The perfect read for the football-mad kid in your life *WINNER of the Telegraph Children's Sports Book of the Year, 2020* Do you think you know everything there is to know about football? Have you heard of ... * The psychic octopus who could predict the winner? * The Lancashire Lasses who became the best kept secret of women's football? * The dog detective who saved the World Cup trophy? * The superstar footballer who never actually played football? Discover the most incredible, sometimes ridiculous, and always completely unbelievable football stories you never knew. From bestselling author Matt Oldfield, this is part of the Unbelievable Football series - showcasing true tales from the world's favourite game where there's everything to play for and anything can happen.
Celebrate the Euros with the perfect gift for young England football fans! Think you know everything about the Three Lions and the Lionesses? Have you heard of . . . - The naughty pitch-invading dog that stole the show at the 1962 World Cup? - The English amateurs who achieved Olympic Gold? - The spy who snuck into training? - The Lost Lionesses who made it big in Mexico? - The infamous World Cup handball that sealed England's fate? The beautiful game has always reigned supreme in England. These incredible and sometimes ridiculous stories may give you some idea of why. From penalty pain to unbelievable comebacks, discover some of the best true tales of our beloved national teams. Compiled by bestselling author Matt Oldfield, this is the third book in the award-winning Unbelievable Football series and the perfect gift for young football fans everywhere. Now includes the story of when the Lionesses came roaring back at the European Championships 2022.
This is the absolutely guaranteed 100% mostly true story of Terry Bradshaw: the man who gained sports immortality as the first quarterback to win four Super Bowls -- and the man who later became America's most popular sports broadcaster. IT'S ONLY A GAME "I had a real job once," begins a memoir as honest, unexpected, and downright hysterical as Bradshaw himself. From his humble beginnings in Shreveport, Louisiana, to his success as the centerpiece of the highest-rated football studio show in television history, Terry has always understood the importance of hard work. A veritable jack-of-all-trades, he has probably held more jobs than any other football Hall of Famer ever: pipeline worker, youth minister, professional singer, actor, television and radio talk show host, and now one of the nation's most popular speakers. But let's not forget one of the reasons why so many people know and love Terry Bradshaw: he won four Super Bowls! In It's Only A Game, Terry brings the reader right into the huddle and describes the game from the bottom of a two-ton pile to the top of the sports world. You'll sit right on the fifty-yard line and watch as Terry earns the title world's greatest benchwarmer. And you'll also hear about the single greatest play in pro football -- the Immaculate Reception -- as he never saw it. It's Only A Game is much more than a collection of Terry Bradshaw's favorite and funniest stories, it is the personal account of a great man's search for life before and after football...as only Terry could tell it.
The author, a computer science professor diagnosed with terminal cancer, explores his life, the lessons that he has learned, how he has worked to achieve his childhood dreams, and the effect of his diagnosis on him and his family.
INSTANT USA TODAY BESTSELLER! WITH A FOREWORD BY TOM BRADY “As a sportscaster and sports historian, Jim’s career genuinely stands the test of time. . . . This book is sports history about some of the greats by one of the greats, who was taking it all in on the sidelines, in the stands or the dugout, by the eighteenth green, courtside, or in the broadcast booth.” —Tom Brady, seven-time NFL Super Bowl champion GOAT A riveting, insightful memoir of never-before-told stories from Jim Gray, twelve-time Emmy Award-winner, Hall of Fame sports broadcaster, and renowned interviewer— that explores the author's career and the inside stories and memorable moments of the famous legends he has covered including, Muhammad Ali, Tom Brady, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Michael Jordan and Mike Tyson. In Talking to GOATs, award-winning broadcaster Jim Gray looks back at his four decades of sports reporting from the unparalleled perspective of one of the world’s most respected and skilled interviewers. A journalist who many iconic athletes have trusted to tell their stories (of both triumph and disgrace), Jim has had unprecedented access to the people, places and extraordinary events in the world of sports. Asking tough but fair questions, he has broken numerous stories, and landed squarely in the middle of others, from the Ben Johnson and Barry Bonds steroid scandals, to Michael Jordan’s surprise retirement, to the off-the-court Kobe/Shaq feud which led to their on-the-court break up, to being part of the live broadcast for twenty-two Super Bowls. He’s climbed into the ring to interview Mike Tyson after he bit off a chunk of Evander Holyfield’s ear, and stood next to Ron Artest when the “Malice at the Palace” melee erupted, and was on site at the bombing of the Atlanta Olympics. Anyone who has watched Jim effortlessly engage his subjects at the precise moment of triumph or tragedy has little idea what it takes to secure the interview, or what actually happens when the camera cuts away. These are real, mesmerizing, and previously untold stories. Talking to GOATs features numerous world-class athletes, including Muhammad Ali, Tom Brady, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Michael Jordan, Floyd Mayweather, Michael Phelps, Mike Tyson and Tiger Woods, and world leaders George W. Bush, Barack Obama, Mikhail Gorbachev, and many more. On each page, Jim gives the reader a coveted all-access pass as he reviews the best interviews, the best athletes, and the best games in modern sports history. It’s like a personal introduction to the characters and careers of these heroes and villains we’ve known since childhood. He examines how money, celebrity, the media, and power interact, and how sports, more than any other institution, has led to momentous transformations in American society.
The legendary creator of iconic television programs All in the Family, Sanford and Son, Maude, Good Times, The Jeffersons, and Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman, Norman Lear remade our television culture, while leading a life of unparalleled political, civic, and social involvement. Sharing the wealth of Lear's ninety years, this is a memoir as touching and remarkable as the life he has led.
WINNER OF THE EDGAR AWARD WINNER OF THE PETER LOVESEY FIRST CRIME NOVEL CONTEST Friday Night Lights gone dark with Southern Gothic; Eli Cranor delivers a powerful noir that will appeal to fans of Wiley Cash and Megan Abbott. In Denton, Arkansas, the fate of the high school football team rests on the shoulders of Billy Lowe, a volatile but talented running back. Billy comes from an extremely troubled home: a trailer park where he is terrorized by his mother’s abusive boyfriend. Billy takes out his anger on the field, but when his savagery crosses a line, he faces suspension. Without Billy Lowe, the Denton Pirates can kiss their playoff bid goodbye. But the head coach, Trent Powers, who just moved from California with his wife and two children for this job, has more than just his paycheck riding on Billy’s bad behavior. As a born-again Christian, Trent feels a divine calling to save Billy—save him from his circumstances, and save his soul. Then Billy’s abuser is found murdered in the Lowe family trailer, and all evidence points toward Billy. Now nothing can stop an explosive chain of violence that could tear the whole town apart on the eve of the playoffs.
"In over 30 years coaching soccer, Dan Woog has seen and done it all. He's taken teams around the world. Dealt with incredible life-and-death situations. Seen every type of player (and parent). Learned what makes teenagers tick. And learned a lot about himself along the way. We kick balls is "funny, warm, courageous and edifying." It ricochets from the World Cup to Dachau, from Pele's house to 9/11. Somehow, soccer connects them all."--P. [4] of cover.
In this fascinating collection of true stories taken from more than 100 years of soccer history, Andrew ward has gathered together the most extrordinary happenings ever to befall a soccer field. They include stories about the game spectators couldn't see: the game that lasted four days; the games between the strikers and the police in 1926 and between Eton College and the unemployed boys; the games of three halves; the game decided by a hypnotist; and the one in which the same player scored all four goals--two for each side. A delight for all soccer fans, this is also a unique look at the more curious moments of the beautiful sport.
Charlie Fry is football mad. He sleeps wearing his team's full kit and dreams of scoring the winning goal in the FA Cup final. He plays football around the clock - at the park, on the way to school, at lunchtimes and even in his bedroom until his mum tells him off. But Charlie has a problem: he can't run very far. He has plenty of skill but his poorly lungs stop him from sprinting. And as an 11-year-old boy planning to become the Golden Boot winner at the World Cup, that's an issue. Then one day a freak accident presents Charlie with a unique goal-scoring gift - it means he can't miss. But can Charlie convince his local team Hall Park to give him the chance and use his new skill to deadly effect? Or will the nasty bullies from his school keep him stuck on the sidelines? ** The Football Boy Wonder is the bestselling soccer story for children aged 7-11. It looks at themes such as bullying, friendship, loyalty and the wonderful world of football. Reviews of the Football Boy Wonder: "Highly recommended. An enjoyable and clever story with a few lovely twists along the way." Amazon review. "My little brother, who is crazy about soccer, would love this book and would never let it go. It is a great gift to get a brother, nephew, son or cousin for any occasion. They will definitely enjoy it." 5* review from Readers' Favourite website. "Fantastic journey of friendship and sporting achievements. Well written and easy to understand Charlie's journey and how CF impacts his life." Amazon review. If your kids like Messi, Ronaldo or Harry Kane, then they'll love Charlie Fry!
