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From Ronnie Radford to Wayne Rooney, John Motson's knowledge and passion for football are unrivalled. In Motty, he shares his story for the first time and guides us through a career which has spanned forty years and over 2,000 matches. From reporting on the exploits of the giant-killing Hereford team in the 1972 FA Cup that made his name on Match of the Day, to the estimated twenty-million viewers who tuned in to his commentary on England's match with Portugal at the 2006 World Cup, Motson's time in the commentary box has delivered some unforgettable anecdotes. In dozens of fascinating behind-the-scenes stories, we hear about the greatest football matches he has watched and the greatest players and managers he has been privileged to know. Many of them are football icons; Bill Shankly, Alex Ferguson, Brian Clough, Alf Ramsey, and Matt Busby, amongst countless others. Motty is essential reading for anyone who has grown up with the undisputed voice of football.
'He dribbles a lot and the opposition doesn't like it - you can see it all over their faces' - Ron Atkinson 'Rugby is a good occasion for keeping thirty bullies far from the city centre' - Oscar Wilde Whether over the moon or sick as a parrot, sportsmen and women can invariably be relied upon to come out with a humorous quote...even if it's not always intentional. The Bowler's Holding, The Batsman's Willey provides the definitive collection of sporting wit, from participants and observers alike. The book covers the full gamut of the sports spectrum and provides over 4,000 side-splittingly funny quotes - some examples of incisive sporting wit, others inadvertent howlers never to be forgotten; ranging from the cutting remarks of Brian Clough and Muhammad Ali to the studied observations of John Arlott and the hilarious gaffes of Murray Walker. The Bowler's Holding, The Batsman's Willey is an absolute must for any sports fan.
Guaranteed to make you smile, if not laugh out loud, here is a collection of quotes, quips and gaffes from footballers and football lovers the world over . . . "e;The tide is very much in our court now"e; Kevin Keegan. "e;I've told the players we need to win so that I can have the cash to buy some new ones"e; Chris Turner.
My parents have always been there for me, ever since I was about seven - David Beckham For Tony to admit he is an alcoholic took an awful lot of bottle - Ian Wright on Tony Adams I've been playing in a golf day for a boy seriously injured in a car accident. I had to drive like a lunatic to get here - Ray Houghton, TalkSport football pundit, on why he was late on-air Reporter: What would you be if you weren't a footballer? Peter Crouch: A virgin. I've never been so certain about anything in my life. I want to be a coach. Or a manager. I'm not sure which - Phil Neville Footballers may not be known for their profound insights, but it seems no one in the game is above a mixed metaphor or confused cliché. From Harry Redknapp to Martin O'Neill, Patrice Evra to Jason McAteer, see the funny side of the beautiful game with this hilarious collection of verbal own goals. Packed full of hilarious quotes, quips and misfires from the biggest names in football, Tell Him He's Pele is a must for everyone with a sense of humour.
The ultimate compendium of all the weird and wonderful facts of all things soccer related in the UK, from legendary British broadcaster Motson. Part of Sanctuary's imprint "Arcane--the home for our bestselling books of trivia, facts, lore and miscellany. Hit the UK non-fiction bestseller list its first week on sale (May, 2004).
Ever since Mrs Malaprop first took to the stage in 1775 and described a gentleman as 'the very pineapple of politeness', some famous figures have become better known for their slips of the tongue than for anything they said intentionally. In particular, the careers of a number of broadcasters, sporting figures and politicians have become defined by their verbal blunders. Former US Vice-President Dan Quayle is remembered solely for making unfortunate remarks such as 'Republicans understand the importance of bondage between a mother and child.' Welsh naturalist Iolo Williams sent Twitter into meltdown when, discussing diving sea birds on Springwatch 2016, he asked a female conservationist: 'Is...
Football isn't a matter of life and death,' Bill Shankly once famously said, 'it's much more important than that.' In The Heart of the Game, Jimmy Greaves looks back over his long association with the sport to give his take on all things football, and attempts to make sense of our undying passion for the beautiful game. How has the game changed from its working class roots to its current celebrity-driven image? How do managers like Sir Alf Ramsey compare to the Svens of today? Why have England stopped producing great goalkeepers? How come the football of yesteryear was more physical, yet the footballer of today is more injury-prone? Drawing on both his knowledge and love of the game, this is Jimmy at his fascinating, witty and humorous best.
This is the One is a fascinating insight into the mindset and winning temperament of the recently retired Sir Alex Ferguson, the most success manager in English football. When This Is The One was first published in 2007 it was hailed by Michael Crick as 'one of the all-time Manchester United classics' and featured by The Times in their quest to find the 'Best Ever 50 Sports Books'. Written over the course of two eventful and controversial seasons, it offers a unique portrait of Sir Alex Ferguson from Daniel Taylor’s position behind the scenes as a football writer covering Manchester United for the Guardian. During the 2005-06 season, Taylor saw Ferguson at one of the lowest ebbs of his qua...
'One of the best football books I've ever read.' John Motson on Provided You Don't Kiss Me 'Some people believe football is a matter of life and death. I am very disappointed by that attitude. I can assure you it's much more important than that' - Bill Shankly What Shankly said isn't even half-true. In fact, it's bollocks. Football isn't the be-all and end-all of everything. If nothing else, I know that much. As a player, Thom Callaghan was defined by the winning goal he scored in an FA Cup final. The goal wasn't the blessing he imagined it would be. His whole career was defined by that brief moment of glory. With his playing days over, Callaghan, still a local hero, is tempted back to his o...
Following the success of A Delicious Slice of Johnners, Barry Johnston has edited another delightful anthology based on three of his father’s most popular books, Brian Johnston’s Guide to Cricket, Chatterboxes and It’s Been a Piece of Cake.