The narrative follows the extraordinary journey of a soccer player who, through cunning and deception, secures a long career in the sport without ever stepping onto the field. This tale explores themes of ambition, fraud, and the lengths one might go to achieve success, highlighting the intersection of talent and trickery in the world of professional sports.
From the celebrated mock obituary following England's first-ever defeat by Australia on home soil in 1882, to the on-pitch insults (or 'sledges') of today, Ashes cricket has spawned nearly as many memorable quotes as it has balls bowled and runs scored. GENTLEMEN AND SLEDGERScharts the ebb and flow of Anglo-Australian cricketing fortunes across 131 years and 314 matches by telling the stories behind 100 memorable Ashes quotations. From fast bowler Jeff Thomson's classic 'I enjoy hitting a batsman more than getting him out. I like to see blood on the pitch' in 1975, to Michael Clark's notorious advice to Jimmy Anderson to 'get ready for a f****** broken arm' in 2013, the quotations embrace quips, insults, examples of the dark art of sledging – and even the occasional considered cricketing judgement. Evoking memorable moments and matches as well as highs and lows in the careers of Australia and England's greatest players, GENTLEMEN AND SLEDGERS is an informal, freewheeling, discursive and entertainingly opinionated history of the Ashes.
He's the most loveable of rogues with the most common of dreams: to become a professional footballer.In one of the most remarkable football stories ever told, Kaiser graduates from abandoned slumdog to star striker, dressing-room fixer, superstar party host and inexhaustible lover. He's not just the king... he's the Kaiser.
STRANGER. FRIEND. OR ENEMY? Who is it really hiding behind the screen? A gripping read that will stay with you long after the final page, perfect for fans of FRIEND REQUEST and HE SAID/SHE SAID.
Jumpers For Goalposts is a fascinating reflection on the history of football, which examines why the charm, innocence and good humour has disappeared from today's game, compared to the golden days of yesteryear.