Bøger udgivet af Pitch Publishing Ltd

Tommy Ball, a key member of Aston Villa's 1923 all-star team, is the only English professional footballer deemed by law to have been murdered. The circumstances and reasons surrounding his death have puzzled sport and legal historians for almost a century. This book may just hold the answers.

The Nine Waves is a tour de force. An entertaining and up-to-date history of Indian cricket, it tells the story of the nine great waves of the game from 1932 to the present day. Each wave in Indian cricket was chock-full of stars, thrilling moments, great victories, heart-breaking losses and significant turning points.

In 2018, the Belgian national football team finished third in the FIFA World Cup and reached number one in the FIFA/Coca-Cola Men's Rankings. With a squad boasting the likes of Eden Hazard, Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku they possess some of the world's best players. However, such success is more than a flash in the pan. This generation is just the latest wave of talent the nation has produced. The first book of its kind in English, Golden: Why Belgian Football is More Than One Generation is the definitive story of football in Belgium. It relives the sport's growth and the European glories of Belgian clubs, charting their untold triumphs against the biggest names. It dives into the recent production of world-class players in its academies, amid the murkiness of financial irregularities and match-fixing. It tells the tale of how a nation with a population of under 12 million has continued to make its mark on world football.

Dundee were the punch-drunk underdogs when they chased European Cup glory after winning the league in 1962. AC Milan, Benfica and Real Madrid were at the peak of their powers and Ipswich would represent England after winning the league under Alf Ramsey. Dundee were about to enter a new world of glamour. Expectations were so low that just ten Dundee fans put their names forward for a special flight to mark the club's first venture into the unknown. The Dark Blues were up for the fight though, and destroyed Cologne 8-1 in a blitzkrieg at Dens Park that left the German Embassy reeling. In the week they shared the same bill as boxing legends Sonny Liston and Sugar Ray Robinson, the British Army rescued Dundee from a mass riot with as many punches thrown in the return leg. As this remarkable Cinderella story unfolded, fans of city rivals Dundee United were soon hitch-hiking across the continent to watch Dundee as they came close to conquering Europe, before it all ended in brawls, bribes and broken dreams.

In January 1939, just months after hanging up his boots and a few weeks into his new career as a talent scout, William Ralph 'Dixie' Dean, the former Everton and England legend, received a surprise request for assistance from the far west of Ireland. Could he find a goalscorer for Sligo Rovers - the beating heart of a small, provincial town - to drive their dreams of a lucrative cup run and help protect the club's very existence? Dean set about finding the right man, but unable to locate candidates willing to make the move across the Irish Sea, he had an idea. What if he were to answer Sligo's call? And so began the unlikely story of how one of the greatest centre-forwards ever to grace the game added an unexpected and ultimately uplifting chapter to his storied football career. In the Shadow of Benbulben is a romantic tale of divine intervention, uncanny timing and drama on and off the pitch. It's the tale of 'Dixie' Dean's four months with the Bit O'Red that was to leave an indelible mark on the player, the club and the town.

India's first Test series win in England in 1971 was epic and magical, with a resonance far beyond the scorecards. The cricket was riveting, with twists and turns right up to the last ball, and the excitement was garnished by a baby elephant parading the outfield of The Oval on the final day. The victory had immense significance for a country that had gained independence from Britain less than 25 years earlier and was tottering on the brink of a history-defining war. In the background were the British illusions of moral and cultural superiority even as decolonisation went through its final phase. The Indians often accepted these illusions as they struggled for the most basic necessities of life, battling against poverty, malnutrition and illiteracy. Thus, the victory provided a major equaliser for the national psyche. Elephant in the Stadium examines the many reasons for the myth and magic that still surround the triumph, including the complex historical relationship between Britain and India.

In December 2020, an Israeli football club made worldwide headlines. The news that a UAE royal had bought 50 per cent of Beitar's shares shook Israel and the football world. Beitar, proclaimed by some of its own fans as 'the most racist club in the country', is a club like no other in Israel. While Israeli football as a whole is a space where Israelis of all ethnicities and foreigners can co-exist, Beitar won't even sign a Muslim player for fear of its own far-right supporters' group, La Familia. On the Border is the fascinating tale of a club that began as a sports movement of a liberal national Zionism party and became an overt symbol of right-wing views, Mizrahi identity and eventually hardcore racism and nationalism. The book explores the radicalisation of Beitar and the fight for the soul of the club between the racists and open-minded fans. It is also a story of Jerusalem, the most volatile place on Earth, and how the holy city and the influence of religion have shaped Beitar.

On 23 July 1993, under the rain of artillery fire, the city of Agdam was completely destroyed. Its football team, Qarabag, instantly became the embodiment of this obsolete city, and took on the role of keeping it alive for a population that had lost everything. Incredibly, they reached the Champions League group stage. This is their amazing story.

The Nearly Men tells the fascinating stories of some of the most revered international football teams of all time. Through the history of the World Cup there are many sides who thrilled us all with their elegance and style, or who revolutionised the game, only to fail when it mattered most. They are the teams that could, and in some cases perhaps should, have won the World Cup, yet remain memorable for what they did achieve as well as what they didn't. They all left a lasting legacy, be that of unfulfilled potential, crushed dreams or the artistry they produced that could have seen them prevail. Their exploits and accomplishments are frequently hailed more than those of the winners. The Nearly Men celebrates these teams: what made them great, what saw them fail, the legacy they left and why onlookers remember them so fondly. It is a tale of frustration and disappointment, but also of footballing beauty and lasting legacy, in homage to the kind of greatness that isn't defined by victory.

As Britain takes its first steps outside EU jurisdiction, how will football clubs adjust? With the FA keen on tournament success, the FA Youth Cup will play a key role in bringing academy products to prominence. Since 1952, it has showcased future stars including Sir Matt Busby's legendary 'Babes'. Over 40 years the trophy changed hands every season bar one, with the likes of Crystal Palace, Millwall, Leeds United and Manchester City lighting up the tournament with superstar teams. The current era has seen the dominance of elite sides, often owned by oligarchs or billionaire investors. From Kids to Champions tells the stories of players who didn't make it at the top level, or left the game disillusioned, along with those of the important coaches and academy directors. These men are always first to be thanked when the kids become champions.

The Life and Death of Andy Ducat tells the story of one of England's earliest sporting heroes. He played football for Woolwich Arsenal, Aston Villa and Fulham while representing Surrey CCC at cricket. Capped for England at football and cricket, Andy Ducat was famous. It is time for a new generation of sports fans to discover his story.

The A to Z of Sunday League Football is the ultimate guide to the grassroots game that has hundreds of thousands of people dragging themselves out of bed every Sunday morning. They don't get paid. They won't get famous. Sometimes, they won't even get a game. So, what makes Sunday League football the most popular pastime in the country?

We Made Them Angry is the story of Scotland's journey to and participation in the 1982 World Cup in Spain. The task for Jock Stein's men was to exorcise the demons of the disastrous campaign in Argentina in 1978. With the final squad containing some of the finest footballers playing on both sides of the border, Scotland looked in fine shape to do just that. But after a successful qualifying campaign, obstacles began to spring up. A ticketing disaster, a World Cup group draw fiasco, a threatened boycott of the tournament by the UK government due to the Falklands War, and of course there was no one better at beating Scotland than Scotland themselves. However, none of that would stop the Tartan Army from having a good time - not with Scotland stationed in the Costa del Sol. The group provided three pulsating games where the Scots faced minnows in New Zealand (who provided a shock), the world's most exciting and glamorous team in Brazil (who received a fright), and a dramatic but calamitous exit against the Soviet Union.

Ten Big Ears is an eyewitness account of FC Barcelona that describes matches held in six countries over four decades, including all five of the club's European Cup Final triumphs. Drawing on wider historical and cultural references to provide a quirky take on the rollercoaster that is Barca, this is a personal and occasionally satirical account.

Two Posts and a Field is a unique look at Liverpool FC. Richly illustrated with stunning photos, it is part travelogue, part exploration of the LFC Museum's hidden treasures and part personal story, as Neville Gabie takes us from his childhood listening to games on the radio in South Africa to watching his first match at Anfield.

Laker and Lock is the first dual biography of Surrey and England 'spin twins' Jim Laker and Tony Lock, who helped their county and Test teams to an unparalleled run of dominance in the 1950s. Besides their peerless achievements on the field, the two men had little in common. Laker, the elder by seven years, was Yorkshire born, cool, phlegmatic, known to sulk, and not greatly enamoured with the class distinctions then inherent in English cricket and society as a whole. Lock, a southerner, was dynamic, ebullient, indefatigable both on and off the field, and tended to wear his heart on his sleeve, an attitude no less at odds with the prevailing social order. Both men courted controversy. Laker's post-retirement autobiography caused such a furore that he was made unwelcome at Lord's and the Oval for years afterwards. Lock suffered the stigma of being labelled a 'chucker' and ultimately moved to Australia, where his retirement was clouded by allegations of sexual abuse. This is the full story of the pair's uneasy partnership.

Don Howe is one of English football's great coaches, with an unrivalled record at international and club level. As right-hand man to three England managers, he helped his country to the 1990 World Cup and Euro 96 semi-finals. He helped to steer them through the 1982 World Cup unbeaten and to the quarter-finals four years later. Howe masterminded the 1970/71 double at Arsenal, where two spells as coach also brought European and further FA Cup glory. He was also an integral part of one of the greatest Wembley upsets when he helped Wimbledon's 'Crazy Gang' to victory over the mighty Liverpool in 1988. As a player at West Bromwich Albion, Howe won 24 international caps, but as a manager he failed to achieve the success he craved. Yet over a three-decade period, he won acclaim from many of England's finest players as a genius of the coaching profession. Through interviews with players, colleagues, friends and family, this book examines the triumphs and challenges of Don Howe's career and assesses his contribution to English football.

Out of the Blue is the unlikely story of Chelsea's recovery from a season seemingly in terminal decline to winning the FA Cup and delivering improbable victories over Napoli, Benfica and Barcelona, before beating Bayern Munich in their own stadium to be crowned champions of Europe. It's a triumph that came out of the blue.

Newcastle United are a team that really should do better. They have a football-mad city all to themselves and fans as numerous and passionate as you will find anywhere. Yet their recent record is mediocre at best and poor at worst, with every fan painfully aware that 1955 was the last time they won a major English trophy. But it wasn't always like that. In the Magpies' glory days of well over 100 years ago, they were considered the best team in the world. They won the English league three times in five years, the English cup once and had several near misses, while supplying many players for the England and Scotland national teams. In this fascinating book, David Potter recreates the atmosphere of 'the Toon' in those distant days when men like McWilliam, Veitch, Higgins and Shepherd walked tall. Above all, that great era is a potent reminder to the current generation of Newcastle fans that 'it doesn't need to be like this'.

Dynamite and Davey: The Explosive Lives of The British Bulldogs is the triumphant but ultimately tragic story of Tom Billington and Davey Boy Smith. Cousins born just a couple of years apart in a small mining town near Wigan, Tom and Davey discovered the art of wrestling as schoolboys. Tom went on to become 'The Dynamite Kid', arguably the greatest and most pioneering wrestler in history, but his short temper and determination to reach the top of a sport dominated by naturally bigger men would be his undoing. The more reserved Davey became a global superstar, but followed his cousin not just into exceptionalism, but into heavy substance abuse as well. Ultimately, the extraordinarily dysfunctional world of pro wrestling would prove too much for the cousins from Golborne - one proud, one naive. Together they became the best and most influential tag team of their generation. But they could not escape their demons, and their triumphs eventually submitted to their tragedy. Dynamite and Davey is a gripping cautionary tale.

Dennis Mortimer became Aston Villa's most famous captain when he lifted the Lions' first League Championship trophy in 71 years in 1981, and achieved European glory the next year. In this tell-all autobiography, he reveals all the highs and lows of his decade at Villa and shares stories galore about the many characters he met through football.

The History of Horse Racing in 100 Objects is an ambitious work that condenses the heart and soul of the sport into a century of milestones that connect its ancient past and its vibrant present. Informative, inspirational and thought-provoking, this lavish evocation of racing's great history will appeal to dedicated fans and novice racegoers alike.

The Racing Post Puzzle Book is the first of its kind - a puzzle book for all fans of horseracing! Its mix of challenging puzzles has something for everyone. Categories include Fill In The Blanks, Where's The Logic? and Simple Sums. A total of 240 puzzles will test the reader's knowledge and powers of deduction and provide hours of entertainment.

Call Yourself a Fan? is the title of a new series of quiz books by Mart Matthews, designed to test the knowledge of fans of the major English league clubs. It is made up of 1,000 questions organised in 100 categories and seeks to be both amusing and tough. It's a must for Wolves fans of all ages and you might not see anything quite like it again.

Call Yourself a Fan? is the title of a new series of quiz books by Mart Matthews, designed to test the knowledge of fans of the major English league clubs. It is made up of 1,000 questions organised in 100 categories and seeks to be both amusing and tough. It's a must for Spurs fans of all ages and you might not see anything quite like it again.

Feeling Blue is a football fan's memoir like no other. Spanning more than 35 years and set across three continents, it is a true story that encompasses love, race and identity - all interweaved with the chaotic fall and rise of Manchester City. Dickie Denton was born into a 1960s Manchester home with many siblings, one of whom was adopted and of Asian parentage. As he grew up, Dickie faced the twin challenges of racist bullying and academic underachievement. Football was his refuge and Manchester City became his obsession - through boyhood, coming of age and adulthood. By middle age he had the trappings of a successful international business career but still craved the thing that he most desired and continued to elude him: success for Manchester City. His story dramatically climaxes in 2012, on a sultry May night in Singapore. Feeling Blue is not just for Man City fans, or even just football fans. It is a deeply personal story told with humour and honesty that will appeal to all and bring forth tears and laughter in equal measure.

Nii Lamptey was hailed as 'the next Pele' by Pele himself. But after spells with PSV Eindhoven, Aston Villa and Coventry City he failed to fulfil that prophecy. Instead, his career was blighted by injuries, domestic violence, bad agents and a turbulent personal life that pushed him to the brink of suicide. This is his authorised biography.

Football with Wings: The Tactical Concepts Behind the Red Bull Game Model is the story of the tactical evolution of a footballing idea that started in Austria and quickly spread to clubs across the globe. Find out just what is meant by 'the Red Bull way' with expert insight from acclaimed author and football analyst Lee Scott.