Search results for ""Pitch Publishing Ltd""
Pitch Publishing Ltd Jurgen Said to Me
Jurgen Said to Me is a human-interest story centred around Liverpool FC''s most successful and charismatic leader of recent times. It charts Jurgen Klopp''s impact on Liverpool through the voice of the author and those at the heart of his revival.In October 2015, Klopp took the helm at Liverpool at a time when the famous club were entering a third decade of league-title drought. The German coach had prospered with his brand of ''heavy-metal football'', but little was known about his personality beyond an obvious energy and charisma. He entered a city steeped in personality, history and trauma - a place where the people demand more than a mere coach to lead their clubs.Klopp''s social influence has stretched to matters such as diversity, the economy, the COVID-19 pandemic and local history. The book explores the human impact of a man who single-handedly harnessed togetherness and the global unity of millions, while reshaping one of the most fam
£14.99
Pitch Publishing Ltd One Shilling: The Football Programme Design Revolution of 1965-85
One Shilling: The Football Programme Design Revolution of 1965-85 is the first-ever exploration of this golden era of football programme design, when the humble football programme suddenly boasted a remarkable variety of eye-catching covers and layouts. The football programme has been a staple of the national game since Victorian times. Passionate artists and typesetters designed printed programmes for match goers, but unlike the fashion or music industries, the names behind the artworks for these pocket-money priced matchday publications were often uncredited or ignored. Until now. At its heart, this is the story of John Elvin, the greatest football programme designer, who tore up the formal code of lay-outs and traditional typefaces, and used photos in new and innovative ways. The book also explores the wider cultural and political backstory of British football over a transformative two decades from England’s World Cup victory in 1966, and looking forward, it champions the potential of a new era for programme design.
£22.50
Pitch Publishing Ltd Is Gascoigne Going to Have a Crack
Is Gascoigne Going to Have a Crack? tells the story of Spurs in the 1990s, expertly guiding you through this exciting but chaotic time.The 1990s are often seen as an era of misery for Tottenham Hotspur. They were undoubtedly that; at the moment that English football became commercially driven and outwardly focused the club fell in relevance from being one of the unofficial ''Big Five'' in the 80s to mid-table also-rans by the start of the 2000s.However, this is not a fair reflection of the fortunes of the club during the decade. The Gascoigne-inspired run to the 1991 FA Cup victory, the Gallic flair of David Ginola and the incredible excitement generated by the signing of Jurgen Klinsmann produced moments of unbridled joy and excitement.From Sheringham to Sugar and Venables to Vega, this book journeys through a fascinating decade with a season-by-season account that incorporates the views of players and supporters who lived through a decade that co
£17.09
Pitch Publishing Ltd Getting Out
Getting Outis the story of how Ukraine''s cricketers helped the people around them to escape from Russia''s invasion in 2022, including first-hand accounts of the war.?Cricket in Ukraine had a surprising and eccentric history. But when the bombings started, these cricketers found themselves in a fight for their lives as they rushed to the front lines to defend their country.Meanwhile, some Ukrainian refugees had an altogether different battle as they began to play cricket in a park in southern Europe, and fought to keep their country's cricketing heritage alive.As well as eyewitness accounts of the first days of the war, the book holds many light-hearted stories from the team where no one wanted to bat or bowl, to the biofuel developer who became Ukraine''s first professional cricketer.It's a story of courage, determination and hope, both on and off the field.
£16.99
Pitch Publishing Ltd Blue and Amber Voices
Blue and Amber Voices: Stories from Leeds Rugby Leagueprovides a collection of first-hand accounts of some of the greatest players to ever pull on the famous blue and amber kit of Leeds rugby league club.Spanning multiple generations and eras, the book charts the ups and downs of one of rugby league''s great clubs. Relive the glory days of the 1960s and 70s with Alan Smith, the big-spending 80s with Gary Schofield, the promise of the 90s with Francis Cummins, the domination of the 2000s with Jamie Peacock and consider the future of the game with Caitlin Beevers.With a plethora of candid and revealing interviews from some of the most explosive and entertaining players of the last 50 years from both the UK and down under, Blue and Amber Voices offers an array of stories and insight rarely seen previously. Packed with anecdotes, triumph and tragedy, the book lifts the lid on what it takes to step on to the famous Headingley pitch for one of the world'
£17.09
Pitch Publishing Ltd Chasing Immortality: Manchester City's Ultimate Season
Chasing Immortality is the story of Manchester City's epic 2022/23 season, when for the first time this century an English side completed the ultimate treble.It was a season like no other, carved into two distinct segments by the insertion of the Qatar World Cup. And for City, also punctuated by the minor distraction of 115 charges from the Premier League relating to alleged financial irregularities.It's the story of a group of elite players of whom the two with the most to prove did so emphatically, one producing the finest debut season ever witnessed in top-flight English football, the other discarding the tag of £100m misfit by delivering a raft of outstanding performances - and celebrating accordingly. It's about a manager who every season strengthens his claim to be the most influential of all time, whose tactical innovation continues to astound. Ultimately, it's the story of a season to be cherished and remembered forever.
£14.99
Pitch Publishing Ltd Erling Haaland: Manchester City's Striking Viking
The rip-roaring story of Manchester City's red-hot goalscoring hero Erling Haaland.Unlike his seafaring forefathers, Haaland arrived in England peacefully in 2022. But the result was the same with the Viking running riot before heading to European shores to rampage through even the most stubborn defences.Haaland helped sweep Manchester City to a record-equalling treble of Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup glory. The Striking Viking smashed home a record-breaking 36 Premier League goals and continued his incredible Champions League record to make it 35 in 29 games.This book is packed with exclusive unpublished material, including the story behind his transfer to England. It features the words of the great man himself, team-mates, opponents and Pep Guardiola. It explores his early career in Norway, and his later successes in Salzburg and Dortmund, before bringing us up to date with his Man City and international heroics.Want to know Haaland the player and the man? This is the book for you.
£14.99
Pitch Publishing Ltd Cricket's Fifty Most Important Moments
Cricket’s Fifty Most Important Moments charts the sport’s long, colourful and sometimes controversial history, delving into its most significant moments on and off the cricket field.Tracing the sport’s development from its early days in the 18th century through to the modern era, the book journeys through more than 275 years of intriguing events. It explores how players, teams and other remarkable individuals have shaped the game. It also assesses the famous matches, tactical changes, new laws and other innovations that have punctuated cricket from its infancy to the present day.From the early teams based in sleepy English villages through to international cricket and the modern franchise game played for a global television audience; from the start of first-class cricket and the birth of the Ashes and Test cricket to World Cups and the phenomenon of T20 cricket, this book showcases the key moments, matches and controversies that have come to define the sport.
£16.99
Pitch Publishing Ltd The Great Adventure: Al-Fayed’s Rollercoaster Ride with Fulham FC
The Great Adventure: Al-Fayed’s Rollercoaster Ride with Fulham FC is the fascinating tale of Mohamed Al-Fayed’s remarkable 16-year reign as the owner of Fulham. The flamboyant Harrods owner bought the famous old London club in a £6.25 million deal in the summer of 1997, just after Fulham had been promoted from the Football League’s lowest rung. He promised to make the club a Premier League side within five years. He did it in four – and then took Fulham into the unexplored territory of European football. Along the way there were ten managers, two promotions, numerous club record signings, rows with the FA, the Football League, the Premier League, the government – and his managers. There were plans to buy the Twin Towers of Wembley and there was the statue of Michael Jackson unveiled at Craven Cottage. Author Tony Banks talks to the players, managers and staff who were there during the most remarkable period in the club’s history and uncovers their astonishing behind-the-scenes stories.
£17.09
Pitch Publishing Ltd Thai Football Tales: A Beautiful Madness
Matt Riley takes us on a fascinating and bizarre behind-the-scenes journey into the weird and wonderful world of Thai football. Working as an English Media Officer in Thailand, Riley was given unique access, seldom granted to foreigners, to the country's most powerful clubs. Thai Football Tales: Beautiful Madness is a report on his time inside the Thai football bubble. From spending the afternoon with Bryan Robson in the Manchester United team hotel, to persuading a player stopping off in Bangkok on the way to sign for an A League club to abandon his journey and play in Thailand, no two days were ever the same. At a meeting in the northern city of Chiang Mai when helping a friend secure a coaching contract, the chairman Matt was negotiating with jumped into a cage to wrestle a tiger. And after interviewing the ‘King of Buriram’, Riley found his every move was being watched – and filmed! Thai Football Tales is a jaw-dropping first-hand account of a Westerner's experiences in a unique and colourful footballing culture.
£12.99
Pitch Publishing Ltd Brave Enough Not to Quit: How I Realised My Football Dream
Brave Enough Not to Quit is the extraordinary and moving story of Millie Farrow, a footballer who has battled major injuries and mental-health problems in pursuit of her career. Millie dreamt of being a footballer from a young age and signed her first professional contract at 19. She has played for top clubs in England and America, but the road to realising her girlhood dream has not been a smooth one. Four major injuries in her teens and early 20s threatened to derail her career, alongside her battles with obsessive-compulsive disorder and anxiety. But Millie was brave enough not to quit. She remains determined to succeed and wants to use her experiences to help others overcome their own setbacks. In Brave Enough Not to Quit, Millie speaks from the heart about her mental-health issues and injuries, while her friends, England stars Fran Kirby and Emile Heskey, share their experiences in highly personal interviews with Millie. This is an inspirational story of fighting back from rock bottom and finding strength in adversity.
£17.99
Pitch Publishing Ltd A Love Letter to Football: From the Terraces to a Transplant and Back Again
A Love Letter to Football is the story of how the beautiful game, from the litter-strewn pitches of the grassroots to packed stadiums at the top of the sport, can help carry us through our darkest days. In 2016, Mark Davies was diagnosed with a rare and incurable blood cancer. A lifelong supporter of Middlesbrough Football Club, his devotion to the club and passion for a game so cherished by billions of people has been essential in helping him navigate the uncertainty of diagnosis and treatment. It’s been a fundamental part of his life in other ways too, from dealing with depression to fatherhood, not to mention some of the trials and tribulations of life’s broader challenges.This honest, funny and entertaining account of a life-changing experience, love for a football club and the way the game has been a bedrock throughout his life underlines that football may not be more important than life and death, but the joy and ecstasy it can bring – even for a Middlesbrough fan – really can help when times are hard.
£12.99
Pitch Publishing Ltd When Dave Went Up: The Inside Story of Wimbledon's 1988 FA Cup Win
When Dave Went Up is the fairy-tale story of Wimbledon's famous 1988 FA Cup win over Liverpool, and how a small team overcame the giants of English football. More than just a recollection of the final itself, the book takes us through the tournament round by round, from the third round to the semi-final, and everything in between. We all know that Lawrie Sanchez got the winning goal, but did you know he was in the wrong place for the free kick? The story shows what great team spirit and sheer hard work can achieve. With tales from the key players in the side, the staff, the fans, plus some of the opposition, this is the definitive account of how Wimbledon FC won the FA Cup. Along the way you'll discover how the Dons fell in love with the competition, with background info on their run in the 1974/75 season, when Dickie Guy become a household name overnight after saving a penalty against Leeds United. If you don't know about the Dons' connection with the famous old cup, you certainly will after reading this fascinating book.
£17.99
Pitch Publishing Ltd Golden Generations: The Story of the 2006 FIFA Men’s World Cup
Golden Generations: The Story of the 2006 FIFA Men's World Cup tells the tale of one of the most action-packed international tournaments in recent memory. From Philipp Lahm's extraordinary goal just six minutes in, to Zinedine Zidane's infamous headbutt, it was a World Cup that had it all. With all six confederations represented for the first time since 1982, there was a truly global feel to this World Cup. There were subplots attached to almost every nation at the tournament. Germany were in the midst of a rebuild, the Italians had the cloud of Calciopoli hanging over them and France and England were nearing the end of an era with their talented squads. Even the debutant nations were filled with household names, from the Touré brothers and Didier Drogba with the Ivory Coast to Dwight Yorke dropping into midfield to captain Trinidad and Tobago. Golden Generations explores the plots and subplots that defined the 2006 World Cup, from the tournament's beginnings to the legacy it left behind.
£22.50
Pitch Publishing Ltd Henry Armstrong: Boxing's Super Champ
Henry Armstrong: Boxing's Super Champ is the story of arguably the most incredible fighter in the history of boxing - told by one of the few surviving writers to have been around during Armstrong's unique world championship reign. When Henry had his arm raised on 17 August 1938, after winning a blood-spattered 15-round decision over Lou Ambers, he became the first boxer to simultaneously hold world titles at three different weights - and somehow he managed the feat in an era of just eight weight classes, with no 'junior' or 'super' divisions. He had entered Madison Square Garden as the reigning world feather and welterweight champion, and left with the world lightweight belt strapped around his waist. Now in his 90s, veteran boxing journalist and author John Jarrett looks back on the life and career of this ring hero of his youth: a 5ft 51/2in buzzsaw they nicknamed 'Homicide Hank'. In the 85 years that have passed since then, nobody has matched Armstrong's amazing triple-championship feat. It's likely no one ever will.
£22.50
Pitch Publishing Ltd Lionesses: Gamechangers
England's emphatic victory at the 2022 women's Euros has been called a watershed moment both for the team and for women's football. But can this talented side prove their mettle on the biggest stage of all and achieve World Cup glory in 2023? Tactical writer Abdullah Abdullah once again lifts the lid on a women's footballing institution, this time through an international lens - deconstructing match tactics, analysing player performances and assessing the key improvements made in Sarina Wiegman's time in charge. Abdullah explores the standout tactical profiles from the current generation, including Fran Kirby and Lucy Bronze as well as the future crop, like Leah Williamson and wunderkind Lauren Hemp. This book dives into the specifics of how this iteration of the Lionesses can perform at the 2023 Women's World Cup. Will this be the moment they shed their status as perennial challengers and prove they are the best team in the world?
£12.99
Pitch Publishing Ltd The Natural: The Story of Patsy Houlihan, the Greatest Snooker Player You Never Saw
The Natural: The Story of Patsy Houlihan, the Greatest Snooker Player You Never Saw is the compelling story of a man who potted balls fast and potted them hard. South Londoner Patsy Houlihan was one of the top amateurs of the 1950s and 60s as well as the greatest hustler of all time. He should have been a major player on the world stage, but the professional game was a closed shop and the likes of Patsy weren't welcome. However, in the smoke-filled snooker halls of the backstreets of working-class Britain, populated by tough men seeking to make a quick buck from the game they loved, Patsy was a folk hero and an inspiration to a generation of players, including his close friend Jimmy White. This is the story of the greatest snooker player who never reached the big time, but whose exploits, adventures and skills guaranteed him immortality in the minds and imaginations of those lucky enough to have seen him play. The Natural brings to life the story of a forgotten snooker pioneer and master entertainer.
£17.99
Pitch Publishing Ltd The Legend of the Formula Ford Festival: Fifty Years of Motor Racing Action
For more than 50 years the Formula Ford Festival has been the proving ground for ambitious racing drivers looking to make their mark. The Brands Hatch meeting was where the likes of Johnny Herbert, Damon Hill and Jenson Button first made their names, while both Michael Schumacher and Nigel Mansell never made it out of their heats. Now a club meeting, in its heyday the Festival was one of the UK's biggest motor sport events, drawing tens of thousands of spectators, and enjoying more than a decade of prime coverage on the BBC's Grandstand. From humble beginnings at a cold Snetterton, the move to Brands Hatch, the peak of the 1980s followed by a gentle decline, this book tells the story of the Festival. Drawing on exclusive contributions from some of the event's legends and prestigious alumni, it covers all the on-track action together with off-track intrigue and controversies.
£22.50
Pitch Publishing Ltd The Working Hands of a Goddess: The Tactics, Culture and Community Behind Gian Piero Gasperini's Atalanta BC
The Working Hands of a Goddess is the story of how Atalanta BC rose from the lower reaches of Serie A to become Champions League quarter-finalists in just four years. The appointment of Gian Piero Gasperini as manager in 2016 changed the club's fortunes forever. Quickly making his mark, he developed a squad that play one of Europe's most scintillating brands of football, and upset the status quo by going toe-to-toe with the giants of the Italian game. The Working Hands of a Goddess analyses and details the tactics and systems that underpin this thrilling team, the stories and backgrounds of the unique players that define it, and the culture and history that not only produced a beautiful football team but a special club and city-wide community. When the pandemic rocked the community, Atalanta became far more than just a football team by uniting a city in strife.
£12.99
Pitch Publishing Ltd The Games That Made Us: Thirty Years of West Ham United
1992 to 2022 was a period like no other for West Ham United. Taking in the rise of the Premier League, promotion, relegation, European nights and so much more, Daniel Hurley looks at key moments in West Ham's recent history from a fan's perspective, remembering joy and despair in equal measure along his journey as a football supporter from child to adult. The Games That Made Us is the story of an unforgettable period in West Ham's history told through the club's 50 most important matches over the past 30 years, with each game put into context and the consequences examined. From Dicks to Di Canio, Harewood to Antonio, Redknapp to Allardyce, The Games That Made Us tells tales of last-minute winners and last-second heartbreak, of trips to Cardiff, 5-4 victories and 4-2 defeats, plus more matches against Wimbledon than you would expect. Find out how a former manager once gave Daniel a transfer exclusive, why his son's first game was possibly the worst debut in history and why John Hartson ruined his 14th birthday.
£17.09
Pitch Publishing Ltd Marcelo Bielsa: The Foundation of Success at Leeds United
As Marcelo Bielsa's interpreter, Salim Lamrani was his right-hand man throughout his first season in charge of Leeds United. As a privileged witness to that remarkable 2018/19 campaign, Lamrani tells the inside story of how the club came within a hair's breadth of returning to the Premier League before winning promotion in the very next season to end a 16-year exile. Lamrani lays bare the secrets behind Bielsa's methods, starting with the demands he makes in an intense pre-season, through to the Argentinian tactician's unwavering loyalty to a highly effective style of play - a style based on possession, collective coverage, rapid transitions, changes of tempo and constant attack. For him, beauty is non-negotiable. Thanks to Bielsa, the players of Leeds United were the actors in an unforgettable epic, which made an indelible mark on millions of supporters. Taking us match by match through Bielsa's first year in English football, Lamrani weaves a fascinating narrative and paints an intimate portrait of a unique football genius.
£16.99
Pitch Publishing Ltd Soul and Glory: English Football, 1950-1989
Soul and Glory takes you on a journey through football history, spanning four unforgettable and unique decades from 1950 to 1989. Using beautiful images, it's a celebration of the game, from the life and soul of the packed-out terraces to the glory and despair on the pitch. The book showcases the diversity and individuality of football going back to an era when things looked very different than now, for better or worse. Whether it's muddy pitches, players celebrating with fans, larger-than-life characters or stadiums packed out an hour before kick-off, Soul and Glory will take you on a nostalgia-filled trip down memory lane. Legends such as George Best, Jimmy Greaves, Bobby Charlton, Bobby Moore, Paul Gascoigne and Stanley Matthews all feature, as well as a wide selection of teams and stadia. This stunning pictorial celebration of English football is sure to leave you reminiscing about the uniqueness and flamboyance of the nation's football heritage.
£18.00
Pitch Publishing Ltd Scotland's Lost Clubs: Giving the Names You've Heard, the Story They Own
Scotland's Lost Clubs: Giving the Names You've Heard the Story They Own is the gripping, constantly surprising, intrinsically romantic and all too commonly tragic story of some of Scotland's lost football clubs. You'll be taken on a journey across Scotland, from the Highlands to the English border, with tales of some of the most important names in world football and their impact on the modern game. Learn about the picturesque Victorian seaside town that had no fewer than five clubs, and the team that rescued a league rival who was shipwrecked only to sadly disappear the year Celtic won the European Cup. Discover how a mining village of less than 3,000 inhabitants became world champions but folded 36 years later. Football at its most raw and disorganised was a breeding ground for amazing stories, and Scotland's Lost Clubs captures some of the very best of them. It's essential reading for any Scottish football fan.
£16.99
Pitch Publishing Ltd Fierce Genius: Cruyff's Year at Feyenoord
In 1983, aged 36, Johan Cruyff, one of the world's most iconic football superstars, guided Ajax to a league and cup double. Out of contract, most people, including the player, expected a valedictory final season and a one-year extension. Inexplicably, Ajax let him go. They grossly underestimated the fierce genius of Johan Cruyff. He signed for bitter rivals Feyenoord, leading them to a league and cup double, silencing his critics and thrilling football fans everywhere. Fierce Genius analyses this incredible season, as he evolves from player to coach. It is a fascinating insight into his professional and private life. Imperious on the park, off it, he dealt with kidnappings and bankruptcy after being defrauded by a conman. Bollen gets inside Cruyff's mind, helping the reader understand the mentality which made him a top player and successful coach. Fierce Genius: Cruyff's Year at Feyenoord is compelling, insightful and poignant. Written with a journalistic tone, by an accomplished comedy writer, this is a warm, affectionate and informative portrait of one of world football's greats.
£17.99
Pitch Publishing Ltd Arsenal FC Minute by Minute: The Gunners' Most Historic Moments
Arsenal FC Minute by Minute takes you on a fantastic journey through the Gunners' matchday history. Relive all the breathtaking goals, heroic penalty saves, sending offs and other memorable moments in this unique by-the-clock guide. From Arsenal's early beginnings to the days of domestic dominance, the book covers everything from the great Herbert Chapman era to the Tom Whittaker glory years, Bertie Mee's exciting side of the late 1960s and early 1970s, George Graham's Gunners teams and Arsene Wenger's 'Invincibles'. Revisit Arsenal's most spectacular modern feats and learn things you didn't know about the club's glorious past. From goals scored in the opening seconds to those last-gasp extra-time winners that have thrilled generations of fans at Highbury, The Emirates and around the world, Arsenal FC Minute by Minute is packed with memorable moments. With goals from Thierry Henry, Ian Wright, Cliff Bastin, Charlie George and hundreds of others - the book is filled with thrilling memories from kick-off through to the final whistle.
£16.99
Pitch Publishing Ltd Redemption: From Iron Bars to Ironman
Redemption: From Iron Bars to Ironman is the fascinating, frightening and inspirational autobiography of former career criminal, now world-record holder and endurance athlete John McAvoy. Born into a notorious London crime family, his uncle Micky was one of the key players in the legendary Brinks-Mat gold bullion caper. John bought his first gun at 16 and carved out a lucrative career in armed robbery. At one point he was one of Britain's most-wanted men. It took two spells in prison and the death of a friend on a botched heist to change his path. During his second stint in jail he discovered a miraculous natural talent while serving life in the Belmarsh high security unit - where fellow inmates included Abu Hamza, the hook-handed extremist cleric, and the 7/7 bombers. John broke three world rowing records while still an inmate and since his release has become one of the UK's leading Ironman competitors. Redemption is the ultimate story of sporting salvation.
£12.99
Pitch Publishing Ltd A Corner of Every Foreign Field: Cricket's Journey from English Game to Global Sport
A Corner of Every Foreign Field is an innovative and thought-provoking take on the history of cricket, looking beyond the scorecards to the pivotal issues of class, politics and imperialism that have shaped the game today. It charts how cricket has vied with football for power, commercial muscle and global reach, growing from a simple boys' game in England to a modern worldwide sport. In exploring cricket's evolution, Tim Brooks calls on the views and anecdotes of greats like W. G. Grace, Don Bradman, Viv Richards and Virat Kohli. Along the way, he peers deep into the game's soul and poses questions on behalf of every cricket fan. Is cricket truly global? Why did the game take root in some countries but not in others? What are the threats and opportunities for the sport? Who are the next cricket superpowers? How do you strike a balance between honouring tradition and reforming to capture the imagination of future generations? Written by an expert in the global development of cricket, the book sets out a unique vision for the future.
£12.99
Pitch Publishing Ltd The Next Big Thing: How Football's Wonderkids Lose Their Way
The Next Big Thing tells the stories of 15 footballers who were tipped for the top as youngsters yet were unable to fulfil their potential. With each player exclusively interviewed and insight provided by former team-mates, coaches and expert journalists, Ryan Baldi explores the pitfalls facing young players and what happens when plans go awry. The players featured share much in common, having played for some of the world's biggest clubs - such as Manchester United, Liverpool, Tottenham, Internazionale and Ajax - represented their country at various levels and been tipped for the very top. They all fell desperately short of expectations, but the reasons for their struggles differ greatly. Myriad factors can prevent gifted young footballers from fulfilling their true potential, from catastrophic injuries to issues of addiction and temptation, from managerial misunderstandings to bad advice and bad decisions. The Next Big Thing uncovers what becomes of football's wonderkids when the stars fail to align.
£12.99
Pitch Publishing Ltd Seoul Glow: The Story Behind Britain's 1988 Olympic Hockey Gold
Seoul Glow tells the story of the Great Britain men's hockey team who won gold at the 1988 Seoul Olympics. Little to the team's knowledge, the final caught the British public's imagination as they beat rivals West Germany in the gold-medal match. After Sean Kerly's semi-final heroics and Imran Sherwani's double in the final, BBC commentator Barry Davies uttered the now infamous line: 'Where were the Germans? But, frankly, who cares?' Victory, for a team of amateurs, who had either quit their jobs or taken holiday to play in Seoul, propelled the team to celebratory heights on their return to British shores; it was GB's first hockey gold in the post-war era and followed an eight-year plan for a major title. The story also reveals how the team was inspirationally led by the late Roger Self, the manager who gelled his players into Olympic title holders.
£17.99
Pitch Publishing Ltd Bottled: English Football's Boozy Story
Bottled tells the story of English football's complicated relationship with booze through the experiences of the players who found themselves in crisis when they could no longer put it down - from George Best and Paul Gascoigne to Tony Adams and Paul Merson, as well as many others who escaped the headlines. Footballers play under intense pressure in the unforgiving glare of the media spotlight. But what do their stories tell us about ourselves? Are some challenges they face specific to a player's lifestyle? With insights from those at the sharp end, here is an examination of footballers in need and the help available from the industry. Untangling the complex web of links between alcohol and the beautiful game, Bottled explores the stories that characterised the origins of many of England's clubs, as churches and breweries vied for the souls of young men. From trashed hotel rooms to the rooms of Alcoholics Anonymous via the China Jump club, Bottled navigates the journey from the stars to the gutter and, sometimes, back again.
£12.99
Pitch Publishing Ltd The Power and The Glory: Senna, Prost and F1's Golden Era
Set amid the glamour and bravado of 1980s Formula 1, The Power and the Glory tells the story of a rivalry unsurpassed in motor-racing history. By the mid-80s Alain Prost had firmly established himself as leader of the F1 pack. Winning Grands Prix almost at will, the French ace radiated invincibility. But then came the emergence of Ayrton Senna, sparking a decade-long battle for supremacy out on the track. Although chalk and cheese in terms of character and background, the two men were driven by the same burning desire: to become Formula 1's heavyweight champion of the world, its undisputed king. Senna and Prost would both go on to win multiple world championships in what was a golden era for F1 racing. Their Suzuka showdowns of 1988-90 attracted record worldwide audiences and popularised the sport as never before. An intimate portrait of two unique competitors, The Power and the Glory is a supercharged story of acrimony and sheer ambition.
£17.99
Pitch Publishing Ltd Fifty Years of Manchester City: The Best and Worst of Everything
To celebrate 50 years of watching Manchester City, Steve Mingle presents an array of memories spanning the whole period. The Best and Worst of Everything includes heroes and villains, triumphs and disasters, moments of genius and heinous cock-ups. Here are Steve's most memorable games, players and incidents in a weird and wonderful range of categories. There's much to look back on with affection - the best wins at Old Trafford, the Goat's spawniest finishes, Bell's finest goals, the best wins with ten men - but also plenty of pain, as Steve looks back on the worst goalkeeping howlers, City's jinxes and the biggest villains ever to have darkened the club's doorways. Amongst all this, Steve selects his favourite hard men, pie-eaters and comedy moments as well as providing hard statistical input - who have really been City's penalty kings? Who do we wish we could have played every week? It's a fascinating book packed with memories good and bad, full of debating points for City fans of all ages.
£15.29
Pitch Publishing Ltd True Professional: The Clive Sullivan Story
True Professional tells the story of Clive Sullivan, who emerged from one of Cardiff's toughest neighbourhoods to become an icon of rugby league. Overcoming a major childhood injury and a car crash early in his career, he was a ruthless and thrilling presence on the wings of both Hull FC and Hull KR teams for over 20 years, scoring over 300 tries.The first-ever black Briton to captain a British sports team, Sullivan did so with great success, even lifting a World Cup and being awarded an MBE. He was loved by rugby league fans and revered following his untimely and tragic death. Yet the wider sporting public overlooked his achievements at the time and his name is rarely mentioned when discussing Britain's sporting greats. The book is a snapshot of the working class Northern towns that have long been the heartland of rugby league, and the communities that gave them their unique character. It is also a look at how Clive's career developed against the backdrop of a declining fishing industry, the lifeblood of the city of Hull.
£17.09
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.
£22.50
Pitch Publishing Ltd Arsenal Greatest Games: The Gunners' Fifty Finest Matches
From the thousands of matches ever played by Arsenal, stretching from a muddy field on the Isle of Dogs in the 19th century to the Premier League era and the pristine perfection of the Emirates Stadium, here are 50 of the club's most glorious, epochal and thrilling games of all! Expertly presented in evocative historical context, and described incident-by-incident in atmospheric detail, Arsenal Greatest Games offers a terrace ticket back in time, taking in their first FA Cup win in 1930, 1930s dominance of domestic football under the great Herbert Chapman, through to the great 1971 double-winning side; on to the exploits under George Graham in the late 1980s and early 1990s, and Arsene Wenger's revolution and his all-conquering invincibles of 2004. An irresistible cast list of club legends - Frank McLintock, Charlie George, Thierry Henry, Ian Wright, Dennis Bergkamp - comes to life in these thrilling tales of goalscoring feats, great comebacks, Wembley glory and the odd glorious yet crushing disappointment. In all, a journey through the highlights of the Gunners' history which is guaranteed to make any fan's heart swell with pride.
£16.99
Pitch Publishing Ltd Racing Post Guide to the Jumps 2019-2020
Racing Post Guide to the Jumps includes exclusive, extended trainer interviews, profiles of over 250 horses to run during 2019-20, specialist selections for horses to follow, dark horses unearthed and set to shine and Topspeed and Racing Post Ratings.
£11.69