Clive Woodward: The Biography by Alison Kervin

Clive Woodward: The Biography by Alison Kervin lands on the shelves of my shop.

Orion, 2005, Hardback in dust wrapper.

Illustrated by way of: Colour Photographs;

From the cover: Madman or genius? Clive Woodward rocked English rugby when he arrived at Twickenham in 1997 and set about transforming the sport. Heads rolled and millions were spent as the former England centre, with 21 caps and two Lions tours to his name, upset almost everyone he met. His demands were legendary and his confidence boundless. His lateral thinking hovered on the edge of madness inspired by the philosophies of a crazy Brisbane dentist and the macho sales environment of Rank Xerox in the 1980s. No one understood him and few outside Team England trusted him. But he didnt care. Confirmation of his methods came on a rainy night in Sydney in November 2003, when England won the World Cup.

A year later, having been knighted and celebrated across the country, he walked out of English rugby in disgust and began training as a football coach, with the ambition of running the national team. In between, he led the British and Irish Lions on their disastrous tour in the summer of 2005.

In this intimate and revealing portrait, the first comprehensive biography of the man, those closest to Woodward reveal what hes really like. Alison Kervin has talked to his family and childhood friends, those who have worked for him, guided him, coached him and played with him. Featuring interviews with leading psychologists, business associates and his closest friends, as well as players and coaches past and present, this is the study of a winner. It explains what he did, why he did it and how opinions on him changed so much after the World Cup and the Lions tour.

Very Good in Very Good Dust Wrapper.

Red boards with Gilt titling to the Spine. [X] 358 pages. Index. 9½” x 6¼”.

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

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!

XIII Worlds: Pursuing Rugby League Around the Globe by Edited by Dave Hadfield

XIII Worlds: Pursuing Rugby League Around the Globe by Edited by Dave Hadfield lands on the shelves of my shop.

Mainstream, 1996, Hardback in dust wrapper.

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

From the cover: XIII Worlds is a collection of writings based on travels in pursuit of the game of rugby league. Venturing off the field and on to the road, XIII Worlds journeys across several continents to reveal some of the more intimate moments of rugby from inebriated annual coach trips to France to extraordinary experiences in the mountains and forests of Papua New Guinea. Stops include such unlikely destinations as Venice and Moldova, and there are some bizarre adventures encountered en route.

Largely written from the tattered notebooks carried around the globe by its editor, Dave Hadfield, XIII Worlds also draws on the diverse travellers tales of the most respected writers on rugby several of them members of the cast that made its predecessor, XIII Winters, such a success.

Published in association with Open Rugby, the worlds best-selling rugby league monthly, XIII Worlds captures the rich flavours of the sport in the various settings in which its contributors have hunted it down.

Very Good in Very Good Dust Wrapper. A little rubbing to the edges of the dust wrapper.

Blue boards with Silver titling to the Spine. 190 pages. 9½” x 6¼”.

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