Search results for ""Pitch Publishing""

This is the first full-length biography of Ron Greenwood, West Ham United's most successful trophy-winning manager - a man who was instrumental in the development of 1966 World Cup-winning heroes Moore, Hurst and Peters. Ron lacked the ruthlessness of his more feted contemporaries, Bill Shankly and Don Revie, with whom his trophy success did not compare. But his West Ham team of the mid-1960s had its own moments of heady triumph - an FA Cup win in 1964 (the club's first), a European Cup Winners' Cup victory in 1965 (only the second European win by an English club) - and crucially they were always easy on the eye, even in defeat. Then there was the little matter of supplying three team members to England's World Cup victory in 1966, at a tournament in which their perfection of Greenwood's near-post cross ploy proved devastating. After 16 years at West Ham, Greenwood became England manager in 1977 and led them to the 1982 World Cup. An impeccable sportsman, deep thinker and skilled communicator, he was a noble servant to football.

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The Leeds United Collection takes you on a fascinating multi-coloured journey through the club's history from 1919 to the present day. With stunning photos of unique match-worn Leeds shirts and other paraphernalia, the book tells the Whites' story alongside anecdotes, interviews and quotes from many big names. See home and away shirts worn by Leeds legends from various eras including Billy Bremner and Albert Johanneson, David Batty, Gary Speed, Peter Lorimer, Paul Madeley, Paul Reaney, Norman Hunter, Mick Jones, Allan Clarke, Frank and Eddie Gray, Terry Yorath, John Sheridan, Ian Baird, Fabian Delph, Kalvin Phillips, Pablo Hernandez and many more. These superb images are brought to life with commentary on title- and trophy-winning seasons, plus promotion-winning campaigns. There are also interviews with Eddie Gray, Howard Wilkinson, Pablo Hernandez, Allan Clarke, Tony Currie, Jermaine Beckford, Aidan Butterworth, Simon Grayson, Brian Deane, Rod Wallace, Dominic Matteo and many more. This is a book no true Whites fan should be without.

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Beautiful Bridesmaids Dressed in Oranje: The Unfulfilled Glory of Dutch Football is the story of a dazzling football dream. Built on the club successes of Ajax and Feyenoord, it's a utopian ideal that blazed with a bright but ephemeral Oranje flame, scorching the football pitches of the world in the 1970s. Although Dutch clubs dominated the European Cup from 1969 to 1973, until 1974 the Oranje had failed to qualify for a World Cup for 36 years. Two finals then followed in successive tournaments, as 'totaalvoetbal' burst from its chrysalis, proudly revealing to the world its wings adorned with vivid shades of Oranje. The winners were the brides. It was their day, but the Dutch sides were more beautiful, yet so fragile, and football loved them for it. This isn't merely a tale of bridesmaids who came so close yet failed gloriously. It is the celebration of a footballing counter-culture, a revolution, a flame that burned so brightly, but so briefly. It's the story of those Beautiful Bridesmaids Dressed in Oranje.

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Wimbledon's Greatest Games features 50 of the most exciting and absorbing tennis matches ever played on the All England Club's courts. Journey back in time and relive the unforgettable feats of Rod Laver, Althea Gibson, Boris Becker, John McEnroe, Billie Jean King, Jimmy Connors, Pete Sampras, Andy Murray, Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, Martina Navratilova and Serena Williams among many others. From the roar of the crowd to the emotion of the players, the drop-shots, the volleys, the epic rallies and the double-faults, each thrilling contest comes alive as the action from the famous venue is brought to you in vivid detail. So, serve yourself a Pimm's, sit back and let Abi Smith transport you to Centre Court as you explore this comprehensive collection from the greatest tournament of all. Capturing gentlemen's, ladies' and doubles matches that have shaped the game, Wimbledon's Greatest Games is an action-packed, ace-filled guide that every SW19 fan will want to devour.

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Football's Braveheart is the riveting life story of Dave Mackay, the fearless, skilled, heroic and barrel-chested left-half who was an icon for Spurs, Hearts, Derby and Scotland. Off the field, Dave was a humble, fair-minded, sociable man. On it, he was an out-and-out winner, a warrior and inspiration with consummate ball skills and intelligence. The heartbeat of Spurs' double-winning side of 1961, he came back after two broken legs to add to a glittering trophy collection started at Hearts. After his playing career, Mackay distinguished himself as a title-winning manager with Derby County. A legends' legend, he was lauded by George Best as the hardest and bravest opponent he ever faced. Fabled managers Bill Nicholson (Spurs) and Brian Clough (Derby) hailed him as their best signing, and other admirers included Jimmy Greaves, Denis Law and Sir Alex Ferguson. Author Mike Donovan has gained exclusive, first-hand insights from those who knew Mackay best to bring you the definitive story of a man who made an indelible mark on football.

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Against the Elements is an enthralling account of football's most captivating underdog story. With a population of just 350,000, Iceland stunned the sporting world when it went toe-to-toe with the elite at Euro 2016 and the 2018 World Cup. So how was such a tiny nation, sited on the edge of the Arctic circle, able to take on the giants of world football? Matt McGinn draws on 50 exclusive interviews with the key protagonists to unpick how it happened. Does an Icelandic 'Viking' mentality exist? Can smallness be an advantage? Is there a template for other countries to follow? McGinn experienced Iceland's World Cup campaign in different parts of the country - from five days spent on a fishing trawler, to Iceland's bustling capital of Reykjavík, to the jagged volcanic island of Heimaey. Part travelogue, part thematic investigation, Against the Elements searches for the truth behind the Iceland football team's remarkable, unprecedented rise, bringing to life the people, places and values of the nation that produced this astonishing team.

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Have you ever wanted to visit the most scenic, historic or important football grounds in Britain, but weren't sure where to start or what to include? In British Football's Greatest Grounds, Mike Bayly offers a bucket list of places to watch football in England, Wales and Scotland as chosen by fans across the world.This first-of-its-kind book introduces the reader to a diverse and often breathtaking range of Britain's football venues. In addition to the oldest, biggest and highest our nation has to offer, it covers lesser-known grounds nestling next to castles, beaches, churches and mountain ranges, as well as modern Premier League stadiums in major cities. Featuring beautiful images taken by acclaimed sports photographers, along with written contributions from respected industry figures, British Football's Greatest Grounds is part guide, part love letter to the history, people and places that showcase the best of our unique football landscape. It's sure to leave you planning a future football trip.

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Twenty Bristol City legends tell the stories behind their favourite ever games for the club - enabling fans of all ages to relive these magic moments through the eyes and emotions of the men who were there, pulling on the famous red shirt. Bristol City Match of My Life leads the reader through the highs and lows in the words of the players who made the fans' dreams - and, at times, nightmares - a reality. The heart-stopping accounts include the celebrated conquering of mighty Liverpool during the 90s, promotion to football's elite back in the 70s and also the dark days of the 80s when the club almost went out of existence. This powerful collection of stories by City heroes such as John Galley, Geoff Merrick, Mike Gibson, Bob Taylor and Louis Carey is a must for every generation of City fans. Covering the 60s to the present day, the footballers' own stories create an evocative record of the changes within the game. Only one thing never changes, and that's how much this wonderful club means to each player.

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Lap of Honour offers a journey back to the golden age of motor racing, through the lens of a revived 60s schoolboy photographer. Tim Hain revisits his favourite haunts and heroes, and hitches a ride with Sir Stirling Moss, whose colourful foreword kick-starts the journey. 'I can't believe Tim has never held a press pass,' Stirling writes. 'His pictures are really great.' Here is a true 'fan's eye view' with evocative pictures and stories spanning 56 years, from 1962 to 2018. At the first Goodwood Revival in 1998, Hain's interest was reawakened after 35 years. All he wanted was a picture of his first hero; but he went on to photograph Moss in 33 cars, with his input on each, creating a unique portrait of 'The Maestro'. Tim encounters and interviews other 60s legends, candidly snaps a host of stars on and off the track, and gathers contributions from the likes of Murray Walker and musician Mark Knopfler. Lap of Honour has an intimacy, a sense of humour and a story behind every picture that makes it unlike any other book on motor racing.

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Evertonians know what it is to experience greatness. Since the club first came to life in 1878 there have been titles won, European adventures and trips to Wembley. The fans have seen records broken, legends make their mark, matches of undeniable class. Every decade that Everton have been in existence has yielded moments of wonder, games that supporters at the time have cherished for their entire lives and which fans of subsequent generations have looked back on with undeniable pride. From the earliest days, when St Domingo's first morphed into something recognisable as a modern football club, the whole span of Everton's narrative is covered here. Those earliest title wins, those earliest finals, Dean, Lawton, Hickson, the Holy Trinity, Latchford, the glory of Kendall, the agony of Wimbledon, the joy of Royle and restoration under Moyes. Everton Greatest Games is more than just a selection of the moments that have stirred the soul of Blues. It is the story of Everton, the tale of how a church team grew into an English giant.

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Over and Out is the remarkable story of a neglected cricket hero. Albert Trott was good enough to play for Australia and England, but at the height of his powers no Test team would pick him. He brought an Ashes series to life by taking 8-43 on debut and his batting average for Australia was 102.5. This was the man who cleared the Lord's pavilion with the biggest of hits. Over and Out celebrates his exploits on the field, which for far too long have been hidden by the taboo of suicide. It also addresses the mystery of Albert Trott, how he responded to the external forces that fashioned his life and ultimately why he did what he did. From fame to broke and broken, from Melbourne to Middlesex his story is compelling. While lesser men have found their place within the cricketing pantheon, it has been the fate of 'Dear Trotty' to be excluded, the permanent outsider. There is no portrait of Albert Trott in the Long Room in the Lord's pavilion. It is time for him to take up his rightful place in the history of the game.

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Since 1977 the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield has staged the snooker World Championship and in that time become one of the most beloved and iconic venues in sport. In this book the UK's leading snooker writer Hector Nunns makes his selection of the greatest matches ever played in the famous amphitheatre, featuring the heroes of the early years right through to the household names of the present day. With exclusive contributions from the players involved, and how they saw the build-up, the match itself, the agony of defeat and ecstasy of victory, and the experience of being involved in a memorable encounter on the sport's greatest stage, in what is always the biggest, best and final tournament of the season. Forty Years of the Crucible recalls how promoter Mike Watterson stumbled across the theatre with the help of his wife Carole and throws the spotlight on classic matches involving Ronnie O'Sullivan, Stephen Hendry, Jimmy White, the late and much-missed Alex Higgins and Paul Hunter, Cliff Thorburn, Terry Griffiths, Ken Doherty and of course the 1985 black-ball final between Dennis Taylor and Steve Davis.

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Journeymen tells a story that is often purposely ignored - that of the modern-day boxers who lose for a living. Far from huge purses and pay-per-view hype, the book lays bare the reality of the boxing business and the way it works in small-hall venues countrywide. October 2013 saw the 100th and final fight in the career of East London's Johnny Greaves, remarkable in that he won only four contests. He took fights at short notice, facing young prospects with the implicit understanding that he was not there to win. Journeymen features in-depth interviews with Greaves and other men who have similarly served the fight game, including Kristian Laight (180 defeats), Jason Nesbitt (178) and Daniel Thorpe (113). Though sometimes dark, their tales reveal humour, wisdom and sporting pride: the journeymen eschew glamour, make the best of what they have and face the world with a smile and a wink.

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Out of the Darkness reveals a grittier side of football. Former Leicester and Sunderland winger Matt Piper retired aged 24, after 16 knee operations, and his life soon spiralled out of control. His daily existence became dependent on alcohol and Valium, culminating in an ugly rock bottom. But after the darkness came light.

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At last, a chance for football fans of a certain vintage to sigh nostalgically over the muddy magnificence of some proper footy kits. Many fans still harbour an unfading love for their clubs' classic shirts, as sported by their childhood heroes. And - whisper it - even for some of their rivals' timelessly classy (and less well-considered) gear. The Golden Age of Kits stretches from the 1960s round-collared cotton shirts via the bold new designs of the 1970s - enter the Admiral logo, Umbro diamonds and Adidas stripes - and selectively on through the 1980s. Remember Hummel testcard kits? There were even some crackers in the early days of the Premier League. Featuring a heartwarming selection of kits with great stories and memories attached - from design classics and big-match strips to striking curiosities and eye-boggling cock-ups - Shirt Tales & Shorts Stories will whisk you back to the lost world of football kits.

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Chelsea On This Day revisits all the most magical and memorable moments from the club's distinguished past, mixing in a maelstrom of quirky anecdotes and legendary characters to produce an irresistibly dippable Blues diary - with an entry for every day of the year. From the club's foundation in 1905, all thanks to an Aberdeen terrier, to their emergence as one of the Premier League's greatest successes, Chelsea's rollercoaster history takes in a period with star players but no opposition, colourful managers, celebrity fans and the club's sale for GBP1 - all crowned by victory in the UEFA Champions League. Pivotal historic events such as the club's first European win, Roman Abromovich's arrival and seven victorious FA Cup finals form a backdrop against which Stamford Bridge heroes - Roy Bentley, Dennis Wise and Ruud Gullit, Peter Osgood, John Terry and Willie Foulke - all loom larger than life.

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From the thousands of matches ever played by Manchester City, stretching from the early days of the 20th century to the new millennium and Premier League triumph, here are 50 of City's most glorious, epochal and thrilling games of all! Expertly presented in evocative historical context, and described incident-by-incident in atmospheric detail, Manchester City Greatest Games offers a terrace ticket back in time, taking in everything from the first game ever played at Maine Road in 1923 to the last in 2003, plus belters at the Etihad Stadium and Wembley classics. An irresistible cast list of club legends - Francis Lee and Billy Meredith, Bert Trautmann, Georgi Kinkladze and Ernie Brook - springs to life in a thrilling selection of last-day dramas, unforgettable derbies, relegation deciders, European nights and Cup crackers. In all, a journey through the highlights of City's history which is guaranteed to make any fan's heart swell with pride.

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Fifteen Fulham legends come together to tell the stories behind their favourite ever games for the club - enabling Cottagers fans of all ages to relive these magic moments through the eyes and emotions of the men who were there, playing their hearts out for the white shirt...John Mitchell and Les Strong recall 1975 FA Cup heroics, recounting stories of overturning Birmingham City in the semi-final before facing West Ham at Wembley as Second Division underdogs; George Cohen waxes lyrical about an eight-goal semi-final against Manchester United in 1958. Rodney McAree opts for the goal at Carlisle in 1997 that started Fulham's climb from the basement to the Premier League - while Simon Davies nominates the Europa League Final. Craven Cottage greats Steve Earle, Ray Lewington and Danny Murphy also turn in characteristic star performances, winding back the clock to relive treasured memories of the Match of Their Lives for Fulham.

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Twelve of Liverpool Football Club's biggest names reflect on their most memorable games during their careers with the club. Laurie Hughes, Ian St John, Ian Callaghan, Tommy Smith, Phil Neal, Alan Kennedy, Mark Lawrenson, Jan Molby, John Barnes, Mark Wright, Gary McAllister and Jamie Carragher recall contributions to memorable triumphs, including league championships, domestic cup success - such as the 1986 all-Merseyside FA Cup Final - and three of the five European Cup wins - with Carragher recalling that night in Istanbul, when Liverpool completed one of the most remarkable comebacks of all time to beat AC Milan. With a foreword by Ronnie Moran, Match of My Life is an evocative and absorbing look back at some of the great moments in the history of the most successful English club side of all time.

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Celtic FC On This Day revisits all the most magical and memorable moments from the club's glorious past, mixing in a maelstrom of quirky anecdotes and legendary characters to produce an irresistibly dippable diary of Hoops history - with an entry for every day of the year. From humble yet proud origins, charitably assisting in feeding the poor of Glasgow's East End, the club is now a global institution with a worldwide following. Along the way, the green-and-white faithful have witnessed famous European exploits, record winning runs and attendances, countless triumphs on the Scottish scene and the one-off glories of all-British victories in 1902, 1938 and 1953 - all featured here. All-time greats including Jimmy Quinn, Patsy Gallacher and Jimmy McGrory, Billy McNeill, Kenny Dalglish and Henrik Larsson loom larger than life, appearing alongside all-conquering Celtic heroes such as Willie Maley, Jock Stein and Martin O'Neill.

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Coventry City Miscellany collects together all the vital information you never knew you needed to know about the Sky Blues. In these pages you will find irresistible anecdotes and the most mindblowing stats and facts. Heard the one about the substitute who scored on his debut after just 26 seconds? How about the FA Youth Cup winners who were signed by Kenny Dalglish? Or the media pundit who scored in six successive top-flight matches? Do you know what Des Bremner and Gilles de Bilde have in common with Steve Ogrizovic? Which was the last side to win a League game at Highfield Road? And who was the only Irishman who didn't know where Dublin was? All these stories and hundreds more appear in a brilliantly researched collection of trivia - essential for any Coventry City fan who holds the riches of the club's history close to their heart.

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Coventry City On This Day revisits all the most magical and memorable moments from the club's rollercoaster past, mixing in a maelstrom of quirky anecdotes and legendary characters to produce an irresistibly dippable Sky Blues diary - with an entry for every day of the year. From the club's formation on Monday 13th August 1883 through to the Premier League era, the City faithful have witnessed promotions and relegations, hard-fought derby matches, breathtaking Cup runs and triumphs - all featured here. Timeless greats such as Clarrie Bourton, Steve Ogrizovic and George Curtis, Tommy Hutchison, Gary McSheffrey and Dion Dublin all loom larger than life. Revisit 29th November 1961, the beginning of the club's revolution under Jimmy Hill. 3rd October 1970, when Willie Carr's backflick and Ernie Hunt's 'donkey kick' made history. Or Wednesday 13th May 1987, when the Sky Blues' Cup Final squad sang 'Go For It City!' live on Blue Peter.

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Derby County On This Day revisits all the most magical and memorable moments from the club's rollercoaster past, mixing in a maelstrom of quirky anecdotes and legendary characters to produce an irresistibly dippable Rams diary - with an entry for every day of the year. From the club's formation in 1884 through to the Premier League era, the black-and-white faithful have witnessed Football League and Cup triumphs, hard-fought derby matches, European adventures and heartbreak - all featured here. Timeless greats such as Dave Mackay, Jackie Stamps and Steve Bloomer, Kevin Hector, Stefanio Eranio and Charlie George all loom larger than life. Revisit 29 March 1975, when Roger Davies scored all five against Luton (and had two disallowed). 1 June 1967: the arrival of young boss Brian Clough from Hartlepools United. And 28 April 1996: when a Robin Van der Laan goal pipped visitors Palace to automatic promotion to the Premier League.

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Spurs On This Day revisits all the most magical and memorable moments from the club's glorious past, mixing in a maelstrom of quirky anecdotes and legendary characters to produce an irresistibly dippable diary of the club's history - with an entry for every day of the year. From their Victorian roots as Hotspur FC up to the Premier League era, Spurs fans have witnessed a unique FA Cup victory as a non-League side, League and Cup triumphs, hard-fought derbies and unforgettable European nights - all featured here. Timeless greats such as Glenn Hoddle and Danny Blanchflower, Dave Mackay, Jurgen Klinsmann and Bill Nicholson all loom larger than life. Revisit January 22, 2008 when Spurs beat Arsenal 5-1 in the Carling Cup semi-final. May 6, 1961 when Spurs became the 20th century's first Double winners. And July 13 2001, when Steffen Freund scored against Stevenage, his first and only Tottenham goal!

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Darts Miscellany collects together all the vital information you never knew you needed to know about the game of arrows. In these pages you will find irresistible anecdotes and the most mindblowing stats and facts. Heard the one about 'The Viking's' "pre-match nutrition" consisting of "25 bottles of Holsten Pils and six steak 'n' kidney pies"? How about the darter who wore sequins and carried a candelabra? Or the forgotten legend 'The Martial Dartist'? Do you know which player was fictionalised in a novel as 'Keith Talent'? Which superstar crooner was once a local Darts Association president? Or which darts legend (who contributed the foreword here) had a degree in history from Cambridge University? All these stories and (at least) one hundred and eight-eee more appear in a brilliantly researched collection of trivia - essential for any darts fan who holds the riches of the sport's history close to their heart.

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Blackpool FC Miscellany collects together all the vital information you never knew you needed to know about the Seasiders. In these pages you will find irresistible anecdotes and the most mindblowing stats and facts. Heard the one about the goalie who sported glasses and a blue-and-white bandana? How about the fans in masks and fancy dress, known as the Atomic Boys? Or the first ever live televised League match, watched by 2.3 million viewers? Do you know which Premier League-era favourite was sent off on his debut? Which 1970s disco divas sung the official club song? Or who became the first player to play for Blackpool in all four divisions? All these stories and hundreds more appear in a brilliantly researched collection of trivia - essential for any Seasiders fan who holds the riches of the club's history close to their heart.

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"You do well to love cricket," said Lord Harris, "for it is more free from anything sordid, anything dishonourable, than any game in the world." Harris, who captained the first England team to do battle with the Australians in this country, obviously never got his hands on a copy of The Worst of Cricket. If that volume failed to totally convince you that the sport is designed to disturb, dismay and disgruntle in equal measure, then maybe it was because it only scratched the surface. Subtitled 'More Malice and Misfortune in the World's Cruellest Game', The Worst of Cricket 2 completes the job, taking up where its predecessor, one of the best-selling titles in Pitch's popular 'Worst of Sport' series, left off. The book takes another humorous look at the whole catalogue of malevolence, misadventure and madness associated with the sport - corruption, violence, drunkenness, incompetence - on and off the pitch!

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Wolves On This Day revisits all the most magical and memorable moments from the club's rollercoaster past, mixing in a maelstrom of quirky anecdotes and legendary characters to produce an irresistibly dippable gold-and-black diary - with an entry for every day of the year. From founder members of the Football League through to the Premier League era, the Wolves faithful have witnessed title triumphs in every division from One to Four, promotions and relegations, breathtaking Cup runs and European nights - all featured here. Timeless greats such as John Richards, Mike Bailey and Steve Bull, Billy Wright, Andy Thompson and Ron Flowers all loom larger than life. Revisit 25th March 1893, when Wolves won the FA Cup before an overflowing crowd in Manchester. 17th May 1972: the UEFA Cup final decider against Spurs! Or 13th December 1954, when Wolves came back to beat Honved, helping to restore national pride into the bargain!

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Rangers FC Cult Heroes is devoted to 20 players who, over the years, have won a special place in the hearts of the Ibrox faithful - not necessarily the greatest footballers, but a unique brotherhood of mavericks and stalwarts, local lads and big signings. The cast list alone is enough to stir up the memories and tug at the heartstrings of any Gers fan - McMinn, Laudrup and Baxter, Johnston, McPhail and McCoist - recalling how these charismatic personalities used to ignite passion on the terraces. Find out which Light Blue icon Pele wished had hailed from Rio instead of Fife. Who warned young players against becoming 'the most underpaid of all public entertainers'. And which hero refused to play for Scotland on the day of Princess Diana's funeral. Discover and delight in the magical qualities of these 20 mere mortals elevated to cult status by the blue half of Glasgow.

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Edited by one of the Racing Post''s long-standing subeditors, the ever-popular Racing Post Guide to the Jumps 2024-25 is one of the key tools for every racing enthusiast and punter to look ahead to the upcoming National Hunt season.This 208-page book is illustrated in colour throughout with dozens of exciting action images from award-winning photographers. There are exclusive interviews with ten jumps trainers, in which they discuss their horses and hopes for the season, highlighting proven performers and those who are expected to shine this season.Renowned Racing Post experts including Paul Kealy, Robbie Wilders and Richard Birch discuss the horses they''ll be backing over the coming months, from those at the top level, through to handicappers and those who have yet to fulfil their potential, while ante-post aficionado Nick Watts finds the early value for the Cheltenham Festival championship contests.

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Over the course of nine memorable seasons Tiger Roll entered not just the record books with his achievements on the racecourse, but the hearts of the racing public too. He burst onto the scene in 2014 with victory in the Triumph Hurdle at the end of his first season and he built on that success with four further wins at the Cheltenham Festival. As great as his heroics at Cheltenham were, however, it was his two wins in the Grand National that set him apart. Success in the world s most famous steeplechase is a singular achievement in itself, but winning back-to-back runnings of the Aintree spectacular, emulating the legendary Red Rum, elevated Tiger Roll to a different level. He became a household name and his owners Gigginstown House Stud, trainer Gordon Elliott and principal jockeys Davy Russell and Keith Donoghue played leading roles in this story. We have mined the unparalleled back catalogue of the Racing Post with its award-winning writers and photographers to recount the complete story of this unique horse.

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The Definitive Guide to Betting on the All-Weather is a brand-new edition and the ultimate fans’ guide. Written by David Bellingham, an expert Racing Post journalist with over 25 years’ experience covering the All-Weather, it includes a wealth of his uniquely accumulated data and statistics to help find winners on these surfaces. It covers in detail the seven all-weather tracks in Britain and Ireland, with a chapter dedicated to each, a description of each track, together with statistics covering jockeys, trainers, sires and draw. It delves into the technical stuff, covering subjects such as form assessment, speed ratings, pace and track biases, sectional times and identifying whether the shape of the race will have a bearing on the likely outcome. It also includes a race diary covering a series of race meetings from the author’s point of view, as there is no better place to put all the theory into practice than at the racecourse where real money is changing hands. This is a must-have guide for bettors and fans of the sport.

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How much do you really know about the club you love? You can find out by exploring the 1,000 questions set out in 100 categories that make up this Liverpool quiz book. It s not often that books on football make reference to the Beatles, Napoleon, Roald Dahl, Moby Dick, 'The Big Bang Theory', Pete Townshend, Dylan Thomas and The Band, but this one does! Try these for size: add one letter to a Liverpool and England international from the 1960s and produce another Liverpool and England international from this century. Which Liverpool manager shares his name with a five-time Open golf champion? The first names of three 21st-century Liverpool players have won The Derby in 1972, the King George at Ascot in 2011 and the St. Leger in 2001, who are the three players? You will struggle to find anything as comprehensive as this eclectic collection. It s a must for Liverpool fans of all ages and you might not see anything quite like it again.

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How much do you really know about the club you love? You can find out by exploring the 1,000 questions set out in 100 categories that make up this West Ham quiz book. It s not often that books on football make reference to Inspector Morse, Dostoyevsky, Shredded Wheat, The Everly Brothers, Fawlty Towers, Catch-22 and EastEnders, but this one does! Try these for size: which West Ham United player in the 1980 FA Cup Final had already scored for another club in an earlier FA Cup Final? Which two players with West Ham United connections appeared in 43 games between them for Blackburn Rovers when they won the Premier League in 1994/95? And who is the only man to manage West Ham United in two different centuries? You will struggle to find anything as comprehensive as this eclectic collection. This quirky, challenging book is a must for West Ham fans of all ages, and you might not see anything quite like it again.

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Inside the Academy tells the stories of a talented set of footballers spanning a quarter-century, exploring childhood aspirations and what became of them. It lifts the lid on teenage training grounds and what it takes to even come close to being a Premier League player.From Bobby Moore to Declan Rice, West Ham United has a proud history of cultivating young talent. Yet their 2023 FA Youth Cup triumph came against a backdrop of complaints about congested pathways to first-team football and inflated pay packets quelling ambition. These concerns are not unique to West Ham; they are symptomatic of the modern game.This book offers an insight into what life as a young footballer is really like, via interviews with people who''ve lived and breathed the game over the past 25 years. It''s a must-read for anyone who wonders why child prodigies don''t always become professionals and what happens to those who don''t make it to the top.

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Joyrideis the empowering story of the inspirational, iconic former World Champion Trials Cyclist and pioneering paraplegic, Martyn Ashton. Beginning with his life-altering accident, it follows Martyn as he discovers the power in facing one of the worst things one can imagine and realising he can take it.Including conversations with legendary trials rider Danny MacAskill and others,Joyride explores Martyn''s ability to cope with previously unimaginable physical and mental health challenges.Martyn believes we all possess an inner strength that we can call upon when we need it most and shares his strategies for finding that strength. For a man who describes himself as ''unremarkable'', Martyn approaches each stage of rehabilitation with remarkable humility, humour and positivity.He blazes a trail as the first paraplegic to get back on two wheels, creates film content that attracts millions of views and is a motivation

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Football On This Day revisits the beautiful game’s most magical and memorable moments, mixing in a maelstrom of anecdotes and characters to produce an irresistibly dippable diary with an entry for every day of the year. Remember the time Eric Cantona went kung-fu fighting? Or when Kevin Keegan told us how much he would have loved it? From World Cup triumphs to narrow relegation escapes, we all have our favourite footballing memories. This book brings together the wonder goals, the heroes, the villains, the funny, the sad and the downright bizarre from every day of the year. Discover who invented the FA Cup, find out which non-league club claim to be the first world champions, or just look up what happened on your birthday. Written by long-suffering Southampton fan Rob Burnett and even longer-suffering Leeds fan Joe Mewis, the book covers those events that flesh out the beautiful game in handy day-by-day chunks that will give every footy fanatic their daily dose of football trivia.

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An Unusual Celebrity: The Many Cricketing Lives of Bill Bowes is the inspiring story of one of English cricket''s most popular personalities, who dedicated his life to the game from the 1920s to the 1980s.An often devastating bowler for Yorkshire in the 1930s, Bowes was a crucial part of one of the greatest ever county teams. He bowled Bradman first ball during the famous ''Bodyline'' series but was tainted for some by his regular use of the ''bumper''.Tall, unathletic, modest and playing in glasses, Bowes did not fit the mould of the typical opening bowler. Captured in North Africa in 1942, he spent three years in prisoner-of-war camps, and helped others through the ordeal. On release, he played for two more seasons before serving as a respected and forthright journalist for 25 years.A man of many talents, as part of the Yorkshire coaching staff, he nurtured Fred Trueman and Brian Close, but he was also a broadcaster and popular public speaker, wh

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From Azeem to Ashes charts the last, miserable days of Joe Root''s captaincy in early 2022 through to the T20 World Cup victory before the breathless Bazball Ashes finale at the Oval. It''s a book written for cricket lovers by a cricket lover, with voices from clubs, the boardroom and the commentary box.September 2020: cricket is in the headlines for the first time since the 2005 Ashes. But the focus is racism, not runs or wickets. Azeem Rafiq''s treatment has ignited fierce debate about prejudice and class.The book never ducks uncomfortable questions posed by the Rafiq affair. Why do England''s cricket teams - men''s and women''s - look so unlike the nation they represent? How can grassroots participation be developed and preserved? In the franchise-driven, global circus of modern cricket, what place is there for Tests - or even 50-over games?From Azeem to Ashes takes a hard-nosed but affectionate and humorous look at cricket. It''s a book

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The Cricketers of 1945 is the compelling, poignant, and above all human, story of the reawakening of English cricket in the immediate aftermath of the world''s most destructive war.The book brings to life the summer''s Victory Tests, played on home soil between England and Australia, as well as the personal stories of the players and their families, plus those of some of the hundreds of thousands of spectators who flocked to the matches to celebrate the return of something approaching normal life after the ordeal and sacrifice of the war years.This vivid account is illuminated by fresh archival research, encompassing the diaries and personal letters of both cricketers and cricket lovers, giving the reader a strong sense of what it was like to be alive at this unique time as much of the world awoke, or was still awakening, from the nightmare ordeal of the long years of conflict.

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Aberdeen''s Golden Era: The Sir Alex Ferguson Years is an in-depth look at the most successful period in Aberdeen FC history - a footballing success story like no other.From 1978 to 1986, under the management of Ferguson, the club not only dominated Scottish football, but two European titles in 1983 made them a household name throughout the continent. Ten major trophies in seven seasons brought unprecedented success to a club that had previously amassed half of that total from 75 years in existence.The arrival of a young, driven manager honed in the tough streets of Glasgow, allied with an up-and-coming Aberdeen side, was a recipe for success. The city of Aberdeen was just beginning to enjoy the affluence that came from a bustling oil industry. The club reflected that success in a way that had never been seen before or since.Aberdeen as a club had huge untapped potential, but it needed the right manager to take things forward. Alex Ferguson was

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Tinpot is the story of football''s lost tournaments: the strange and forgotten competitions that sparked into life before shuffling off their mortal coil. The book tells their stories, giving them the spotlight they deserve.It''s time for something different. It''s time to go somewhere new. It''s time to wander off the highways of football history and see where long-discarded paths lead.England''s major football tournaments seem to have been with us forever. The FA Cup stretches back over 150 years, while the Football League is the oldest competition of its kind in the world. They are the survivors - the bright ideas that quickly caught on. Yet, behind these successes lie countless failed experiments. But they still have their stories to tell.

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Kit and Community digs beneath the surface of inspirational and meaningful designs to reveal the incredible causes that use football shirts to spread their message.Starting with Stanno''s Shirt, we meet Gig and Roger, the parents of Exeter City legend Adam Stansfield, who was cut down by cancer at the heartbreaking age of 31. Gig and Roger share how their son''s shirts meant, and still mean, so much to them.Then there''s York City photographers Kieran Archer, Chris Payne and Tom Poole, who designed the club''s stunning centenary shirt, celebrating the city''s heritage of chocolate making, illustrated by outstanding images. The trio describe every step of the design process. Plus, in a joyously inspirational interview, Tania and Jayme from Football Shirts FC (for charity) discuss their mission to use shirts to support cancer charities close to their hearts.As these and other accounts in this innovative book show us - every shirt has a unique stor

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The faces on a wall' in this book are Northamptonshire's captains since 1878, whose portraits appear together in the pavilion at Wantage Road. An astonishingly diverse bunch, they represent the changing face of the county game over the past century and a half.As cricketers, they range from cheerfully hopeless to solidly competent, to world-beating. As characters they are an astoundingly varied group, encompassing a peer who went bankrupt, the husband of a famous artist's favourite model, an England football international, an outstanding bowler (but with woods and jack), a gallant leader who died on active service, the man who revitalised both Northamptonshire and England teams after the Second World War and the shrewd skipper described by Mike Selvey as the best county leader of his time.This book reflects the unique flavour of county cricket and the remarkable assortment of individuals who have led Northamptonshire over nearly a century and a half.

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Rise of the Underdogs: Football's New World Order is the ultimate guide to the changing landscape of modern football.As FIFA president Gianni Infantino declared, There are no more small teams and no more big teams.' This book goes in search of how and why these changes have come about from Croatia, a nation of just four million people, reaching the World Cup Final to Morocco writing African football history.Each chapter explores how football clubs and associations are breaking down barriers, with stories of icons such as Erling Haaland, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Mohamed Salah. There are first-hand accounts from those who helped them conquer the odds and reach unprecedented heights, as well as behind-the-scenes insights into why clubs and countries worldwide are breaking new ground.With exclusive views from coaches, players and other professionals worldwide, this is a far-reaching guide to football''s exciting new landscape.

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