Snooker star Ronnie O’Sullivan and three-time winner Duncan Hamilton among those vying for £30,000 top prize; 13 different sports featured, including two fiction books; 100% growth for longlisted women authors, with six making the cut…
The longlist for the 35th William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award – the world’s most valuable literary sports-writing prize – features a diverse selection of sports, from squash and snooker to swimming and surfing.
The 18-book longlist for the 2023 award was selected from more than 150 entries following a rigorous judging process from a panel with expertise in both sports and literature including The Athletic‘s Nancy Froston, sports presenter Matt Williams and William Hill’s Neil Foggin.
Books making this year’s longlist celebrate a diverse world of sports literature, covering tales and insight from 13 different sports. From gripping memoirs to thrilling narratives and insightful analysis from some of the most compelling sporting stars, the longlisted books have one common thread: a profound passion for sports and sporting literature.
Six female authors make this year’s cut, doubling the number from previous years.
Three-time William Hill Sports Book of the Year winner Duncan Hamilton is in the running for this year’s Award, alongside arguably one of the greatest snooker players of all time, Ronnie O’Sullivan.
The William Hill Sports Book of the Year 2023 Longlist (alphabetical by author surname):
- 1923: The Mystery of Lot 212 and a Tour de France Obsession, by Ned Boulting
- Hope and Glory: Rugby League in Thatcher’s Britain, by Anthony Broxton
- Inshallah United: A Story of Faith and Football, by Nooruddean Choudry
- Unfair Play: The Battle for Women’s Sport, by Sharron Davies with Craig Lord
- Good for a Girl: My Life Running in a Man’s World, by Lauren Fleshman
- The Silence of the Stands: Finding the Joy in Football’s Lost Season, by Daniel Gray
- Answered Prayers: England and the 1966 World Cup, by Duncan Hamilton
- Tinseltown: Hollywood and the Beautiful Game – a Match Made in Wrexham, by Ian Herbert
- Althea: The Life of Tennis Champion Althea Gibson, by Sally H. Jacobs
- Nazaré: Life and Death with the Big Wave Surfers, by Matt Majendie
- Western Lane, by Chetna Maroo
- The Hard Parts: A Story of Courage and Triumph, by Oksana Masters
- Unbreakable, by Ronnie O’Sullivan
- Concussed: Sport’s Uncomfortable Truth, by Sam Peters
- On Days Like These: The Lost Memoir of a Goalkeeper, by Tim Rich
- Nowhere to Run: The Ridiculous Life of a Semi-Professional Football Club Chairman, by Jonathan Sayer
- Kick The Latch, by Kathryn Scanlan
- The Tour: The Story of the England Cricket Team Overseas 1877 – 2023, by Simon Wilde
Award panellist and renowned sports broadcaster, Matt Williams said: “This year’s longlist showcases the diversity of sports and the many ways in which they inspire, entertain, and unite communities.
“We received an unprecedented number of outstanding entries from talented authors this year, including a high volume of contributions from both female authors and international writers.
“Whittling these down was no small feat, resulting in a historic moment for the Awards as we reveal a list of 18 longlisted books, which encompasses fiction and non-fiction.
“These remarkable titles explore the depths of sportsmanship, triumphs and challenges across the sporting industry including sexism, and the devastating effects that head injuries have on sportspeople. All the longlisted books not only have a great story to tell but their writing captivates the reader and is the best in sporting literature.
“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed reading so many inspirational books from the most talented of authors and I’m excited to see which of the 18 books comes out on top.”
Now in its 35th year, the William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award is dedicated to rewarding excellence in sports-writing and provides authors and publishers a platform to showcase and promote their book. The first William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award took place in 1989, earning it the title of the longest-established competition in the industry.
The shortlist for the William Hill Sports Book of the Year 2023 Award will be unveiled on Thursday 26 October, with the winner declared on Thursday 30 November 2023 at an official award ceremony at BAFTA 195 Piccadilly, London.
The Award has a £30,000 cash prize for the winner and the shortlisted authors will each receive £3,000 and a leather-bound copy of their book.
For more information about the William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award, please visit the website.
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