The first biography of Ray Illingworth for nearly 50 years explores a capacity for seeking out trouble with his blunt nature but winning over doubters…
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Category: Books and reviews
The guts of England’s glory: Duncan Hamilton’s ‘Answered Prayers’ re-examines 1966 World Cup
An insightful new book about the build-up to England's 1966 World Cup triumph and the horrors that haunted the players afterwards is reviewed by Eric …
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Britain’s first Black Olympic medal winner – but Harry Edward’s memoir nearly went unpublished
After being interned in a prisoner-of-war camp, Harry Edward won bronze medals for Britain in both the 100m and 200m at the 1920 Olympic Games in Antw…
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Offbeat stories from 1990 World Cup told with flair in ‘Echoes of an Italian Summer’
A new book revealing stories from the build-up to Italia '90 and the aftermath of the tournament is reviewed by Eric Brown...…
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A vignette of a vintage year – ‘1953: Life in Football Seventy Years Ago’ reviewed
Football's stellar names and iconic matches of a shabby, post-war Britain still hampered by rationing are recalled in a memory jogger of a book by Mar…
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From track to triumph: Lauren Fleshman’s ‘Good For A Girl’ wins Sports Book of the Year Award
Ex-professional runner Lauren Fleshman is crowned the William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award winner 2023, taking home a £30,000 cash prize; in th…
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‘Kicking On’ is a captivating study of the other side of the coin for those hanging up their boots
Eric Brown reviews a book tracing the lives of more than 200 retired footballers and reveals how employment opportunities exploded as media outlets mu…
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Alex Williams’ unique story proves he’s a British football hero as well as a Man City icon
As a black goalkeeper in the 1980s, Alex Williams endured shocking racist abuse from opposition fans but was much loved at Manchester City, spending 3…
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Autobiography is timely reminder of Mary Peters’ pride of place in British sporting history
51 years ago, Mary Peters became an Olympic champion at the Munich Games - her thrilling success on the track and her considerable achievements off it…
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Four women writers on shortlist of six for William Hill Sports Book of the Year prize
"This is arguably the most exciting shortlist in the history of the award," says chair of judges, Alyson Rudd; Sally H. Jacobs, Lauren Fleshman, Kathr…
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