Search results for ""Pitch Publishing Ltd""
Pitch Publishing Ltd The King Takes Over: Liverpool and the Dalglish Years 1985-1991
The King Takes Over: Liverpool and the Dalglish Years 1985–1991 is a fast-paced and nostalgic account of a time when Liverpool were the best team in the land, and played a brilliant style of football still talked about more than 30 years on. It is the story of how Liverpool’s greatest player became one of its greatest managers. Taking a wistful look back at the glory years of 1985–1991, the book revisits the great games and goals of the Kenny Dalglish era. It examines the circumstances of the Heysel tragedy and how Dalglish became Liverpool’s first player-manager in the darkest period in both the club and the city’s history, amid the chaos wrought by Thatcher’s government. How did the Hillsborough disaster impact Dalglish, the club, players and fans? How did John Barnes, the first black player signed by Liverpool, overcome racism from the terraces to become a legend in red? Why did the Reds not win the championship for 30 years after 1990? What were the real circumstances behind Dalglish’s shock resignation in 1991?
£16.99
Pitch Publishing Ltd When The Sky Was Blue: The Inside Story of Coventry City's Premier League Years
When the Sky Was Blue celebrates Coventry City’s nine-season adventure in the Premier League, from founder members to relegation, through a compelling array of brand-new interviews with managers, players and other key figures from the time. While not the most glamorous club to have played in the division, few can match the Sky Blues for madcap tales. This book tells those stories through the memories of those who were there. Hear how Bobby Gould’s decision to hold pre-season in an army barracks led to near-death experiences and career-ending injury. Savour the glitz and glamour of Ron Atkinson’s whirlwind spell at Highfield Road. Relive Gordon Strachan making Robbie Keane Britain’s most expensive teenager. Oh, and there’s also those heart-stopping relegation battles, FA Cup heartbreak and the time Coventry City became ‘The Entertainers’.
£16.99
Pitch Publishing Ltd Inside Diego: How the Best Footballer in the World Became the Greatest of All Time
Inside Diego is an intimate portrait of the greatest footballer of all time, from the person in football who knew him best. As Diego Maradona's personal trainer, Fernando Signorini spent more than a decade at the superstar's side, witnessing a dizzying array of highs and lows, from helping Diego recuperate from a broken ankle in 1983 to his dramatic exit from the 1994 World Cup after a failed drugs test. Signorini offers a unique perspective on the troubled legend, giving us the lowdown not only on Diego's evolution as an athlete, but on Diego the human being, a far cry from the character we saw on TV screens. He brings us the inside track on Maradona's preparation for three World Cups: Mexico 86, Italia 90 and USA 94. We also get an insider view on his battles with fame, drugs and extramarital paternity, plus his time in charge of the Argentine national team. Brimming with incredible stories and anecdotes, Inside Diego is an intensely personal rollercoaster account of a flawed football genius.
£14.99
Pitch Publishing Ltd Got That Lovin' Feelin': From Clark to Cooper, Nottingham Forest’s Unique Story of Turmoil and Triumph
Got That Lovin’ Feelin’ is the enthralling story of Nottingham Forest’s emotional return to the Premier League under Steve Cooper in 2022. It charts the promotions, relegations, financial problems and missed opportunities that made Forest’s journey back to the big time such a compelling one. Cooper’s side’s thrilling and unexpected promotion campaign put an end to 23 years outside the top flight. In those lean times, Forest frequently became a byword for decline on the pitch and madness in the boardroom. The book features opinions and insights from those who worked on the pitch, in the dugout and in the corridors of power. It also tells the story of Forest’s first season back in the big time, through the eyes of fans, players and pundits – all the while exploring what it means to be connected to this grand, historic and pioneering club. From Frank Clark’s European dreamers to Cooper’s play-off winners, this is Forest’s roller-coaster ride of a story.
£17.09
Pitch Publishing Ltd USA 94: The World Cup That Changed the Game
A group of volunteers begged, borrowed and remortgaged a house on their way to convincing FIFA to hand them the keys to the 1994 World Cup. When they got the green light, the USA was tasked with presenting the greatest show on earth to a nation of non-believers, with a press corps just waiting for them to fail. Six years later, the country famed for its glitz, glamour and razzmatazz delivered a glorious summer of memorable kits and billowing goal nets, confounding the doubters as they shattered attendance records and drew fans in their millions. The full-throttle journey to the global phenomenon that football is today had begun. It was a tale of two missed penalties, a car chase, internal politics, triumph and tragedy in equal measure. Heroes were born, dreams were shattered and for many life would never be the same. If Italia 90 unlocked the door to the modern game, then USA 94 kicked it open and nailed it to the wall. The revolution was here, and it was televised.
£16.99
Pitch Publishing Ltd A Nation Again: The Inside Story of Scotland’s Journey to the European Championship
A Nation Again is the chaotic tale of the Scotland men's team's return to a major tournament after more than 20 years in the wilderness. Ten major tournaments had come and gone for Scotland since they reached France '98, but the birth of UEFA's Nations League offered a new route to glory. In early 2018, after a long search for Gordon Strachan's replacement, Alex McLeish became manager for a second time. But despite successfully navigating the Nations League group stage, it wasn't plain sailing, and his tenure ended after a shocking defeat at the start of Euro 2020 qualifying. With a play-off semi-final on the horizon, the Scottish FA turned to Steve Clarke, who took on the challenge of inspiring a team rooted in failure, creating a band-of-brothers mentality and figuring out how to organise this incredibly talented group of players. From a couple of the lowest lows came the highest high. With exclusive memories of those who were part of the journey, this is the story of how Scotland finally became a nation again.
£17.09
Pitch Publishing Ltd West Ham United: From East End Family to Globalised Fandom
West Ham United: From East End Family to Globalised Fandom is the story of the evolution of West Ham. It charts how a works football team was transformed into a club that represented east London's working classes, only to be transformed again in the late 20th and early 21st centuries into a global brand with supporters in every habitable place on Earth. Starting as the Thames Ironworks Ltd works team, they changed their name to West Ham United in 1900, shortly before moving to the Boleyn Ground in Upton Park. For nearly a century they were supported by local working-class men from across the East End of London until a series of economic, social, cultural, geographical and technological changes brought the club a global fanbase. Through surveying West Ham United fan groups across the world, this book attempts to explain this phenomenon and to get a sense of what the club means to those who originally came from the East End, as well as to those who have no biographical connection to the area.
£16.99
Pitch Publishing Ltd Trivquiz West Ham United: 1001 Questions
How much do you really know about West Ham United? Put your Hammers knowledge to the test with this bumper book of brainteaser quizzes and fascinating facts, beautifully illustrated by one of the world's leading sports artists. It's packed with trivia on all the West Ham greats - from World Cup heroes Moore, Hurst and Peters to Hammers legends Bonds, Brooking and beyond - providing hours of highly dippable fun and entertainment. Which West Ham manager played in a rock band called Rawbau? Who was West Ham's first non-British manager? A statue erected near the Boleyn Ground, honouring the Hammers' 1966 World Cup heroes, also includes which Everton player? Fan favourite Clyde Best was born in which country? Trivquiz West Ham United holds the answers to all these questions and hundreds more.
£9.99
Pitch Publishing Ltd Real Madrid On This Day: History, Facts & Figures from Every Day of the Year
Real Madrid On This Day revisits the most magical and memorable moments from the club's glorious past, mixing in a maelstrom of anecdotes and characters to produce an irresistibly dippable diary of one of the world's greatest football institutions - with an entry for every day of the year. From its foundation to the golden era of Di Stefano and Puskas, through the 'hippy years' to their ups and downs on the path to European Cup domination, the modern embodiment of Madridismo, the hard-fought El Clasico derbies against Barcelona and the Galacticos era - it's all here. Revisit 24 July 2000 when Luis Figo infamously joined the club from Barcelona, 4 January 1955 when the stadium changed its name in honour of club president Santiago Bernabeu, and 19 June 1943 when they annihilated Barcelona 11-1 in a Spanish Cup semi-final. With a treasure trove of club history, trivia and facts, this book is a 'must' for all Real Madrid fans.
£14.99
Pitch Publishing Ltd Marcelo Bielsa: Thirteen Steps to the Premier League
In June 2018 Leeds United made an appointment that shocked the footballing world. Despite being stuck in the second tier of English football and tagged the Championship's perennial chokers, they attracted one of the most revered coaches in world football. What followed captivated the hearts and minds of Leeds United's legion of passionate supporters worldwide. Marcelo Bielsa has crafted a team in his image, a team that plays in an almost bewildering attacking style with fluidity across the pitch. Leeds have become synonymous with exciting, attacking, vertical football and this style has seen them promoted back to the Premier League. Professional football analyst Lee Scott explains how, breaking down the tactics that have made Leeds so successful during Bielsa's time. He shows just how they occupy spaces and overload defences; how they press and cut off passing lanes to deny the opposition space to attack in the defensive phase; and more than that, he delves into Bielsa's mindset, to explain what makes the Argentine mastermind tick.
£12.99
Pitch Publishing Ltd King Klopp: Rebuilding the Liverpool Dynasty
King Klopp: Rebuilding the Liverpool Dynasty is the story behind Jurgen Klopp's success at Liverpool. Since Klopp's appointment as head coach in October 2015, the club has grown exponentially, swiftly becoming the dominant force in English and European football. But how was the team's rebirth achieved in just a few short years? Experienced football scout and opposition analyst Lee Scott takes an in-depth look at the tactical concepts underpinning Liverpool's success - revealing who does what, how and why. Discover the secrets of the game model developed by Klopp as well as the roles of key players in realising his master plan. Never afraid to experiment, Klopp has refined his game model year on year to the point where Liverpool dominate through their control of space as much as through their pressing and intensity. It's been some ride for Liverpool fans, but beyond the silverware and marquee wins lies an even more intriguing story - the story of a tactical evolution.
£11.69
Pitch Publishing Ltd A Life Behind the Lens: Thirty Years of Award Winning Photography from Sport's Most Iconic Moments
A Life Behind the Lens is a collection of the very best work of Richard `Dickie' Pelham, the multi award-winning chief sports photographer of The Sun for the past 30 years. He has covered six Olympic Games, six World Cups, any number of Test matches and many championship boxing bouts, capturing the moments of triumph and despair, the great goals, the knockout punches, the key wickets and the gold-medal glory. He has been trackside, ringside, pitchside and poolside as well as in the studio and on the training grounds with the biggest names in world sport, including Usain Bolt, Mo Farah, Jessica Ennis-Hill, Andy Murray, Paul Gascoigne, David Beckham, Tom Daley, Lennox Lewis and Anthony Joshua. His pictures have featured on memorable front and back pages and centre spreads. The images are accompanied by Dickie's own recounting of the human stories behind the pictures and the technical secrets of a master of his trade.
£27.00
Pitch Publishing Ltd The Unforgiven: Missionaries or Mercenaries? The Untold Story of the Rebel West Indian Cricketers Who Toured Apartheid South Africa
In the early 80s, 20 black West Indian cricketers were paid more than $100,000 each to take part in rebel tours of apartheid South Africa. Some, such as Lawrence Rowe and Alvin Kallicharran, were household names in the Caribbean and around the world, while others were fringe players seeking a short cut out of poverty. All would be condemned by the international cricketing fraternity. Accused of pocketing 'blood money' in order to prop up a regime that systematically discriminated against people of their own colour, they were banned for life from playing the sport they loved. In many cases, they were shunned by their fellow countrymen. A few turned to drugs and gangs, some turned to God - and others found themselves begging on the streets and dealing with mental illness. Forgotten and neglected for close to four decades, The Unforgiven tells their often-tragic stories through face-to-face interviews that explore the human cost of an onerous decision made early in these young men's lives.
£17.99
Pitch Publishing Ltd Scotland in the 70s: The Definitive Account of the Scotland Football Team 1970-1979
The 1970s saw a change in the fortunes of the Scottish national side. After a gap of 16 years World Cup qualification was achieved for the finals in West Germany in 1974. Credited as the only undefeated side at the tournament, the sobering trip to Argentina four years later prompted more realistic future expectations. In a decade in which the SFA celebrated its centenary, the scandal of the Copenhagen Five and a breakdown in relations between the press and players were significant events - while, on the park, players of the calibre of Dalglish, Hartford, Jordan, Souness and McQueen replaced the old guard. Scotland in the 70s looks beyond the decade's 89 matches, examining the role of the managers - Brown, Docherty, Ormond, MacLeod, Stein - and the circumstances surrounding the many memorable games. Extensive newspaper and video archive research is complemented by the memories of star contributors including Bobby Brown, Archie MacPherson, Asa Hartford, Eddie Gray, Willie Morgan, Willie Johnston, Lou Macari, Bobby Clark, Jimmy Bone and John Blackley.
£14.99
Pitch Publishing Ltd Chasing Points: A Season on the Pro Tennis Circuit
At 34 years of age, Gregory Howe quit teaching in London to chase his childhood dream of becoming a world-ranked tennis professional. He started his year-long journey in the minor leagues, playing across four continents, as far afield as Bangkok, Kampala and Lahore, initially struggling against younger, fitter aspiring pros. Breaking through to the elite ATP tour, he got within volleying distance of some of the greats of the modern game. Eventually, he managed to juggle competing on the ATP tour with holding down a nine-to-five job. Along the way he encountered almost everything the tennis world has to offer, from rising stars racing to the top, to players whose hopes are slowly being shattered. Chasing Points: A Season on the Men's Pro Tennis Circuit offers a rare behind-the-scenes glimpse into the life of a touring tennis professional from the perspective of a real 'underdog'.
£12.99
Pitch Publishing Ltd Aberdeen Greatest Games: The Dons' Fifty Finest Matches
From the controversy that surrounded Aberdeen FC's first cup semi-final, through the triumphant European golden era of the 80s to their long-awaited return to glory with their League Cup win in 2014, here are 50 of the club's most glorious, epochal and thrilling games of all. Aberdeen's isolation as a northerly football outpost has helped to forge their own remarkable story, as reflected in the games covered in this book. The Dons have a rich 115-year history that has been defined by their achievements on foreign shores rather than by battling local rivals. An irresistible cast list of club legends - manager Alex Ferguson, Gordon Strachan and Joe Harper, Willie Miller, Jim Leighton and Duncan Shearer - comes to life in these thrilling tales of goalscoring feats, Hampden glory and triumphs on foreign fields. As the club enters a new era, with relocation from their spiritual home of Pittodrie edging ever closer, Aberdeen Greatest Games reflects on unforgettable moments in the club's history that are guaranteed to make any fan's heart swell with pride.
£17.99
Pitch Publishing Ltd Eibar the Brave: The Extraordinary Rise of la Liga's Smallest Team
Sociedad Deportiva Eibar is the Basque side from a passionate football town one-third the size of the Camp Nou. Eibar the Brave tells the amazing Cinderella story of La Liga's smallest club, which has seen Barcelona and Real Madrid playing top-tier football at Ipurua, the 5000-capacity stadium that Eibar calls home. Promotion-party pitch invasions are not uncommon; but the night of 25 May 2014 saw a promotion with a difference, involving a wildly unorthodox club. There weren't enough fans to cover the pitch. The celebration was 45 minutes after the final whistle. The team was wearing their away kit despite having played at home. And Eibar could still potentially be relegated! Having followed Eibar and witnessed the madness first-hand, Euan McTear documents the club's first season in La Liga and discusses all the pieces put into place over the years to make 2014/15 a season like no other.
£9.99
Pitch Publishing Ltd Racing Post Desk Calendar 2020
Popular tent-folded, wiro-bound desk calendar featuring one month to view with every race meeting in the UK and Ireland – Jumps, Flat and the All-Weather. Also includes principal race and bloodstock sales dates. Every month is illustrated with a superb colour photograph the Racing Post’s award-winning photographer Edward Whitaker.
£10.00
Pitch Publishing Ltd Chelsea Cult Heroes: Stamford Bridge's Greatest Icons
Chelsea Cult Heroes is devoted to those players who, over the years, have won a special place in the hearts of the Stamford Bridge faithful - not necessarily the greatest footballers, but a unique brotherhood of mavericks and stalwarts, local lads and exotic imports. The cast list alone is enough to stir up the memories and tug at the heartstrings of any Blues fan - Zola, Cooke and Dixon, Greaves, Harris and Bentley - recalling how these charismatic personalities used to ignite passion on the terraces. Find out which Blues icon used to entertain crowds by dangling opposing forwards head down in the mud. Whose favourite meal was recorded as "razor blades and iron filings", and who honed his football skills juggling a tennis ball for money as he travelled across Europe! Discover and delight in the magical qualities of these 20 mere mortals elevated to cult status down the Fulham Road.
£11.85
Pitch Publishing Ltd Paul Parker England Cover
Paul Parker's England manager once described him as a player who "leaps like a salmon and tackles like a ferret". This autobiography talks about his years of struggle against racism which brought him to the top level of football, reveals how he saved Fulham Football Club from extinction, why he left QPR and refused to sign for Arsenal, and more.
£17.09
Pitch Publishing Ltd KP: Cricket Genius
Once the opinionated, party-going socialite, complete with celebrity girlfriends and ridiculous haircuts, Kevin Pietersen has developed into the biggest crowd pleaser in English cricket, some would say modern sport. This fascinating and well-researched biography draws on interviews with Pietersen and those who know him best, including many of his mentors, team-mates and opponents. As Pietersen prepares for his biggest challenge yet - leading England's attempt to regain the Ashes from Australia - this unique appraisal tells, for the first time, the full story behind Britain's most exhilarating and successful sportsman.
£6.41
Pitch Publishing Ltd The Best of Enemies: Whingeing Poms Versus Arrogant Aussies
One of the great rivalries in sport returns this summer, but what is it about a six-inch terracotta urn that en flames the passions of Poms and Aussies? Why do the English think that all Australians are alcoholic simpletons? Why do Australians think the English all have a stick up their backside? And why do they need (and needle) each other so much? In this humorous look at one of the truly great rivalries, written by "The Times'" cricket blogger and a professional Australian bar-room pontificator, the grudges, sledges, heroes and villains are laid bare.
£5.80
Pitch Publishing Ltd Horses in Training 2023
Horses in Training is an institution in racing - an indispensable tool for every racing enthusiast. Written in an easy-to-follow style, it is an encyclopaedia of invaluable information on the horses each trainer has in their care, with more than 18,000 horses and 557 trainers. The book lists alphabetically the British, Irish and French trainers, their horses, the owner and breeder of every horse, foaling dates of two-year-olds and the trainer's address and phone numbers. Fully indexed, it includes more than 150 pages of key statistics, covering everything from big-race winners to trainer tables, fixtures and racecourse information. The book is expertly edited by Graham Dench, a Racing Post senior reporter and former form book editor.
£26.99
Pitch Publishing Ltd Pride: The Inside Story of Derby County in the 21st Century
Pride: The Inside Story of Derby County in the 21st Century is the fascinating story of one of Britain's most tumultuous football teams, as told by the people at the heart of the club. Ryan Hills gained exclusive access to almost 50 former players, managers and board members to bring you the Rams' modern history. The move to Pride Park in 1997 was supposed to mark an exciting new chapter for the club. But despite initial success, things started to go wrong. Relegation from the Premier League caused huge financial strife, leading to the arrest of three board members. On the pitch, a single promotion brought the worst season in Derby's history and a 362-day wait for a win. Since that fateful season, the club have been on a cyclical and so far fruitless mission to return to the Premier League, while dressing-room turmoil, car crashes and a man named Bobby have stood in their way. Pride gives you the inside track on a football club that refuses to accept obscurity, as revealed by those who know it best.
£17.99
Pitch Publishing Ltd The Greatest Escape: The Craziest Season in West Ham United's History
As a football fan, there are those seasons which remain indelibly inscribed in the memory. Simply unforgettable. The 2006/07 season remains one of those for fans of West Ham United. A season that began with such promise: Alan Pardew signed two genuine world-class players ahead of the kick-off, but little did the Argentinian pair of Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano know they joined a season-long relegation battle. Roll forward to the business end, and with nine matches left to play the Hammers looked doomed. Seven wins from those nine made it arguably the greatest escape in English top-flight history. A season so memorable for all the wrong reasons: going two months without a goal; 11 games without a win; snatching defeat from the jaws of victory against your biggest rivals. Then having survived, on the final day by winning at Old Trafford, extra-time in the courts, with the rest of football saying you had cheated, and the table did lie. The Greatest Escape is the story of the highs, lows and controversies that were the 2006/07 season.
£15.29
Pitch Publishing Ltd Rangers FC in the 1980s: The Players' Stories
Rangers in the 1980s chronicles the fortunes of the club during one of the most turbulent, transitional decades in their history. The story is told by the players of the era, who recount their routes to Ibrox, memories of their time with the club, and retrospective opinions on both Rangers FC and the changing game. After securing the domestic Treble in season 1977/78 and narrowly missing out on winning all three trophies again in 1978/79, Rangers entered a period of several seasons in the wilderness. Under the guidance of John Greig, a successful but ageing team was broken up and Ibrox Stadium was redeveloped. Jock Wallace tried to mastermind a return to the club's former glories. Then the arrival of the visionary David Holmes kick-started a revolution. Former players such as Richard Gough, Ally Dawson, Bobby Russell, Hugh Burns and Derek Johnstone share their enthralling inside stories of life at Rangers, recalling the rollercoaster ride experienced as the club strove to re-establish itself at the pinnacle of the Scottish game.
£17.99
Pitch Publishing Ltd Promotion-Winning Canaries: Memories, Players, Facts and Figures Behind All of Norwich City's Post-War Promotions
Promotion-Winning Canaries gives fans the opportunity to relive all the good times at Carrow Road as Norwich City progressed through the leagues. Detailing the post-war seasons when City went up as champions, runners-up, in third place or via play-off drama, every promotion-winning player is profiled, with insight from many at the heart of the action. Spanning contrasting eras, from the late 1950s to the Premier League, here are all the facts and figures, characters and stories behind some classic Canaries campaigns. Exclusive star interviews reveal the atmosphere in the dressing rooms, and what it was like to play in the club's most important historical matches. Learn how the famous 1959 FA Cup team used the disappointment of their semi-final replay defeat to spur them on to promotion. Discover the influence of Martin O'Neill in 1981/82 and the impact of Darren Huckerby in 2003/04. Looking back on the greatest seasons of all, Promotion-Winning Canaries offers a trip on the Norwich City rollercoaster - with all of the ups, minus the downs!
£15.29
Pitch Publishing Ltd Wednesday v United: The Sheffield Derby
Wednesday v United: The Sheffield Derby presents a vivid account of one of the most passionate rivalries in football. Looking back to the Victorian era and the start of the Steel City divide, it features a decade-by-decade history of the derby in the context of the changing times. With an enhanced focus on the modern era, the derby rivalry is brought right up to date with a spotlight on the latest games. Richard Crooks describes how the fortunes of the two clubs have ebbed and flowed over the years. Individual derby matches are highlighted, providing emotive examples of each club's highs and lows, recalling the wildly contrasting rollercoaster ride undertaken by red and blue factions. The great games, players and managers are all to the fore. Using contemporary written and broadcast material together with the author's first-hand account and experiences, Wednesday v United brings home the intensity that is the hallmark of the Sheffield divide.
£17.99
Pitch Publishing Ltd Birmingham City On This Day: History, Facts & Figures from Every Day of the Year
Birmingham City On This Day revisits the most magical and memorable moments from the club's distinguished history, mixing in a maelstrom of anecdotes and characters to produce an irresistibly dippable Blues diary - with an entry for every day of the year. From its beginnings as Small Heath Alliance in 1875 right through to the modern era and golden goals at Wembley, here are all the rollercoaster highs and lows. The club won the first ever Second Division title in 1893; Blues were the first English team to compete in European competition and the first to reach a European final. Birmingham City have twice won the League Cup and twice reached the FA Cup final. Relive the day in 1963 when Blues beat Villa to win a first major trophy, remember when Darren Carter's penalty clinched promotion in Cardiff, and when Obafemi Martins shocked Arsenal to recapture the League Cup. Recall the exploits of legends such as Joe Bradford, Gil Merrick and Bob Latchford, Trevor Francis, Michael Johnson and Christophe Dugarry.
£9.99
Pitch Publishing Ltd Derby County Greatest Games: The Rams' Fifty Finest Matches
From the thousands of matches ever played by Derby County, stretching from the foundation of the Football League across more than 120 years to the Premier League era, 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, Derby County Greatest Games offers a terrace ticket back in time, taking in the curse-breaking FA Cup victory of 1946 and the glory days of the Rams' championship seasons. An irresistible cast list of club legends - Steve Bloomer and Dave Mackay, Igor Stimac, Steve Howard and Brian Clough - springs to life in a thrilling selection of promotion parties, 1970s European giant-killing nights and clashes with the old enemy from along the A52. In all, a journey through the highlights of Rams history which is guaranteed to make any fan's heart swell with pride.
£16.99
Pitch Publishing Ltd Grovel!: The Story and Legacy of the Summer of 1976
When England cricket captain Tony Greig announced that he intended to make the West Indies 'grovel', he lit a fire that burned as intensely as the sunshine that made 1976 one of the most memorable summers in British history. Spurred on by what they saw as a deeply offensive remark, especially from a white South African, Clive Lloyd's touring team vowed to make Greig pay. In Viv Richards, emerging as the world's most exciting batsman, and fast bowlers Michael Holding and Andy Roberts they had the players to do it. Featuring interviews with key figures from English and West Indian cricket, Grovel!: The Story and Legacy of the Summer of 1976 provides a fascinating study of the events and social issues surrounding one of the sport's most controversial and colourful tours - as well as addressing the decline of West Indies cricket and its loss of support in the new century.
£12.99
Pitch Publishing Ltd Chasing Sachin
The story of one obsessive fan's unlikely ambition: to bowl just one ball at his childhood hero, Sachin Tendulkar. From the very first time he'd ever watched the 'Little Master' bat, as a 12-year-old boy, Adam Carroll-Smith had been transfixed. He dreamed not just of bowling to Tendulkar, but of actually knocking over his off stump. Just one problem: he was never really much of a cricketer. However, determined not to let such a small detail stand in his way - and eager to settle an old score with a childhood chum - Carroll-Smith earnestly set about achieving the unthinkable during India's 2011 tour of England. A hilarious summer ensued as he attempted to live out his fantasy, fending off the attentions of over-zealous fellow fans, crazed Italian spiritualists and his meddling best friend - not to mention the dozens of blazered officials and luminous-jacketed stewards standing between him and his hero.
£9.99
Pitch Publishing Ltd Sheffield Wednesday Miscellany: Owls Trivia, History, Facts & Stats
Sheffield Wednesday Miscellany collects together all the vital information you never knew you needed to know about the Owls. In these pages you will find irresistible anecdotes and the most mindblowing stats and facts. Heard the one about the former player who was wrongly presumed dead for 95 years? How about the time the lads were drawn away from home in the Cup on ten consecutive occasions? Or the ex-Owl whose playing career wound up in Greenland and the Falkland Islands? Do you know which Wednesday winger drove to matches in an ice-cream van? The result of the 'secret' match played under the new Hillsborough floodlights? Or the depth of the floodwater on the pitch in 2007? All these stories and hundreds more appear in a brilliantly researched collection of trivia - essential for any Wednesday fan who holds the riches of the club's history close to their heart.
£9.99
Pitch Publishing Ltd The Cardiff City Miscellany: Bluebirds History, Trivia, Facts and Stats
Cardiff City Miscellany collects together all the vital information you never knew you needed to know about the Bluebirds. In these pages you will find irresistible anecdotes and the most mindblowing stats and facts. Heard the one about the striker who bought a round of drinks for the City directors, and cheekily put it on the club's bill? How about the time the first team worked as labourers on a Ninian Park stand? Or the three brothers who appeared in the same City squad? Do you know which City keeper let in 32 goals in a month? When a fan walked to away matches against Chelsea, Liverpool and Newcastle? Or how a Cup tie came against Bristol City lasted 202 minutes? All these stories and hundreds more appear in a brilliantly researched collection of trivia - essential for any fan who holds the riches of Bluebirds history close to their heart.
£9.99
Pitch Publishing Ltd From Red to Read: The Story of Fergie's First Fledgling
From Red to Read: The Story of Fergie's First Fledgling at Manchester United is the compelling tale of former professional footballer Dr Alan Tonge and his journey from Manchester United to PhD graduate. Alan became Sir Alex Ferguson's first acquisition when he signed for the Red Devils as a schoolboy in January 1987. He turned professional with his boyhood club but suffered the heartbreak of being released when he was 19. A move to Exeter City provided the opportunity to play first-team football under World Cup-winner Alan Ball before a serious back injury ended Tonge’s football career at the age of just 22. After feeling completely lost and enduring mental-health battles, Tonge rebuilt his life by reinvesting in his education. He achieved numerous academic qualifications, culminating in a PhD, alongside a successful career as a university lecturer. From Red to Read is the inspirational story of a man who found an alternative route to success and happiness after his dreams of a football career were cut short.
£17.99
Pitch Publishing Ltd A Culture of Kits: The Definitive Guide to Classic Football Shirt Collecting
Culture of Kits: The Definitive Guide to Classic Football Shirt Collecting is a fascinating exploration of the booming business behind the growing culture and community surrounding vintage football shirts. The intersection between fashion and football has never been more pronounced, resulting in the market for classic football shirts growing into a multi-million-pound business in the past ten years. Culture of Kits captures the story of the people and companies behind the growth in global collecting who have turned a once-niche pastime into mainstream fashion. Charting the milestones in the community’s rise to societal prominence, it explores the key questions surrounding this growth story. What makes a shirt a classic? What motivates collectors? Is shirt-collecting here to stay or a cyclical fashion trend? Drawing on intel from experts and global collectors, this book lifts the lid on the cultural phenomenon of football shirt fashion and provides the ultimate guide to classic football shirt collecting.
£27.00
Pitch Publishing Ltd Starting from the Back of the Grid: Misadventures Inside Formula One's Flying Circus
Starting from the Back of the Grid: Misadventures Inside Formula One's Flying Circus is the hilarious and endearing story of how an academic flop with a prodigious talent for getting into embarrassing situations somehow succeeds in the glamorous world of Formula One.The author, a TV producer and occasional cameraman, gives a distinctive perspective on F1’s Flying Circus, up close and personal with motorsport legends, A-list celebrities and the super-rich. He tells of his encounters with its greatest drivers and most intriguing behind-the-scenes personalities, and recalls the sport’s rivalries, tragedies and scandals.He charts his own comedic career path from rough sleeper on a rubbish tip in Hong Kong to the paddock in Monte Carlo where his first words to Michael Schumacher caused the racing legend to inflate with rage. But a few traumatic days later he is sipping champagne high above the track on race day.If you love Formula One and have a sense of humour, you will want to read this book.
£22.50
Pitch Publishing Ltd Revolution of Wolves: A Premier League Trilogy 2003-2023
Revolution of Wolves charts the dramatic progress of Wolverhampton Wanderers both on and off the pitch over the last 20 years, starting with the club’s first promotion to the Premier League. From local-born benefactor Sir Jack Hayward to global investment conglomerate Fosun International, the boardroom changes have been matched by those in the dugout as Wolves went from a traditional English-based 4-4-2 team under Dave Jones and Mick McCarthy to a cosmopolitan European outfit under Nuno Espirito Santo. The book brings us exclusive interviews with those at the heart of the story. Alongside all the promotion winners, managers such as Glenn Hoddle and Paul Lambert give their first interviews about their time at Wolves. We hear stories from the likes of Paul Ince, Joleon Lescott, Karl Henry, Conor Coady, Diogo Jota and Ruben Neves as well as boardroom insight from Jez Moxey, Steve Morgan and Jeff Shi. Revolution of Wolves is the most comprehensive and authoritative work ever written about the modern Wolverhampton Wanderers.
£22.50
Pitch Publishing Ltd Mastering the Premier League: The Tactical Concepts behind Pep Guardiola's Manchester City
Mastering the Premier League is the story behind the success of Pep Guardiola at Manchester City. It offers an in-depth look at the tactical concepts underlying a footballing superpower - revealing who does what, how and why. Discover the secrets of the game model developed by Guardiola that sets City apart from the rest. When Guardiola joined Manchester City in 2016 there were doubts that he could replicate his successful model of football in the English game. But after a single season of acclimatisation we saw those doubts shattered as City won the Premier League in 2017/18 with a record 100 points. Beyond the trophies and the records, however, lies a yet more intriguing story - of how Guardiola adapted and perfected the tactical principles that had made him so successful at Barcelona and Bayern Munich. Who played the key roles on the field, enabling Manchester City's successes of 2017-19. And why the other Premier League sides were unable to stop the City juggernaut sweeping aside all in its path.
£16.99
Pitch Publishing Ltd Auld Foes: World Football's Oldest Rivalry
Auld Foes is the remarkable story of the world’s oldest football rivalry – Heart of Midlothian v Hibernian – interwoven with a fascinating 150-year Edinburgh history. For more than a century the rivalry ebbed and flowed, culminating in a hostile takeover bid in 1990. While this raised hostilities off the pitch to a new high, animosity between the Edinburgh sides was nothing new. Theirs is a rivalry as complex and historic as Edinburgh itself, encompassing World Wars and sacrifice, Scottish society, religious and ethnic hatred, social class, football hooliganism, clubs on the brink of death saved by amazing feats of fan devotion, and the dubious financial dealings – and characters – that took them to the edge of ruin. This is a story with exhilarating highs, innovations, world firsts and trailblazing in Europe; plus the wretched lows of relegations, agonising near-misses and everything in between. Auld Foes shines a vital spotlight on a captivating football rivalry that is poorly understood.
£16.99
Pitch Publishing Ltd Give it to Moore; He Will Score!: The Authorised Biography of Ian Storey-Moore, The Man Clough Couldn’t Buy
Give it to Moore, He Will Score! is the authorised biography of footballing icon Ian Storey-Moore, Nottingham Forest’s legendary forward of the 1960s and early 70s. Scoring more than 100 top-flight goals for Forest, he became the most sought-after striker in the land. An England international, injury robbed him of numerous caps and a place at the Mexico 1970 World Cup. Moore’s sensational on-off transfer to Derby County for a British record fee was front-page news and left Brian Clough unable to speak to him for two decades. Joining Manchester United instead, he played alongside Best, Law and Charlton before sampling life in the nascent US soccer scene. Here, for the first time, the authors tell the full story of Moore’s life and career, drawing on their extensive interviews with him, his personal scrapbooks and their own first-hand memories. With Moore still a hugely popular figure among fans, his story is essential reading for Forest and United supporters, plus anyone with an interest in football history.
£22.50
Pitch Publishing Ltd Echoes of an Italian Summer: Stories from Italia 90
Echoes of an Italian Summer reveals the fascinating stories that underpin the magical Italia 90 World Cup, many of them told for the first time in this enthralling book. For many football fans – including the author – Italia 90 is fondly remembered as the first World Cup that was truly theirs. While a lot has been written about the tournament itself, many stories surrounding that pivotal World Cup have been lost with the passage of time. The book examines Italia 90 from a fresh new angle, unearthing an array of stories with this iconic World Cup at their heart that will fascinate football fans everywhere. While reading this superb collection of tales, you’ll learn about the other Schillaci who could have made it to the World Cup, the goalkeeper who went on to play in the NFL, the impact of the removal of the back-pass rule and the story behind the now-legendary kit worn by Germany. Echoes of an Italian Summer is chock-full of World Cup nostalgia and previously untold tales.
£14.99
Pitch Publishing Ltd Hope and Glory: Rugby League in Thatcher's Britain
Hope and Glory recreates the extraordinary era of Thatcherite Britain with the dramatic tension of a novel, revealing it as a critical moment in rugby league history when despite losing everything, anything seemed possible. Rugby league should never have survived Thatcher's Britain. As the sport of the working class, the expectation was that rugby league would suffer the same fate as the textile mills, factories and coal mines that once surrounded it. Having declined in the 1970s, the sport appeared to be at the point of no return in 1982, when the Australian team destroyed any remaining illusions of 'British exceptionalism'. But as it often does, rugby league found a way to turn itself around. From the pit villages which fought industrial decline to the players who ushered in the new professional era, the 1980s was the decade when rugby league finally came of age. By the 1990s, there was an optimism that it could even replace football as the global game for the 21st century.
£22.50
Pitch Publishing Ltd Box! Box! Box!: The Inside Track of the 2022 Formula One Season
Box! Box! Box! tells the story of the 2022 Formula One championship. It captures the drama on and beyond the Grand Prix circuit, from high-speed accidents to the glamour of Monaco. After the fall -out of Abu Dhabi in 2021, would F1 ever be the same? Max Verstappen would be tested by a new challenge from the scarlet Ferraris. With new rivals, would he keep his nerve and prove himself a worthy champion? And could Lewis Hamilton bounce back after the huge disappointment of missing out on his eighth title? More than a race review, this book shines a light on what makes the sport tick away from the circuits. So, strap in as we revisit the 2022 campaign through each round, along with the stories that make F1 fascinating beyond race days.
£17.09
Pitch Publishing Ltd The Match: The Story of Italy v Brazil
The Match is the tale of one of the most iconic games in World Cup history: Italy v Brazil at Spain '82. Piero Trellini delves into the stories of the great characters who lit up that unforgettable match - from Paolo Rossi to Sócrates, from Enzo Bearzot to Zico - as well as some forgotten figures who all played their part. The book takes us on a fascinating journey through the 1982 Mundial, exploring the football scene of the day and dishing out fascinating anecdotes on the various historical and sporting links between the two countries. Italy, a nation historically at the forefront of football, did not arrive in Spain as favourites, with widespread doubts about their chances, even in the Italian press. This is one of the reasons why their triumph that summer is still celebrated in Italy above other historic victories by the Azzurri. Following that momentous win, Italy would become the favourite destination for Europe and South America's greatest players.
£22.50
Pitch Publishing Ltd Divided Cities: The World's Most Passionate Single City Derbies
Rivalry is everywhere in football, from battles on the pitch to boardroom politics, regional and national quarrels and fights for silverware. These conflicts spark countless debates over which are the 'biggest' and 'best' fixtures in the global game, but those involving teams from the same city are especially intense, both on and off the pitch. Divided Cities is a game by game account of the good, bad, indifferent but always eventful experiences of journeying to 11 of the world's most prominent same-city derbies. Along the way, Kevin Pogorzelski explores some of the most wonderful cities on Earth, delving into the rich histories of clubs and meeting the people who live and breathe the local football culture. Pogorzelski does not try to glorify the violence or animosity between ultra groups but stumbles into some tricky situations. Have you ever thought about embarking on your own football pilgrimage? Then this book is for you.
£14.99
Pitch Publishing Ltd Glory; Glory; Gone: The Story of Tottenham Hotspur's Regression, Relegation and Rebirth in the 1970s
From the 'team of the century' to relegation, from Feyenoord to Field Mill, from trophies under the iconic Bill Nicholson to relegation under former Zambia coach Keith Burkinshaw - all in a little over three years. The 1970s weren't kind to Spurs. Nicholson's exit, the loss of legendary players and the club's eventual relegation all took place during a defining decade for British sport, painted against a backdrop of dramatic change for society at large. Social and economic malaise both informed and fed off a blooming culture of football hooliganism. The defining images of the decade were violent ones, both on and off the terraces. This book explores Tottenham's place in that unfolding drama, the club's own Götterdämmerung. But, as in Wagner's Ring, there was also a renaissance. The sun rose again as that same maligned Burkinshaw built an exciting team around the young Glenn Hoddle and World Cup-winning duo Ossie Ardiles and Ricky Villa. By the end of the decade, Tottenham had been reborn and were ready for more glory, glory days.
£17.09
Pitch Publishing Ltd El Más Grande: The Story of River Plate, Argentina's Biggest Club
El Más Grande is the story of Argentina's biggest and most successful football club, River Plate. From their humble origins in the southern districts of Buenos Aires, River grew into one of the largest clubs in South America, earning the nickname 'The Millionaires' as they established themselves at the iconic Monumental Stadium. Over the years, River have propelled some of the greatest talents on the continent to fame, whilst enchanting generations of fans with their stylish play. The book journeys back to the 'máquina' team of the 1940s, arguably the most attractive club side of the pre-television era, with its fabled frontline of Moreno, Loustau, Pedernera, Labruna and Muñoz. It takes us through the great sides of the 1950s, 70s and 90s right up to the all-conquering reign of present coach Marcelo Gallardo. Along the way, we discover the great players who have worn the distinctive white shirt with the red sash - from Bernabé Ferreyra, Alfredo Di Stéfano and Enzo Francescoli to Manchester City's new signing Julián Álvarez.
£22.50