Running has been many things to Jenny Baker - a space to achieve new things, a way to keep fit and healthy, and a source of friendship and community. She had planned a year of running to celebrate her birthday; instead Jenny was hit with a bombshell which rocked her life when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. She had one question for her oncologist: can I keep running? It gave her a sense of identity through her chemotherapy, while her treatment was stripping away everything that was important to her. Run For Your Life is the story of how she kept running to help her beat cancer, and how it helped her get her life back on track after an intensive spell of treatment and a turbulent time in her life.
Born in Dublin but raised in London, Alan Dunne spent nearly a quarter of a century with what became his home-town club of Millwall - and after almost 400 senior games left as a legend. Joining the youth set-up at the age of eight, he rose through the ranks to eventually become a player who epitomised the club, as his wholehearted approach resonated with the fans at the Den. Dunne It the Hard Way is a frank and honest insight into his life with the Lions, from making the worst of first impressions on a manager, to the heartbreak of being told he was no longer wanted in 2015, and plenty of highs and lows in between - including a broken promise ahead of Millwall's only ever appearance in the FA Cup Final. He also explains why his dad told him to leave home to save his career; why he was left to pay a team-mate's dental bills; how he was caught posing with a naked model holding a plate of toast; how the penny finally dropped, before it was too late; how he turned around a career which almost hit the skids to become such a firm favourite of the crowd that he was nearly immortalised in statue form; and he tells the story behind each of his record number of red cards!
Follow Doug Richards' incredible running journey, from his first mile at the approach of middle age, via marathons at home and abroad, and on to wider and wilder horizons. How will a bus-pass-bearing pensioner fare running across the Sahara Desert and the polar ice-cap, confronting elephants in South Africa and tsunami devastation in Sri Lanka?
Close Encounters with the Gloves Off is a rollercoaster ride through boxing history in the words of the boxers themselves, as they recall their highs and lows, their greatest triumphs, the background stories and many shock revelations. Acclaimed boxing writer, author and historian Thomas Myler has interviewed every one of the pugilistic greats featured, during a career spent covering boxing; from the big names of the 'Roaring 20s' right through to boxing's modern era. Muhammad Ali, Jack Dempsey, Georges Carpentier, Joe Louis, Sugar Ray Robinson, Rocky Marciano, Joe Frazier, George Foreman and modern greats such as Mike Tyson, Sugar Ray Leonard, Evander Holyfield and Ken Buchanan all feature. Myler has spent a lifetime around boxing and boxers and was once described by George Kimball, prize-winning author of the acclaimed Four Kings, as 'One of the world's best boxing writers'. Close Encounters with the Gloves Off pulls together that life's work to take the reader on a wonderful boxing journey which spans almost an entire century.
66: The World Cup in Real Time retells the story of the iconic 1966 finals as if they were happening today. Fifty years on, newspaper-style reports of all the matches and the off-field news bring the tournament back to life for the reader. Rewind to 1966, relive the gripping, controversial and sometimes comical story of England's greatest triumph.
Burnley's league title victory of 1960 remains one of the most remarkable feats in the history of English football, the club the smallest ever to win its premier title. Despite spending far less than other champions and drawing more modest crowds, Burnley beat the likes of Manchester United, Spurs and Wolves by playing exciting, fluid, continental-style football that won many admirers. 'I wanted to applaud their artistry,' Jimmy Greaves commented. 'In an era when quite a few teams believed in the big boot, they were a league of gentlemen.' Former player Brian Miller described how grounded the team were at the time: 'Several of us worked at Bank Hall pit all day and then played First Division football. Spurs' players didn't do that.' Never Had It So Good reveals how Burnley's amazing title triumph was achieved - and how very different life was for a footballer in those bygone days.
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.
Imagine a world in which Scotland win the World Cup, Derby County are champions of Europe and 1966 isn't the only year that England win anything. This isn't some far-fetched dream but a reality that could have been, had events turned out a little differently. If Only takes you to this world and celebrates the teams that almost became immortal.
Dundee FC On This Day is a journey, in diary form, through the history of the famous Dark Blues. All the major events are covered in detail to give the reader a feel for the ups and downs experienced by The Dee since its formation in 1893. With individual entries for every day, the book includes all the club's big matches - from the joy of title wins and cup runs to the pain of relegations and administrations. Dundee FC has enjoyed a long, rich history and the book records the five major trophy wins, the runs to two European semi-finals, the Dee-Fiant season, the promotions, significant events, sensational signings and memorable derby wins over Dundee United. The Scottish League championship win in 1962 and the Scottish and League Cup victories are countered by the turmoil of relegations, missed promotions and the two administration periods which almost saw the Dens Park doors closed for good. Being a Dundee fan is a rollercoaster journey, and Dundee FC On This Day perfectly captures the thrill of the ride.
On 10 February 1981 Coventry City stood 29 minutes from Wembley in the League Cup semi-final second leg at West Ham United's Upton Park. Victories over Manchester United, Brighton and Hove Albion, Cambridge United and Watford had taken Gordon Milne's side to the first semi-final in the club's 97-year history. City's youngsters missed out on a trip to Wembley in the cruellest of circumstances after a fantastic first leg at Highfield Road in front of 36,000 fans. For the first time, the cast of 1981 are reunited to tell their stories. 29 Minutes From Wembley features exclusive interviews with players, management, supporters and opposition stars. Contemporary media reports appear alongside memories and retrospectives to recall a wonderful time in Sky Blue history, the team's age averaging just 21. By the summer of 1983 the majority had left the club; here, they tell their individual stories of their time at Coventry City, a club still close to their hearts after all these years. Just how good could that team have been?
Sweet Fighting Man is based on a collection of interviews with British boxers, from journeymen to champions. The book covers a timespan of over 50 years and features some classic personalities, such as Dave 'Boy' Green, the ever-popular British and European champion who fought for world titles against Carlos Palomino and Sugar Ray Leonard; Bunny Johnson, the first black British Heavyweight Champion, and Joe Somerville, the jovial journeyman who had literally thousands of fights in the lurid environment of the boxing booths. Boxers are fundamentally entertainers and each chapter in this book is an individual performance, giving the true flavour of the characters involved. Their thought-provoking reflections proffer a unique insight into the often rollercoaster life of a professional boxer. The interviewees also talk about many aspects of their lives away from the ring and, as they drop their guards and open their hearts, they deliver plenty of laugh-out-loud moments along the way.
This is the story of Burnley Football Club's remarkable recovery from the brink of oblivion, made without the help of ultra-rich benefactors. It concerns the fall and rise of a small-town club, once renowned for its advanced playing style, tactical and coaching innovations and flourishing youth policy. From Orient to the Emirates tells how this former leading club was brought to its knees during the mid-80s by adverse economic circumstances and imprudent management, how it narrowly escaped relegation to the Vauxhall Conference in 1987 - and with it probable liquidation - to once again become a force at the top of English football. The story is largely told in the words of those who took part in this incredible 30-year journey - the directors, managers, players, support staff and supporters. It is an uplifting account of success achieved very much against the odds, founded on indomitable spirit, canny planning and, above all, hard graft. As Burnley's brilliant manager, Sean Dyche, puts it: "e;Maximum effort is the minimum requirement."e;
A cast of more than 20 of Arsenal's biggest names join forces to take us behind the scenes of some of the greatest moments in Gunners history - enabling fans of all ages to relive their favourite games through the eyes and emotions of the men who were there, pulling on the famous red-and-white shirts.
True Professional tells the story of Clive Sullivan, who emerged from one of Cardiff's toughest neighbourhoods to become an icon of rugby league. Overcoming a major childhood injury and a car crash early in his career, he was a ruthless and thrilling presence on the wings of both Hull FC and Hull KR teams for over 20 years, scoring over 300 tries.The first-ever black Briton to captain a British sports team, Sullivan did so with great success, even lifting a World Cup and being awarded an MBE. He was loved by rugby league fans and revered following his untimely and tragic death. Yet the wider sporting public overlooked his achievements at the time and his name is rarely mentioned when discussing Britain's sporting greats. The book is a snapshot of the working class Northern towns that have long been the heartland of rugby league, and the communities that gave them their unique character. It is also a look at how Clive's career developed against the backdrop of a declining fishing industry, the lifeblood of the city of Hull.
Birmingham City On This Day revisits all the most magical and memorable moments from the club's history, mixing in a maelstrom of quirky anecdotes and legendary characters to produce an irresistibly dippable Blues diary. From winning the first ever Second Division title in 1893 to golden goals at Wembley, there's an entry for every day of the year.
No city in the world is more associated with boxing than New York. So take a ringside seat on the city's greatest ever fight nights. Join the roaring crowds at iconic venues including Madison Square Garden, the Yankee Stadium, the Polo Grounds and the Long Island Bowl - in the company of boxing historian Thomas Myler. Soak up the atmosphere and enjoy all the inside stories, including the riot following the Riddick Bowe-Andrew Golota farce, and the human buzzsaw that was Henry Armstrong against Barney Ross. James J Braddock shocked the boxing world to become boxing's 'Cinderella Man' by taming Max Baer, while Tommy Farr upset all predictions by staying 15 rounds with the feared Joe Louis. New York Fight Nights is a wide-ranging, exciting trip through boxing history which enables you to follow Floyd Patterson's historic battle with Ingmar Johansson, to witness Randolph Turpin's tragic downfall against Carl Bobo Olson - and the Harry Greb-Mickey Walker slugfest that continued outside on the sidewalk.
Million Dollar Crolla: Good Guys Can Win tells the unique story of the 'nicest man in boxing' and his remarkable path from prospect to has-been, from victim to world champion. Written off by many, an office job beckoned for Anthony Crolla before a devastating but defining fight put him back on track. After overcoming the demons of badly injuring a rival, Anthony's boxing dream was again shattered after a neighbourly deed left him seriously injured. Against all the odds, he fought back to win a world title in front in his home fans. Covering key moments in a bumpy ride, the book gives unique insight into the preparations for the biggest nights of his boxing career - a rematch with the exceptional Jorge Linares and the must-win domestic showdown with Ricky Burns. It's access all areas with insight to family life, media commitments and his passion for Manchester United. Crucially, the book details the punishing training schedule, alongside his fellow champions at Gallagher's Gym, which has helped him to the top. Includes contributions from some of the biggest names in sport.
'It's Only Banter' is the story of the footballer, Leroy Rosenior. He started his football career at Fulham and went on to enjoy a long and fruitful career, playing and scoring goals for - among others - Queens Park Rangers, West Ham and Bristol City. Rosenior also won international caps with Sierra Leone.
The son of a poor butcher, John Gully rose to the height of Victorian respectability, whose death in ripe old age was mourned by all classes from paupers to princes. It's the story of an extraordinarily varied life - a bare knuckle fighter and champion of England, a publican, a hugely successful gambler, bookmaker, racehorse and colliery owner, and finally a Member of Parliament. Set at a time when fortunes were won and lost on the turn of a dice, Gully saw the greed and corruption, the rogues and rascals. Remarkable sporting characters of the age feature, such as William Crockford, the Betting Shark; the chivalrous prize fighter Henry Pearce; the mighty Tom Cribb, bare knuckle champion of the world; and Colonel Mellish, prolific gambler and finest of the Corinthians. Enemies saw Gully as a cunning man, a schemer who corrupted the betting world. To others he was a man with impeccable judgement and integrity, to whom royalty would trust their fortunes. The Stakes Were High is the fascinating story of his life.
Fred Perry, three-time Wimbledon champion in the 1930s, was one of Britain's greatest sportsmen of the 20th century. His success on the hallowed Wimbledon turf went unmatched by a British man for a remarkable 77 years, until Andy Murray's triumph in 2013. Perry was the first player to hold all four Grand Slam titles, and he also played a pivotal role in Great Britain's domination of the Davis Cup in the mid-1930s. Despite his status as a global sports celebrity, Perry was criticised for his ruthless desire to win and was frequently at odds with the amateur tennis authorities of the day. In this revealing biography, award-winning historian Kevin Jefferys examines afresh the life and career of Britain's most successful tennis star. The author shows how good fortune as well as tremendous talent aided Perry's meteoric rise to the top; traces his frosty relationship with the British tennis establishment, which continued after he turned professional in 1936; and considers Perry's place among the true legends of the sport.
Described in atmospheric and evocative detail, here are 50 of Saints' most glorious, epochal and thrilling games of all! Southampton Greatest Games offers a terrace ticket back in time. From the Martin Chivers-inspired promotion to Division One in 1966 to reclaiming Premier League status thanks to back-to-back promotions in 2012.
British & Irish Lions On This Day revisits the most magical and memorable moments from the Lions' distinguished history, mixing in a maelstrom of anecdotes and characters to produce an irresistibly dippable diary. From tours, Tests and provincial matches to the exploits of the Lions players, there's an entry for every day of the year.
Former county cricketer and one-time England Test batsman Alan Butcher was looking for a new challenge after leaving his job coaching Surrey County Cricket Club. A phone call out of the blue from a Zimbabwean great alerted him to the possibility of coaching the nation's cricket team. His three years in charge presents an insight into the at times schizophrenic nature of cricket in this intriguing country. Starting at the point when Butcher was offered the job, he describes the process of moulding a team out of a dispirited and disillusioned group of players. Part cricket memoir, part travelogue, part ode to Zimbabwe, part lament for a beautiful-but-troubled country, The Good Murungu? is a fascinating insight into Zimbabwean cricket.
Football is about goals, great players and glory. But it's also about own goals, goats and the game gone wrong. Pulp Football looks at the comedy rather than the beauty of the world's favourite sport, the farce not the force: the incompetent coaches, the 30-yard thunderbolt that ends up in the wrong net, the players' Christmas parties that ended up in the courts. Find out how a murder was uncovered because Blackburn built a new stand, which manager was sacked after only ten minutes in a job, which mascot pulled the head off a rival and kicked it into the stands and which player scored all four goals in a 2-2 draw. Written by experienced Fleet Street scribe Nick Szczepanik, he has unearthed some cracking tales and stood up some of those so-called football myths. With sections devoted to owners, managers, goalkeepers, players, mascots, fans and of course, sex, drugs and rock n roll...Pulp Football is what it says it is: an amazing anthology of true football stories you simply couldn't make up!
Fifty Shades of White is Gary Edwards's fifth book; and he returns with more fabulous, rib-tickling tales that come with half a century of following one of the most talked about football clubs in the world. Like the time he was asked to accompany a four-and-a-half-foot tall monk with a large hearing aid, who hadn't previously left his abbey for 25 years, to a Leeds United game as part of a BBC documentary. Or the time he escaped from hospital, still in his hospital gown and attached to a catheter, a blood bag, several needles and with two tampons stuck up his nose to travel 70 miles up the A1 in a thunderstorm for a relatively meaningless Leeds game at Darlington. There is a fascinating, controversial and hilarious insight into Leeds United's former owner Ken Bates, gleaned from being a special guest at his birthday and Christmas parties for eight consecutive years. Fifty Shades of White gives a unique fan insight into the club and a life devoted to Leeds United.
Highs, Lows and Bakayokos tells the story of Everton in the 1990s; the successes and failures, the agony and the ecstasy, the good times and the Mike Walker times. It's the tale of how one of English football's greatest clubs lost its way and how the nature of being an Evertonian changed forever.
Hearts 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 irresistible Jambos diary. From romantic origins in Edinburgh's Old Town to near financial ruin and ultimate redemption, there's an entry for every day of the year.
The 1960s heralded a golden age of players who wore the dark blue of Scotland. Law, Gilzean, Baxter, Greig and Johnstone are just some of the names still familiar to supporters today. Bookended by heavy defeats against the Auld Enemy, the decade witnessed just one other defeat in the annual fixture against England and contained both the most-celebrated and horrific of Wembley encounters. The '60s also included a brief spell with Jock Stein as manager and the only Scotland international to date to be decided in extra time. Valiant but ultimately failed World Cup campaigns included memorable matches against Italy, West Germany and Czechoslovakia; an embarrassing loss to the amateurs of Norway was offset by a six-goal spree in Spain a matter of days later. Set against the backdrop of the Swinging Sixties, Scotland in the 60s looks at each of the 64 matches played by the national side during the period and the consequences of those results. Extensive newspaper and video archive research is complemented by the memories of the players who took part and the reminiscences of supporters and journalists who were there.
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