Search results for ""Pitch Publishing Ltd""
Pitch Publishing Ltd The Claret and Blue Book of West Ham United: Hammers History, Trivia, Facts and Stats
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.
£7.39
Pitch Publishing Ltd Winner Stays On: England with the FA Cup for a Compass
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.
£13.91
Pitch Publishing Ltd Data Game
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
£13.91
Pitch Publishing Ltd Almost Invincible
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
£16.64
Pitch Publishing Ltd Double Acts: A Modern History of Tottenham Hotspur in Ten-and-a-Half Partnerships
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.
£10.48
Pitch Publishing Ltd Bring Me That Horizon: A Journey to the Soul of Portuguese Football
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.
£13.91
Pitch Publishing Ltd Newcastle United Match of My Life: Magpies Stars Relive their Greatest Games
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.
£17.33
Pitch Publishing Ltd A People's History of Tottenham Hotspur Football Club: How Spurs Fans Shaped the Identity of One of the World's Most Famous Clubs
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.
£21.45
Pitch Publishing Ltd An Echo of Glory: Tottenham Hotspur in the 21st Century
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.
£17.16
Pitch Publishing Ltd Pride Before the Fall: How Derby County went from Play-Off Final to Near Extinction
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.
£16.64
Pitch Publishing Ltd Nicky Henderson: My Life in 12 horses
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.
£17.33
Pitch Publishing Ltd Blue was the Colour: A Tale of Tarnished Love
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.
£10.48
Pitch Publishing Ltd Yorkshire Grit: The Life of Ray Illingworth
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.
£20.78
Pitch Publishing Ltd The Social One: Why Jurgen Klopp was a Perfect Fit for Liverpool
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.
£12.54
Pitch Publishing Ltd Crossing the Park: The Men Who Dared to Play for Both Liverpool and Everton
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.
£16.64
Pitch Publishing Ltd The Roger Federer Effect: Rivals, Friends, Fans and How the Maestro Changed Their Lives
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.
£14.31
Pitch Publishing Ltd Anatomy of a Genius: Leo Messi's tactical evolution at FC Barcelona
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.
£12.54
Pitch Publishing Ltd Glory and Despair: The World Cup, 1930-2018
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.
£22.36
Pitch Publishing Ltd Le Loop: How to Cycle the Tour de France
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.
£12.54
Pitch Publishing Ltd Please Don't Take Me Home: A Lovestory with Fulham Football Club
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.
£15.26
Pitch Publishing Ltd Tottenham; from the Lane: The Story of Spurs in N17
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.
£16.64
Pitch Publishing Ltd Manchester United Minute by Minute: Covering More Than 500 Goals, Penalties, Red Cards and Other Intriguing Facts
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.
£15.26
Pitch Publishing Ltd Black and White Knight: How Sir Bobby Robson Made Newcastle United Again
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.
£11.16
Pitch Publishing Ltd Brazil 82: The Day Football Died
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.
£15.26
Pitch Publishing Ltd Blue & Gold Passion: A History of Boca Juniors
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.
£15.26
Pitch Publishing Ltd Waiting
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.
£25.80
Pitch Publishing Ltd Mad Dog Gravesen: The Last of the Modern Footballing Mavericks
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.
£17.33
Pitch Publishing Ltd Red Odyssey: Liverpool FC 1892-2017
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.
£16.64
Pitch Publishing Ltd Tony Greig: A Reappraisal of English Cricket's Most Controversial Captain
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.
£12.54
Pitch Publishing Ltd Gentleman and Player: The Story of Colin Cowdrey, Cricket's Most Elegant and Charming Batsman
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."
£16.64
Pitch Publishing Ltd Whose Game Is It Anyway?: Football, Life, Love & Loss
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.
£17.33
Pitch Publishing Ltd When You're Smiling: Life, Love, Leicester City and Football's Greatest Fairytale
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.
£15.26
Pitch Publishing Ltd Edinburgh On This Day: History, Facts & Figures from Every Day of the Year
Edinburgh On This Day revisits all the most magical and memorable moments from the city's fascinating history, mixing in a maelstrom of quirky anecdotes and legendary characters to produce an irresistibly dippable Edinburgh diary - with an entry for every day of the year. From the important decisions that have moulded the city's very appearance to the 'white elephants' that promised much but faded into obscurity; from famous events and sporting triumphs to near-farcical court cases - here are the people, crimes, pollution, crises, murders, battles, strikes, pubs, tragedies, scandals, newspapers, bands, footballers, politicians and royals that have shaped this incredible city's history. Edinburgh is a city of culture, music and innovation, a city of sport and new beginnings, a city of education and spirituality. Read Edinburgh On This Day, and you'll discover hundreds of things you never knew you needed to know about Scotland's historical, mysterious and inspirational capital.
£10.48
Pitch Publishing Ltd Record Breakers: The Tactics Behind Liverpool and Manchester City's Title Triumphs and Record Points Totals
Record Breakers: The Tactics Behind Liverpool and Manchester City's Title Triumphs and Record Points Totals lifts the lid on Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola's tactical systems and strategies. Written by a Premier League analyst, the book focuses on the seasons when these two footballing giants registered the highest points totals in Premier League history. It compares their styles and principles of play both with and without the ball, analyses the differences in the positioning of their players and outlines their specific movement patterns, all in the context of how opposition teams attempted to defend against them. Learn how Leroy Sane and Raheem Sterling were used very differently from Mo Salah and Sadio Mane, how City's system got the best out of Kevin De Bruyne, and how Trent Alexander-Arnold became a unique playmaker from full-back. From 'inverted full-backs' to 'false 9s' via 'free 8s', discover how City and Liverpool's tactics reflect modern football's evolution.
£15.74
Pitch Publishing Ltd The Death of Rugby: Neil Back's Story
Fourteen years since his autobiography, Size Doesn't Matter, English rugby's most decorated flanker, Neil Back, returns with a tale of triumphs, heartaches and broken promises. From his anti-hero role as 'The Hand of Back' in Leicester Tigers' European Cup triumph over Munster, to Grand Slam glory and the 2003 World Cup with England, Neil is never far from the story. The Death of Rugby dissects the Lions' disastrous 2005 tour of New Zealand, the ousting of his mentor Dean Richards from Leicester Tigers, and Neil's three years in charge of Leeds, before being recruited by The Rugby Football Club, and why Neil and his colleagues had to walk away, despite an unbeaten season, and league and cup double. Neil deals with the adjustment from professional sportsman into family and regular working life, despite a critical illness in 2013, which has shaped his perspective on life.
£16.64
Pitch Publishing Ltd The Football Fans Quizbook: The Ultimate Football Quizbook
The Football Fans Quizbook is the ultimate test of all-round football knowledge. With over 1000 questions covering domestic, international, Continental, and world competition, some questions are straightforward, some are hard and others cunningly cryptic. Ideal for family, friends, or fellow fans on that tension-filled journey to a crucial away game, The Football Fans Quizbook will always give fans' brains a taxing workout!
£6.34
Pitch Publishing Ltd A Tournament Frozen in Time: The Wonderful Randomness of the European Cup Winners Cup
The Wonderful Randomness of the European Cup Winners' Cup is a homage to the awkward sibling of the European Champions' Cup and the UEFA Cup. All three major European club competitions had very distinct personalities, almost like three markedly different children. While the European Champions' Cup was for the high achievers and the UEFA Cup was where the cool kids often hung out, the Cup Winners' Cup threw its own uniquely eccentric shapes. The random nature of domestic cup success was what gained entry to the tournament and this brought a richer diversity of competitor than its more celebrated counterparts. A trophy which eluded the clutches of European royalty such as Real Madrid, Liverpool and Inter Milan, it remains the only European honour of both Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City, despite their contemporary financial advantages. The tournament which immortalised the likes of Magdeburg and Dinamo Tbilisi, it gave English football its first ever European glory. This is the story of the European Cup Winners' Cup.
£15.74
Pitch Publishing Ltd Sweeper Keeper
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
£21.46
Pitch Publishing Ltd Glory; Glory Lane: The Extraordinary History of Tottenham Hotspur's Home for 118 Years
Glory, Glory Lane is the life-affirming history - including a momentous last season - of a world-famous football stadium, home to Tottenham Hotspur for 118 years. A Victorian structure turned wraparound 21st-century all-seater, it became a theatre of dreams for supporters all attracted by teams which played the 'Spurs way' to achieve glory. The Lane gave a stage to a conveyor belt of legends from Cameron to Alli via Nicholson, Blanchflower, Greaves, Hoddle and Klinsmann. It provided unforgettable memories in unforgettable atmospheres - heart-lifting, heart-breaking, nerve-racking. Its story veers from founders obsessed by Harry Hotspur to Harry Kane via Harry Redknapp; through matches, personalities, ground developments and threatened closure, all with first-hand accounts. It's hard to imagine how a new GBP750m stadium can ever replace the edifice which shut its gates for the last time after Spurs played Manchester United in May 2017, having created a daunting legacy.
£23.05