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FOOTBALL, SHE WROTE is a first: a unique collection of 20 women’s voices on the game they love. RAISED A WARRIOR is the winner of the Vikki Orvice prize, an honest, human and cathartic story of how Susie Petruccelli, as player and mother, rediscovered herself and the love of a game that almost broke her. Together, they offer fascinating reads of women's experiences of football. Get them both in an exclusively discounted bundle. -
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From the doyenne of football writing Julie Welch’s brilliantly illuminating story of the first women’s international match after a 50-year ban to the madcap tale of two black radio rookies in China… From the trials of covering the soap opera that is Newcastle United to the glamour of establishing Real Madrid TV… From the making of the magnificent Emma Hayes to the equally amazing Mums United FC… FOOTBALL, SHE WROTE is a first: a unique collection of 20 women’s voices on the game they love. Penned by a hugely talented mix of experienced and new writers, and embracing memoirs, profiles, interviews and talking points taking in sexuality, diversity and inclusion, it is an anthology to make you think and feel, laugh and cry. -
When Seth Burkett answers a tweet calling for overseas players to join a professional Sri Lankan football team in a new tournament, he has no idea what awaits him. The team is Trinco Titans, owned by Sri Lankan cricketing legends Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara, and he will be spending the summer playing in the North Eastern Premier League.
Unfortunately, he is in the dark about the quality of football, the standard of pitches, the delicate local political tensions, even the dates of the fixtures…
Before long, he is fully immersed in the Titans family, experiencing everything the country has to offer him: new friendships, picture-postcard beaches, a relaxed approach to organisation and time-keeping, thousands of new Facebook followers, and a crash course in the Teardrop Isle’s recent troubled history.
There will be results to forget but it will be a summer to remember.
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A unique compact tote bag to celebrate the launch of Susie Petruccelli's wonderful Raised a Warrior. Available as a unique item or FREE together with the book (here). -
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When Ian Ridley’s wife, the trailblazing sports reporter Vikki Orvice, died of cancer at the age of 56, he found himself plunged deep into a sadness that he expected and a world of madness that he did not. In an attempt to make sense of it all and seek some solace from the brutality of his grief and anxiety, he embarks on a summer of watching county cricket. Reliving bitter-sweet memories in places he and Vikki had visited together, he is alternately unnerved and consoled by the ebbs and flows of his mourning. But gradually, against a backdrop of the County Championship’s peace and solitude – with the sun on his back and tea, cake and crossword at his side – he finds a way to survive the rhythms and cadences of his grief. The Breath of Sadness is an unflinching account of how we carry on when we are left behind, and a poignant, tender and candid exploration of love and loss. -
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Susie Petruccelli grew up in a sports-mad, male-dominated family in California, fighting to find her own identity and path. And she did. She won a place on the soccer programme at Harvard University and felt on top of the world – talented, strong, loved and worthy. Less than a year later, however, it had all slipped away. The Vikki Orvice prize-winning RAISED A WARRIOR is Susie’s honest, human and cathartic story of how she, as player and mother, rediscovered herself and the love of a game that almost broke her. Alongside, she examines the growth of the women’s game and the issues still confronting the sport as it fights for the equalities it deserves. BUY NOW TO RECEIVE AN EXCLUSIVE RAISED A WARRIOR TOTE BAG AS PART OF THE BOOK BUNDLE -
"One of the best books ever written about football and the emotion it generates." JIM LAWTON, The Independent. "John's book sits prominently on the study shelf of any self-respecting football correspondent, a permanent reminder that the game is about human beings, about emotions and about glory." HENRY WINTER. "I welcome [The Soccer Syndrome] back, envy those lovers of football and good writing who'll now meet it for the first time, and am among its embattled admirers who will read so many of its chapters again and again." BRIAN GLANVILLE -
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“A poignant and uplifting story” THE FOOTBALL PINK 4/5 Stars FOUR FOUR TWO MAGAZINE Longlisted for the 2016 William Hill Sports Book of the Year -
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“An enchanting story, well told. Surely the definitive novice’s guide to football in Brazil.” PATRICK BARCLAY, London Evening Standard “A remarkable, funny account that quickly drags the reader along for the ride.” THE DAILY RECORD “An incredible text that is one part adventure story, one part travel channel and one part sociology and culture. We have done hundreds of reviews over the years and this one still stands out. It is a story you won’t want to put down.” ISN SOCCER “Let’s cut to the chase and come back to dreams later – this book is worth buying. It is worth buying, reading, digesting and loaning out for someone else to read too. ” THE FOOTBALL PINK “A fresh, spontaneous, rites-of-passage memoir.” THE INDEPENDENT “The words on the front cover don’t even begin to tell the half of it.” SKY SPORTS “A captivating tale… A refreshing antidote to the cocksure strut of youngsters with an overbearing sense of entitlement on the home front.” THE DAILY MIRROR Sports book of the week, THE INDEPENDENT ON SUNDAY. Shortlisted for Football Book of the Year at the 2015 British Sports Book of the Year. -
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"Great boxer. Great man. Great story." JOE CALZAGHE, former undefeated World Super Middleweight Champion "Deeply insightful account of Barker's long, gruelling but ultimately uplifting struggle to win a world title in memory of his younger brother... Profoundly moving." JEFF POWELL - DAILY MAIL "Barker's story, seen through the prism of retirement, is a study of grief and redemption, inner strength and susceptibility to fate." MICHAEL CALVIN - INDEPENDENT ON SUNDAY Shortlisted in British Sports Book Awards, Outstanding Sports Writing category. -
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SOLD OUT - EBOOK STILL AVAILABLE THROUGH ALL GOOD RETAILERS "Mark Halsey has been one of our finest referees and has an inspirational story that goes beyond football." DAVID MOYES, Manchester United manager. "A top referee and a top man. Mark always brought a smile to a game and remembered that crowds had come to see the players." STEVEN GERRARD, Liverpool and England captain. "I admired Mark's courage and conviction that he would beat his cancer. He came back to give high-quality performances that won regular praise from managers and players. He did it his way and demonstrated great communication skills that were appreciated by many involved in our great game." KEITH HACKETT, former head of Premier League referees. LONGLISTED for Best Autobiography, British Sports Book Awards 2014 -
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"Intriguing and fascinating." SAM TORRANCE, former Ryder Cup captain and golf commentator "A fascinating new book... Thanks to the author's painstaking research, we have the definitive account of the extraordinary story of the Fuhrer's quest to have golf included in the Berlin Games of 1936." DEREK LAWRENSON, Daily Mail
