Biting Back: The Mike Gregory Story by Mike Gregory with Erica Gregory, Steve Manning & Dave Hadfield

Biting Back: The Mike Gregory Story by Mike Gregory with Erica Gregory, Steve Manning & Dave Hadfield lands on the shelves of my shop.

Vertical Editions, 2006, Hardback in dust wrapper.

Illustrated by way of: Colour Photographs;

From the cover: A true Rugby League hero, Mike Gregorys deeds of bravery, courage and valour, despite injuries on the playing fields of Great Britain, Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and France gave him the ultimate honour of any sportsman, to captain both club and country.

Playing for Great Britain, Warrington, Salford, Cronulla and Wigan St Patricks, never giving less than 100%, he is respected worldwide by his peers and fans alike for never taking a backward step.

At the end of his superb playing career Mike took the same ethos into coaching and following initial setbacks, he landed his dream job in charge of his home town club Wigan. Battling against a devastating illness resulting from an insect bite whilst undertaking international coaching duties in 2003, he guided the Wigan team to the Challenge Cup Final in 2004 before temporarily standing down to commence treatment in the USA. But on his return found he had to fight with the club to resume his work.

Mike lost that battle for reinstatement but in a high profile legal case, gained recompense from the Wigan club. His path now, proving his doubters wrong and winning this final match against his illness with his loving wife, two young sons and supporters all behind him.

Introduction by: Joe Lydon

Very Good in Very Good Dust Wrapper. A little rubbing to the edges of the dust wrapper. Text complete, clean and tight.

Black boards with Gilt titling to the Spine. 287 pages. 9½” x 6¼”.

Of course, if you don’t like this one there are plenty more available here!

Four More Weeks: Diary of a Stand-In captain by Mark Ramprakash

Four More Weeks: Diary of a Stand-In captain by Mark Ramprakash lands on the shelves of my shop.

Vision Sports, 2005, Hardback in dust wrapper.

Illustrated by way of: Black & White Photographs; Colour Photographs;

From the cover: Four More Weeks is Mark Ramprakashs gripping diary of Surreys traumatic 2005 cricket season.

Handing over the captaincy of the team at the start of the season, injured Surrey skipper Mark Butcher tells Ramps he is four more weeks away from his comeback. It turns out to be five long months, during which Surreys place amongst the elite of the game comes under threat.

Lifting the lid on the ball tampering saga that rocks the famous club and the simmering unrest that threatens to boil over in the dressing room during his stint at the helm, beyond that Four More Weeks is a candid, thoughtful and at times humorous insight into life as a county cricket captain.

From the dressing room characters like The Human Headband and The Himbo to the spats with umpires, opponents and team-mates and the long, long days in the field captaining a team in trouble, Four More Weeks takes you into the Surrey dressing room and inside the mind of one of crickets most gifted and compelling players.

Very Good in Very Good Dust Wrapper.

Black boards with Silver titling to the Spine. 257 pages. 9½” x 6¼”.

Of course, if you don’t like this one there are plenty more available here!