Search results for ""Pitch Publishing""

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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Tony Greig is remembered as the colourful captain who led cricket into its biggest crisis of the last century. An all-rounder who mixed boldness with belligerence, he was the first South African to skipper England, restoring national pride with victory in India after poundings at the hands of Australia and the West Indies. A controversial and charismatic competitor whose "make them grovel" comment about the West Indies signalled trouble, he later lost the captaincy for recruiting players for Kerry Packer's World Series Cricket. More than three decades later, now a leading television commentator, Greig has never been fully absolved. Featuring many new interviews, including with Greig himself, the book asks whether cricket history judges the accomplished all-rounder fairly, or is coloured by off-field controversies. Tony Greig offers a compelling portrait of a fascinating cricketing era - and was shortlisted for Best Cricket Book at the 2012 British Sports Book Awards.

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Colin Cowdrey is remembered for the elegance of his strokeplay; but there was more to this complex man than a classical cover drive. Successes were numerous: 114 Test matches, 22 Test hundreds, 100 first-class centuries, countless famous victories and unforgettable innings. There was controversy and disappointment too, chief among them being repeated snubs for the England captaincy and the D'Oliveira Affair. Cowdrey was involved in three of England's most memorable Tests: Lord's in 1963 against the West Indies, batting at 11 with his arm in plaster, two balls left and all four results possible; Trinidad in 1968 in which England secured a famous victory against the West Indies; and The Oval in 1968 when England gained an improbable final-over win against Australia. In later life, he shone as an administrative leader - as president of Kent and of the MCC, and as chairman of the ICC - and was made a Lord. Sir Garry Sobers spoke for many when he said at his memorial service, "Colin Cowdrey was a great man."

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Football has never seemed so distant from its fans. Many have been alienated by the greed and shameless self-interest of the Premier League, and no one can predict how the global game will look post-pandemic. In Whose Game Is It Anyway?, Sunday Times best-selling author Michael Calvin searches for a reason to believe. Written at the height of the Covid-19 crisis, the book is a thought-provoking, deeply personal account of the role sport - and particularly football - plays in everyday life. Part memoir, part manifesto, it takes the reader on a tour of the world's greatest sporting occasions and into its outposts in sub-Saharan Africa, the Amazon Basin and the Southern Ocean. Drawn from Calvin's experience as an award-winning sportswriter, covering every major sports event over 40 years in more than 80 countries, it offers first-hand insight into such icons as Muhammad Ali, Maradona and Sir Bobby Charlton. With settings ranging from a jungle clearing to a township in apartheid South Africa, this is sport as you've never seen it before.

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When You're Smiling is the story of a football team's journey from also-rans to champions and a football fan's journey from boy to man, through laughter, loss and home defeats. Monday, 2 May 2016 was a day Matt Bozeat thought he would never see. It was the day Leicester City, the team he had supported through thin and thinner all his life, were crowned Premier League champions. The story of the 5,000-1 outsiders winning one of European football's top prizes put a smile on the face of millions worldwide. Three days earlier, Matt had experienced an even greater miracle. When You're Smiling is a nostalgia-filled treat brimming with memories of football and the wider world in the 1980s and 90s. It's a book about belonging and thinking your dreams will never come true - and then they do come true.

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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 Chelsea is an Aladdin's cave of memories and memorabilia, guaranteed to whisk you back to Stamford Bridge's fondly remembered 'Golden Age' of mud and magic - as well as a Blues-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 - Blues stickers and petrol freebies, league ladders, big-match programmes and much more - revisiting lost football culture, treasures and pleasures that are 100 per cent Chelsea. If you were a Junior Blue, one of the army of obsessive soccer kids at any time from the arrival of Dave Sexton on the Kings Road to the early days of the Premier League, then this is the book to recall the mavericks - Osgood, Hudson and Dixon, Nevin, Walker and Harris - and the marvels of the lost world of football.

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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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