Sports Books

Mourinho: The True Story Author: Joel Neto ISBN: 1904439535 Price: £5.99 No. Pages: 160 Illustrations: 0 Page size: 197x128mm Binding: Softback. Description: Jose Mourinho, manager of all-conquering Chelsea, isn't used to losing. But his battle to ban publication of Joel Neto's fascinating biography ended in defeat in the Portuguese High Court. Subsequently, Neto's book became an instant bestseller in Mourinho's native Portugal, and it is now available in the English language for the first time. In April this year, Mourinho went to court again in Portugal to try to have the book banned. Once again, he met with defeat. Mourinho: The True Story gives you the inside track on the development of one of the most controversial and successful figures in world football, and includes much background material that was deliberately left out of Mourinho's 'official' bioghraphy published last year. Neto's painstaking research enraged Mourinho, who gew up amid extreme wealth as the protege of one of Portugal's richest businessmen. It tells the story of his failed attempts to become a footballer and his humiliation at the hands of Rio Ave club president, who barred him from the first team just ten minutes before he was due to make his debut. Mourinho: The True Story also looks at the private side of the man, including the tragic death of his sister, Teresa, in 1997, and his close friendship with his cousin Joao, a gay activist and former drag queen. Fast Work - The Rise And Rise Of Steve Harmison Author: Tony Lawrence ISBN: 1904439438 Price: £8.99 No. Pages: 256 Illustrations: 40 colour photographs Page size: 233x153mm Binding: Softback. Description: The Oval, September 2003... and the England cricket team is looking down the barrel of a disappointing Test series defeat at the hands of South Africa. Then Steve Harmison, the giant Geordie fast bowler who had offered promise and exasperation in equal measure, finally began to deliver. His ferocious spell of bowling in the second innings took England to a thrilling and unlikely victory and began Harmison1s remarkable rise to the pinnacle of world cricket. Successive Test series against Bangladesh, the West Indies and New Zealand have brought Harmison an amazing haul of 61 wickets in 2004 and propelled him to the top of the world rankings. Now the world1s Number One bowler, Harmison is the man the Australians fear most as they bid to retain the Ashes in England in 2005. Fast Work tells the story of this meteoric rise through the eyes of the men who know Harmison best, including his England colleagues and coaches. Author Tony Lawrence also gets the Australian view of the man who will spearhead England1s challenge for the Ashes. Third Man To Fatty's Leg: An Autobiography Author: Steve James ISBN: 1904439414 Price: £6.99 No. Pages: 288 Illustrations: 0 Page size: 128x197mm Binding: Softback. Description: Former England batsman Steve James autobiography Third Man To Fatty's Leg was simply the most acclaimed cricket book of 2004. This is what Mike Atherton, writing in The Sunday Telegraph, had to say about it:"The writing is sharp, often funny, and the account of his 19 years at Glamorgan, and two Tests with England, is told in wonderful detail and with refreshing honesty. What shines from the pages is that rarest of things, self knowledge… it is perceptive and enjoyable." In a dazzling careeer cut short by injury, Steve James smashed Glamorgan records on his way to earning that coveted Test spot. His autobiography records the highs, but this thoughtful, intense book is also an unfailingly honest account of the days when self-doubt was his most formidable opponent. Chosen as sports book of the week by The Independent and serialised in The Guardian, Third Man To Fatty's Leg was written without the aid of a ghostwriter and has been nominated for The Cricket Society's book of the year award.

Tennis Skills: A Complete Guide To Tactics And Training Author: Anne Pankhurst ISBN: 1904439470 Price: £2.50 No. Pages: 32 Illustrations: 60 colour photographs/illustrations Page size: 208x140mm Binding: Softback. Description: Backed by the Lawn Tennis Association and written by the LTA's Coach Education Director, Anne Pankhurst, Tennis: A Complete Guide To Tactics And Training is a high-quality coaching manual for boys and girls at a pocket-money price. Brilliantly illustrated with photographs and diagrams, it shows budding young players how to develop every aspect of their game and mature into the next Tim Henman. It contains tips from top players, together with 'how to' photographs of young players practising, and line-drawings to show training drills.

Third Man To Fatty's Leg: An Autobiography Author: Steve James ISBN: 1904439152 Price: £16.99 No. Pages: 266 Illustrations: 60 colour photographs Page size: 234x152mm Binding: Hardback

Description: Former Glamorgan skipper and England cricketer Steve James broke records for fun as he turned himself into one of the most prolific run scorers of the modern era before a debilitating knee injury cruelly ended his career in 2004. But cricket's loss is journalism's gain as James has emerged as a writer with even more grace and style than he brought to the crease. The result is a remarkable autobiography, a unique and compellingly honest account of the life of a professional cricketer so real that you can almost smell the linament. Steve shares with readers his most private thoughts at crucial stages of his career. He reveals the problems he had to overcome to press his claims as an England player and the inner demons which threatened to blight his - and Glamorgan's - finest hour. He talks of his colleagues past and present, opponents, and men such as former England captain Mike Atherton and England coach Duncan Fletcher, who have played a major part in his story. He and Atherton struck up a close friendship as opening parters at Cambridge University. Eventually they were to open together for England, too, and now they are side by side once more as columnists on the sports pages of The Sunday Telegraph. Revealing, frank and funny, Third Man To  Fatty's Leg promises to be one of the best cricket books of all time.

8 Days A Week Author: Jonathan Agnew ISBN: 1904439373 Price: £6.99 No. Pages: 256 Illustrations: 0 Page size: 128x197mm Binding: Softback

Description: In 1988 cricketer Jonathan Agnew was at the crossroads... on the verge of forcing his way into the England team, yet on the point of quitting all together to become a broadcaster. The result was a masterly diary, 8 Days A Week, which drew rave reviews from journalists and is arguably the best cricket book of its kind yet published. Now available for the first time in softback, the book is a fitting opening title in First Stone Publishing's new series, SPORTING CLASSICS, which brings back into print a selection of the finest sports books published in the past 20 years. This is what the critics had to say about 8 Days A Week:"Witty, sensitive, angry and constantly readable." Martin Johnson, The Independent."Irreverently witty and incisive." Alan Lee, The Times. "Candour, humour and eye for anecdotal detail make Agnew's book fascinating." Colin Bateman, Daily Express."A minor miracle, combining objectivity, humour and understanding of the game." Jack Bannister, Channel Four."Moving, mirthful, realistic, intimate." David Frith, Wisden Monthly."Witty and sensitive... a real insight." Christopher Martin-Jenkins.

Charlie Lister On Greyhounds Author: Julia Barnes ISBN: 1904439241 Price: £19.95 No. Pages: 208 Illustrations: 150 colour photographs Page size: 234x152mm Binding: Hardback

Description: When it comes to describing sporting icons, the word 'legend' is seriously overused. But in the case of Greyhound-training phenomenon Charlie Lister, it hardly does him justice. Lister is simply the most successful trainer of his and any other era, with an amazing record of big-race sucesses from the handful of dogs he handles at his Nottinghamshire base. And, like a good wine, he gets better with age. Now in his 60s, he won the 2003 British Trainer Championship by a country mile, in the process winning the Greyhound Derby - the richest and most sought-after prize of all - for the fourth time in seven years. In Charlie Lister on Greyhounds author Julia Barnes offers far more than a celebration of Lister's unique achievements. She provides a candid portrait of the man and the methods that have taken him to the top. Charlie Lister on Greyhound, is the new 'bible' for British Greyhound trainers and fans.

Soccer Skills: Attacking Author: Paul Fairclough ISBN: 1904439128 Price: £2.50 No. Pages: 32 Illustrations: 60 colour photographs/illustrations Page size: 208x140mm Binding: Softback

Description: The Soccer Skills series is a brilliant collection of high-quality, low-priced books designed to help boys and girls improve their football. Written by fully qualified FA coach, Paul Fairclough, who is also a trained teacher, the series is aimed at eight- to twelve-year-olds. Soccer Skills: Attacking outlines all the attributes a young player needs to develop into the next Wayne Rooney, through a series of specially designed drills and training exercises. Every aspect of attacking play is covered, including heading the ball, shooting, running with the ball, crossing, shielding the ball, developing tricks, and tactics. The book is illustrated with top-quality action photographs of leading Premiership and international players, together with 'how to' photographs of young players practising, and line-drawings to show training drills.

Soccer Skills: Defending Author: Paul Fairclough ISBN: 1904439136 Price: £2.50 No. Pages: 32 Illustrations: 60 colour photographs/illustrations Page size: 208x140mm Binding: Softback

Description: The Soccer Skills series is a brilliant collection of high-quality, low-priced books designed to help boys and girls improve their football. Written by fully qualified FA coach, Paul Fairclough, who is also a trained teacher, the series is aimed at eight- to twelve-year-olds. Soccer Skills: Defending outlines all the attributes a young player needs to develop into the next Sol Campbell or Rio Ferdinand, through a series of specially designed drills and training exercises. Every aspect of defending play is covered, including tackling, heading the ball, control, passing, covering, counter-attacking, and tactics. The book is illustrated with top-quality action photographs of leading Premiership and international players, together with 'how to' photographs of young players practising, and line-drawings to show training drills.

Soccer Skills: Goalkeeping Author: Paul Fairclough ISBN: 1904439144 Price: £2.50 No. Pages: 32 Illustrations: 60 colour photographs/illustrations Page size: 208x140mm Binding: Softback

Description: The Soccer Skills series is a brilliant collection of high-quality, low-priced books designed to help boys and girls improve their football. Written by fully qualified FA coach, Paul Fairclough, who is also a trained teacher, the series is aimed at eight- to twelve-year-olds. Soccer Skills: Goalkeeping outlines all the attributes a young player needs to develop into the next David Seaman, through a series of specially designed drills and training exercises. Every aspect of goalkeeping is covered, including basic stance, handling the ball, narrowing the angle, shot stopping, clearing the ball, setting up attacks, and tactics. The book is illustrated with top-quality action photographs of leading Premiership and international players, together with 'how to' photographs of young players practising and line-drawings to show training drills.

Behind The Green Door (Anatomy Of A Football Club)  Author: Brendon Owen ISBN: 1904439233 Price: £9.99 No. Pages: 256 Illustrations: 50 colour photographs Page size: 215x135mm Binding: Softback

Description: 2003 was the year in which Yeovil Town football club finally made it to the Nationwide Football League...and author Brendon Owen became a cult hero to thousands of fans of the grass-roots professional game through his brilliant diary Yeovil 'Til I Die! In their first League season, Yeovil strove towards promotion to Division Two, and Owen was at it again, taking his special blend of wit, perception and passion into every corner of Huish Park. In writing Behind The Green Door, Owen was given the run of Yeovil Town football club, from dressing room to board room, from training sessions to travelling with the players. The result is a remarkable insight into how a football works; the chemistry that binds the players together and unites them with their fans. The author made a number of radio broadcasts after the publication of Yeovil 'Til I Die, including Five Live's Saturday morning football show. This is what FourFourTwo magazine said about the book: 'Owen captures perfectly what it means to follow a non-league side - every shocking refereeing decision, every half-time cuppa and every windswept away terrace of a glorious season is recounted with humour. What Hornby did for Arsenal in the 1990s, Yeovil 'til I Die does for the non-league game in 2003' Behind The Green Door takes the reader one step further still...

Yeovil 'Til I Die! (A Ciderspace Odyssey)  Author: Brendon Owen ISBN: 1904439071 Price: £7.99 No. Pages: 176 Illustrations: 30 colour photographs Page size: 215x135mm Binding: Softback

Description: Forget the likes of Arsenal and Manchester United, there is only one team in Somerset... and 2003 is the year in which Yeovil town ceased to be Britain's most famous non-league club, and finally made it through to the Nationwide League. Yeovil 'Til I Die! is the story of a momentous season through the eyes of self-confessed fanatic Brendon Owen. It is a funny, perceptive and passionate account of the year in the life of a Conference club and its supporters, which does for the non-league game what Fever Pitch did for Arsenal. The author made a number of radio broadcasts after the publication of Yeovil 'Til I Die, including Five Live's Saturday morning football show. This is what FourFourTwo magazine said about the book: 'Owen captures perfectly what it means to follow a non-league side - every shocking refereeing decision, every half-time cuppa and every windswept away terrace of a glorious season is recounted with humour. What Hornby did for Arsenal in the 1990s, Yeovil 'til I Die does for the non-league game in 2003'

Life & Chimes (A Unique Account Of Pompey's Promotion Year) Author: Richard Holledge ISBN: 1904439012 Price: £7.99 No. Pages: 168 Illustrations: 30 colour photographs Page size: 215x135mm Binding: Softback

Description: When journalist Richard Holledge began writing a weekly column in The Times in August 2002, charting the season of his beloved Pompey FC, he was expecting the usual mixture of elation, disappointment, high drama and base comedy typical of the 40 years in which he has supported one of Britain's less fashionable football clubs. Instead, Portsmouth headed straight to the top of Division One... and stayed there. And, just as Portsmouth's performances have made the rest of the football world sit up and take notice, Richard's column, Life and Chimes, has attracted a cult following of soccer fans from all parts of the country. Witty, perceptive and completely original, Life and Chimes examines a year in the life of a football club and its supporters from a unique perspective. Like the team itself, Life and Chimes has enjoyed a heady journey round the grounds of Nationwide League Division One, taking in the like of a Las Vegas hotel and a Portsmouth knicker shop along the way. It is a voyage of discovery that all football fans, and especially those of Pompey, will enjoy.

The History Of Highgate Golf Club Author: John Chaumeton ISBN: 1903333164 Price: £20.00 No. Pages: 152 Illustrations: 100 colour and black-and-white photographs/illustrations Page size: 246x185mm Binding: Hardback

Description: What sets the History of Highgate Golf Club apart from other golf centenary histories is the extraordinary amount of detective work that had to go into its creation. During its 100 years, the Highgate Clubhouse had twice been burnt to the ground (in 1926 and 1962). In both cases, all the club records and trophies were destroyed. The author, John Chaumeton, a former president of the club, has worked painstakingly to uncover the significant events in the life of the club. The result is a fascinating insight into the nearest 18-hole golf course to the centre of London. In this lavishly produced hardback, the reader will learn the secrets of how this haven of peace and tranquility, surrounded by the most expensive homes in Britain, survived threats of development and learnt to live with a massive reservoir constructed in the middle of the course between the wars. Along the way, you will meet the fascinating characters, both living and dead, who have made Highgate the intriguing place it is today. The book is enhanced by the watercolours of brilliant illustrator and renowned naval camouflage artist Norman Wilkinson.