20th century. His early life was one of adventure, sailing to the antipodes, saving the crew of a French ship wrecked off the coast of the Isle of Wight and later raising a squadron and joining the Boer War, where he was awarded the DSO for his bravery. On his return to England he was elected Conservative MP for the Isle of Wight, but just like his close friend Winston Churchill, later crossed over to the Liberal party. At the outbreak of the First World War, Seely went to the Western Front and there made his name as a humane and innovative leader. Written with honesty and wit, this is an exciting, unusual and thought-provoking biography of a man who has been unfairly treated by history.

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The Claret and Blue Book of West Ham United collects together all the vital information you never knew you needed to know about the Iron. In these pages you will find irresistible anecdotes and the most mindblowing stats and facts. Heard the one about the time the team's train was delayed for hours, so the match at Chesterfield was played in front of only 3,000 spectators? How about the goalie who made his debut playing at centre-forward? Do you know in which year West Ham last won at Anfield? Which five League grounds have staged the club's seven FA Cup semi-finals? Or how many managers were employed from the Iron's foundation in 1902 through to Ron Greenwood's appointment in 1962? All these stories and hundreds more appear in a brilliantly researched collection of trivia, essential for any West Ham fan who holds the riches of claret-and-blue history close to their heart.

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Winner 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.

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Data Game: The Story of Liverpool FC''s Analytics Revolution explores the lesser-known story of how Liverpool rose to greatness in the 21st century with the help of big data.The Anfield institution is an industry leader in the field of data science, but little is known about how Liverpool''s relationship with numbers began, and how the marriage of data and football helped to deliver wins on the pitch by impacting tactics and recruitment.Upon their takeover, Fenway Sports Group set out to transform Liverpool into a data-driven organisation, but there is a story behind why that vision took around a decade to become a reality.From errors in the transfer market, to suboptimal playing styles, to conflicting egos, Liverpool jumped many hurdles before achieving their ambitions under Jürgen Klopp, with the German surrounded by unsung heroes who shunned the limelight. This is the tale of how Liverpool gained an edge over their wealthier rivals b

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Almost Invincible is the story of the West Indies in the 1980s, one of the greatest teams in Test cricket history, at their brilliant best.During the English summer of 1984, captain Clive Lloyd had an array of all-time greats within the ranks, including Viv Richards, Gordon Greenidge, Malcolm Marshall, Michael Holding, Desmond Haynes, Joel Garner, Jeffrey Dujon and others.Facing an England team in transition but still possessing skipper David Gower, star all-rounder Ian Botham and the in-form batsman Allan Lamb, the West Indies followed a series victory over Australia with a 5-0 win in England, a series that was famously nicknamed the ''Blackwash''.The book examines all the side-stories connected with the tour - from the ridiculously frenetic schedule to the closely fought one-day series, from the county tour matches to the intricate details of the five Tests. Author Richard Sydenham has spoken to many of the central characters and reflects on the

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Renowned football writer and Spurs expert Julie Welch brings us a revealing and exhilarating account of the club's roller-coaster journey down the decades through the prism of its key strike partnerships.In 1961, Bobby Smith and Les Allen were the strike duo who led Tottenham to the league and cup double, making them the first club to achieve the feat in the modern era. It set in train Spurs' proud record of memorable strike partnerships whose goals brought glory to the club, rescued it from the doldrums or simply supplied unforgettable entertainment to millions of fans.These strike duos featured some of the greatest goalscorers and biggest personalities in English football history - from the top flight's record scorer in Jimmy Greaves partnering Alan Gilzean, to Steve Archibald and Garth Crooks, Teddy Sheringham and Jurgen Klinsmann and Son Heung-min and Harry Kane. Packed with insight, anecdotes and the recollections of legendary players, managers and supporters, Double Acts brings to life a rich and glorious history.

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Bring Me that Horizon is a fascinating quest into the heart and soul of Portuguese football.Journeying across its landscape, from old and forgotten bastions of invincibility to new, muscled industrial areas where dreams come true, the book uncovers the multiple identities of Portugal as a nation.Whether visiting historical clubs that were miraculously brought back to life or getting to grips with the complexity of Portugal's 'Game of Thrones' fight for supremacy, the book traces a route north to south, island to island, without forgetting the profound connection with Africa and Brazil.From Eusébio's glorious career to Cândido de Oliveira's adventures as a British intelligence agent, the book reveals a nation that already had fantastic tales to tell before it became the flavour of the month for football hipsters at the turn of the millennium. There's much more to Portugal's football heritage than Ronaldo and Mourinho.

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Liverpool Football Club Ruined My Life is a personal and nostalgic account of the author's 60 years supporting Everton. It examines why Liverpool overtook the Toffees as the dominant Merseyside club.Bob Waterhouse whisks us back to Merseyside in the early 1960s, where he grew up supporting Everton, and takes us through to the present day. During his 60 years supporting the club, Bob has witnessed many key matches that have punctuated Everton's decline, such as the 1971 FA Cup semi-final defeat to Liverpool, as well as experiencing the hope of a possible reverse in the 1980s when he attended winning cup finals at home and in Europe. Along the way, he reflects on some of the major events and eras he lived through - from the Vietnam War, to the Thatcher years, to 9/11.The book shines a light on the experiences of the post-war baby-boomers, including the generational conflict they faced and the new opportunities offered by the expansion of higher education.

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Newcastle 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.

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A People's History of Tottenham Hotspur is the story of how fans helped create the identity of a world-famous club and tells a story from a perspective rarely acknowledged. Drawing on social history, contemporary press reports and first-hand interviews with the fans themselves, authors Martin Cloake and Alan Fisher trace the club's development from being the team of the suburbs and the rising south, through the glory years and the arrival of mass, popular culture, and into the modern era of the game. It is not a tale of trophies won and lost, of players bought and sold. Instead, it is the story of how one of the game's oldest and most famous teams was formed and established by its fans and how its identity was created by them. It evaluates how the fans' relationship with the club has evolved, as the game has changed: from those bygone days, when a club was at the heart of a local community, to the modern era, where the world's leading football clubs have to compete as multinational 'brands', appealing to fans on a global scale, stretching much further and wider than the north London footprint than the club's founders would have ever imagined.

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An Echo of Glory: Tottenham Hotspur in the 21st Century delves into the famous club's recent past to uncover how Spurs emerged from a stagnant period in the 1990s to once again compete for the game's highest honours. At the turn of the millennium, Tottenham were languishing in mid-table mediocrity, out of all the cup competitions and about to say goodbye to their star player. Just two decades later they had challenged for the league title, built one of the world's finest stadiums and come so close to the ultimate glory of lifting the Champions League trophy. But this story is not without its twists and turns. In this century, the club has been through some of its most testing times, as heroes have come and gone and the revolving door of managers has hardly stopped spinning. Gareth Thomas peels back the layers on the key characters that have left their mark on the club, bringing fresh perspectives and shedding new light on the issues and events that continue to shape the present and future of Tottenham Hotspur.

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Pride Before the Fall: How Derby County went from Play-Off Final to Near Extinction is the ultimate cautionary tale of how chasing Premier League riches can lead a club to the brink of collapse. It’s a story of how one of English football’s greatest clubs were on the cusp of Premier League football, but instead were left to rue play-off heartache and then went down a path of EFL charges and legal battles, phantom takeovers from American and Saudi businessmen, administration, points deductions and a seemingly endless stream of financial woes. That tiny snowflake in the background would turn into a raging snowstorm. But before all that England and Manchester United’s record goalscorer Wayne Rooney turned up to partner with former Barcelona captain Phillip Cocu to lead a play-off push back to English football’s top tier – at least that was the plan. The book examines how a founding member of the English Football League – and two-time First Division champions – were nearly wiped off the face of the earth.

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National Hunt Champion trainer Nicky Henderson OBE shares behind-the-scenes stories of the dozen most extraordinary thoroughbreds that have defined his glittering career. After his early days as an amateur jockey and assistant to Fred Winter, Nicky started his own training yard, which would become the home of such great riders as Sir AP McCoy, Barry Geraghty, John Francome, Mick Fitzgerald, Sam Waley-Cohen, Richard Dunwoody, Nico de Boinville and many others. From his triple Champion Hurdle-winner See You Then, Remittance Man and Nobby the sheep, record-setting Altior, Sprinter Sacre and the greatest comeback in jump racing history, to his new star Constitution Hill, the Henderson yard has been a breeding ground for success. Through exclusive interviews with Nicky and his jockeys, Nicky Henderson: My Life in 12 Horses schools us on life, sport, magic, courage, loss, hope and love.

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Blue was the Colour is a witty, wise and charming assessment of modern football by Chelsea FC fan Andy Hamilton, one of the country’s leading comedy writers and stand-ups, and a novelist to boot.Andy grew up in the streets surrounding Stamford Bridge and fell in love with Chelsea and football as a six-year-old taken to his first match by his older brother. That love endured as an obsession until the modern game’s money and machinations took over and left him questioning its, and his, priorities. Taking as a starting point his first game against Newcastle United and comparing it with a match now between two teams owned by an American – via a Russian – and a Saudi Arabian government arm, the inimitable Hamilton relates how he came to question his passion for his club and football itself. Blue was the Colour will have fans and readers laughing out loud and nodding in agreement.

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Yorkshire Grit: The Life of Ray Illingworth is a fascinating account of one of English cricket's most outstanding figures told by award-winning writer Mark Peel. Raised in the harsh world of Yorkshire cricket, Illingworth's all-round ability and tactical acumen made him an indispensable member of their great sides of the 1950s and 60s. Leaving Yorkshire in 1968, he went on to captain Leicestershire to unprecedented success, and also became one of England's finest captains and the first man since Douglas Jardine nearly 40 years earlier to regain the Ashes in Australia. Yet for all his success on the field, Illingworth's attritional tactics and refusal to compromise made him a controversial figure. His return to Yorkshire as manager was marred by a clash with Geoff Boycott, while his time as England's chairman of selectors and manager saw clashes with Mike Atherton and other top players. In this first biography of Illingworth for nearly 50 years, Peel reappraises a dominant personality who never shied away from controversy.

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The Social One sets out why Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool Football Club are a match made in heaven. In 2015, a romantic German who had once dreamed of becoming a doctor found a pulse in the city of Liverpool and set about leading an intubated club back to the top of the English and European game. Klopp is not just the reformer of Liverpool FC, but a true leader and authentic father figure who has created the most beautiful working environment in modern football, based on his faith in the principles of teamwork and a love for his fellow human being. In the stronghold of socialism, Klopp, a man who says he would never vote for the right, spoke to the heart of the city, became an honorary Scouser and - in the eyes of many - the reincarnation of the legendary Liverpool leader Bill Shankly. Deep and engrossing, this detailed portrait of Klopp is not just a football book but a study of leadership and motivation.

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Crossing the Park: The Men Who Dared to Play for Both Liverpool and Everton casts a spotlight on the players who have turned out for both clubs. Despite less than a mile separating the two teams, only 34 men have worn the colours of both and it's been more than 20 years since a direct transfer between the sides. Why have so few players crossed the park? What is the legacy of those who did? From Liverpool's 'Team of Macs' adorned in blue and white, three men had already played at Anfield but for its previous tenants - Everton. Since then, there has been more than 130 years of transfers and each player has a unique story to tell. The ever-changing face of the clubs' rivalry and friendship can be assessed by looking at the Anfield and Goodison careers of each man. In Conor Coady, we've seen perhaps the final player to cross the park as Everton look for a new home away from L4. The story of this unique rivalry is told through exclusive interviews with the men who dared to cross the divide.

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The Roger Federer Effect tells the story of the world's most famous tennis player in a fresh, innovative way - through the eyes of his friends, rivals, coaches, fans and many others who have been drawn to him as he blazed a trail and transcended the sport. In a glorious career spanning more than two decades, Federer won 20 Grand Slam titles - including eight at Wimbledon - and more than 100 tournaments worldwide, taking the game to a new level and becoming the most popular player the sport has ever seen. As he enters retirement, more than 40 personalities from inside and outside tennis reveal the special place Federer holds in their lives. Through exclusive interviews, they explain the Roger Federer phenomenon. As much as his deeds are important, it is also the intimate details that really make a person who they are. The Roger Federer Effect reveals them in fascinating and often previously untold anecdotes.

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Anatomy of a Genius is a tactical breakdown of Lionel Messi's playing career at FC Barcelona. Despite spending his whole career with the club, the Argentine genius had to adapt and improve his game to become the foundation of Barca's modern success. This book explores his journey - from emerging as a talented prodigy to becoming the best player on the planet - through an enthralling narrative, in-depth tactics and key statistics. A great deal has been written already about the famous boy from Rosario, as his story has been told time and again by journalists and renowned authors. Anatomy of a Genius digs deeper to uncover things we don't already know, delving into stats and tactics to reveal the how and why behind one of the world's greatest athletes and his phenomenal career.

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Glory 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.

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Le Loop: How to Cycle the Tour de France is the incredible tale of how one man took on the world's toughest bike race. Ceri Stone is an ordinary guy. He wanted to do something extraordinary just once in his life. This book is the exhilarating story of that adventure. He lays out a template for personal success, garnered from some rich life experience, and he puts his theories to the test by cycling Le Loop. Le Loop is an annual charitable event where riders cycle the route of the Tour de France one week before the pros. This is an inspiring adventure for athletes of all levels that proves we can achieve our wildest dreams and laugh along the way. Much like the tour itself, there are extreme highs and lows, and Ceri faces them with a searingly honest sense of reflection and a trivial sense of humour. This story is warm, empowering and leaves you itching to get off your sofa - but with a template to succeed at the same time. Join Ceri in his quest to live a life less ordinary.

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Please Don't Take Me Home is the emotional tale of Italian immigrant Simone Abitante's 20-year love affair with Fulham Football Club. After leaving his native country, Simone falls in love with London and its oldest club, embarking on a personal mission to spread the word and get Fulham recognised beyond Britain by as many people as possible. Following the Cottagers through the most successful spell in their modern history, Simone takes his nephews to Craven Cottage where - together with new friends and Whites addicts Jeff, Mark and Ben - they experience unforgettable wins, exhilarating highs and devastating lows, amid rivers of beer, true friendship and an unquenchable passion for the beautiful game. Even after leaving London for Mallorca, Simone keeps following his beloved Fulham, with that famous white jersey serving as a second skin. Played out against a backdrop of heartbreaks, departures and life-changing decisions, Please Don't Take Me Home is a footballing story every fan can relate to.

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Tottenham, From the Lane: The Story of Spurs in N17 is the remarkable local history of the club's journey from humble beginnings in 1882 to opening its state-of-the-art new ground. Founded by schoolboys under a streetlamp, Tottenham Hotspur has become one of the world's biggest football institutions. Its GBP1bn stadium, a worthy successor to White Hart Lane, the world-famous home of the Spurs, sits among the tower blocks. The same Lane that played host to glory, glory nights, graced by legends from Danny Blanchflower to Harry Kane, had been transformed into a munitions factory in World War One. Those streets that welcomed parades at the height of the club's success in the 1960s would later witness rioting and carnage. A move to east London loomed large and Tottenham might have lost its Spurs altogether. Tottenham Hotspur's 130-year relationship with its home has been complex, changing, but always proud.

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Manchester 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.

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Black and White Knight: How Sir Bobby Robson Made Newcastle United Again is a story of rebirth and redemption. Fractured, disillusioned and second bottom in the Premier League, the Magpies were heading one way under Ruud Gullit: down. The magic of Kevin Keegan's 'Entertainers' era was a distant memory, but in September 1999, Sir Bobby Robson, a son of County Durham, returned home and became a catalyst for change. Talisman Alan Shearer was smiling and scoring, and everyone was dreaming again. Three years later, Newcastle qualified for the Champions League, where they went toe-to-toe with the likes of Inter Milan, Barcelona and Juventus, making history on an amazing journey and playing a brand of football full of energy, verve and attacking intent. A genius in man-management, Sir Bobby's experience and aura gave the club its soul back; Black and White Knight details how he mended divisions and massaged egos to make Newcastle everyone's second favourite team once again.

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1982 tells the story of football's most exhilarating and entertaining World Cup side. This scintillating Brazil team - blessed with Zico, Socrates, Falcao, Eder and Junior - lit up the 1982 World Cup with a brand of football that was 'futebol arte'. Playing to the accompaniment of a samba soundtrack from their supporters in the stands, the side scored 15 goals in five games and enchanted the world, but their dream fell apart in the Sarria Stadium against Italy. Even so, it was a match considered one of the greatest World Cup fixtures of all time and it changed the way the game was played forever.The Brazilian 1982 World Cup side have become a cast of mythical characters. Despite failing to reach the semi-finals, they made the football world hold its breath every time they stepped on the pitch. Told through the eyes of a young boy who fell in love with the men in yellow, and the memories of those who were there to witness Brazil's most glorious failure, 1982 is the definitive account of the greatest team never to win a World Cup.

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Today, La Boca teems with tourists, drawn like moths to a flame for the sizzling steaks, street theatre and brightly painted pastel-coloured homes. On matchday the noise from the barrio's most famous landmark, the unique La Bombonera stadium - home of Boca Juniors - reverberates around the working-class neighbourhood. The cathedral of world football has provided the canvas for some of the sport's greatest artists to create their masterpieces. Diego Maradona, arguably the greatest-ever exponent of the beautiful game, Juan Roman Riquelme, the last number ten, and Carlos Tevez are just three of the legends to wear the iconic shirt. Blue & Gold Passion chronicles the history of the famous Buenos Aires institution, from its foundation by five Italian immigrants in 1905 to the 2018 Copa Libertadores clash with arch-rivals River Plate, which made worldwide headlines. All the glory, the idols, the trophies, the highs and lows are covered in this first comprehensive English-language celebration of one of the world's greatest football clubs.

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Waiting is the story of a rookie photojournalist immersed in Formula One's golden age of the 70s and 80s. Aged just 19, Richard Kelley saw the need to faithfully document the sport's lethal dangers, iconic personalities and technological developments in a period of seismic change, which caused F1's unique character to disappear forever. After only nine months of photographic education, Kelley began using his remarkable talent to observe and capture F1 drivers' decisive moments. He sought his images as a `fly on the wall', consciously disappearing among this `band of brothers' to allow the emotion and power of the moment to blend, developing a cinematic style that grows more contemporary every year. Waiting is a powerful and unique documentary of the world of F1 from 1972 through to 1984. From Gilles Villeneuve's first moments with Ferrari to Francois Cevert's final morning and Niki Lauda's resurrection, Kelley's omnipresent lens and enlightening memoir capture an intimacy and humanity that Grand Prix history will never again witness.

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Thomas Gravesen was one of the last footballing mavericks, once dubbed 'a grenade with the pin pulled out'. Hailing from rural Denmark, he fulfilled his childhood dream of becoming a top player but never lost his unique identity, earning a reputation for his bizarre antics and eyebrow-raising behaviour. Gravesen lined up for Real Madrid's glamorous Galacticos and enjoyed colourful spells at European giants Hamburg, Everton and Celtic. Remembered as a cult hero at all of his past clubs, he is a truly fascinating individual. After abruptly ending his career and disappearing, he re-emerged years later in bizarre circumstances in Las Vegas. Did he really lose $54 million at cards? Did he really bring dynamite to training, and spend his summers in a dark basement? Known as a 'unicorn' due to his mysterious life, this is a fascinating, helter-skelter journey into the mind of 'Mad Dog'. Team-mates, coaches and friends recount what it was like to be swept up in the surreal whirlwind of the most unorthodox individual they've ever encountered.

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Red Odyssey: Liverpool FC 1892-2017, is a uniquely affectionate and often deeply moving history of one of the greatest sporting institutions on the planet. Born in the fire of boardroom conflict and launched into the humble surroundings of the Lancashire League, Liverpool Football Club not only endured but rose to conquer all of Europe, leaving its local rivals trailing in its wake. This journey through the ages represents a thrilling sporting odyssey, packed with heroes and foes, victors and villains. It features tales of conquest and heroic homecomings as well as soul-crushing defeats. Its people have endured great tragedy and fought for both redemption and vindication. Modern-day Liverpool supporters, standing on the shoulders of their forebears, are tough, gritty, irreverent and united. These qualities have sustained them for 125 years, and they run through the book like a golden thread. Red Odyssey is 125 individual love letters to Liverpool FC and its people, written with a Scouse accent.

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