‘Stanley Matthews taught us the way football should be played’ Pelé 'I couldn't believe he was just a man. He was the best player in the world' Bobby Charlton 'He told me that he used to play for just twenty pounds a week. Today he would be worth all the money in the Bank of England' Gianfranco Zola Stanley Matthews is one of the most famous footballers ever to play the beautiful game. Nicknamed ‘The Wizard of Dribble’ for his deadly skills, he made fools of defenders around the world. He played 84 matches for England in a career that spanned an extraordinary 33 years and such was his popularity that attendance for his club teams, Stoke City and Blackpool, more than doubled when he played. He was a global superstar decades before Beckham, Ronaldo or Messi, yet what do we really know about this legendary man? This first full and objective biography looks beyond the public face of the ‘first gentleman of soccer’ to explore a life not without controversy. This was a player who clashed with his managers, who felt undervalued in the age of the maximum wage – leading to a charge of blackmarketeering – and who was criticised for his showmanship and perceived lack of team spirit. There were private dramas too – an unhappy first marriage that produced two beloved children, and a second, to the love of his life, a Czech with a dark secret even Matthews never knew and which acclaimed biographer Jon Henderson reveals for the first time. Recreating the magic on the pitch and analyzing the key moments that made Matthews great, this is a meticulously researched story of a national hero and a fascinating insight into English football in the 20th century.

Claire Perova has always struggled to find the people and places that make up “home.” After a lengthy university adventure in Greece, she returns to Canada where she eventually meets two men. But just as her romantic life starts getting complicated, Claire becomes embroiled in a strange death. Or was it murder? Despite her best efforts, she can’t escape the aftermath of the crime. Every new step gives rise to surprise encounters, risky situations, and all-or-nothing alternatives. Soon, Claire learns that people are not always what they seem, and smiling faces conceal scheming motives. Should she listen to her sensible friend, Kate, and drop the whole thing, or should she follow her gut and chase the truth? This is a story about love, loss, friendship, and courage. Trusting Claire brings Claire to the point of no return. Along the way, she might just solve the riddles that have followed her since childhood.

From the author of Trusting Claire comes a compelling new mystery set in Sheffield, South Yorkshire. When Joe Parrott, a somewhat disillusioned private investigator, discovers the body of a woman near his home, he is determined to do her justice and find the killer. Haunted by her image, he begins his quest for answers. Joe learns that the deceased, Rita, was a runaway from an abusive home. Not only that, but at a young age, she endured a tragic life-changing experience. With the help of an unexpected ally and his friends in the Sheffield Police, Joe begins to unravel the mystery of this young woman, uncovering a shattering revelation that will reverberate through those connected to Rita—and impact his own life as well. Wanting Aidan is a captivating crime drama that will leave readers wondering about how we each choose the paths we take.

This wide-ranging collection of essays seeks to challenge the ‘common-sense’ assumption that entertainment activities have no function but to fill up otherwise empty moments. As such it builds on the term – coined by the Victorians – ‘Recreation’, and argues that in the entertainments people pursue they do not simply divert themselves, but actively create and re-create their identities. The collection shows this process can only take place for those who enjoy the benefits of leisure; hence, in the medieval period leisure and entertainments are largely confined to the wealthy minority. In periods of rapid social change, like 19th century Britain, the inter-linked question of identity and entertainment became an issue of great concern. Orderly and respectable activities were seen by many commentators as the key to containing the potential menace of the new urban population. In the 20th century the development of new forms of mass entertainment, such as cinema, radio and television, has generated new debates, in particular about the potential of these new media to manipulate their audiences. The essays, arranged in broadly chronological order, give fascinating and detailed ‘snapshots’ of these processes as they unfold from the middle ages to the present-day. As such the collection makes a very valuable contribution to the historical study of the social and, broadly defined, political role played by entertainments in shaping and reinforcing identities. 'In recent years the history of leisure and, more particularly, the history of leisure pursuits, amusements and "entertainments", has engaged the attention of social historians who, as well as highlighting their intrinsic interests, have demonstrated the contribution which such studies can make to an understanding on social identities and class relationships. This collection of essays explores a wide and eclectic range of "entertainments" - from medieval pet-keeping, Victorian chess tournaments and late 19th century museums of curiosities to French anarchist theatre and the career of Harry Belafonte - themes which until now received little or no scholarly analysis. As such it fills a significant gap in the historical literature.' G. R. Searle, Emeritus Prof. of History, University of East Anglia and Fellow of the British Academy

A recollection of more than thirty years of watching professional sport across Britain and Europe. The memories cover more than a thousand games of Football, Rugby League, Cricket, Ice Hockey and Rugby Union

______________ THE FIRST BOOK IN A BRAND NEW TRILOGY BY ">Bestselling author Mary Wood writing as Maggie Mason The next instalment - Blackpool Sisters - is available to PRE-ORDER NOW! 'In the grand tradition of sagas set down by the late and great Catherine Cookson' Jean Fullerton on Blackpool Lass ______________ Blackpool, 1893 Tilly has come a long way from the run-down tenements in which she grew up. She has a small but comfortable home, a loving, handsome husband, two beautiful little'uns - Babs and Beth - and she earns herself a little money weaving wicker baskets. Life is good. Until the day Tilly returns home to find a policeman standing on her doorstep. Her Arthur won't be coming home tonight - nor any night - having fallen to his death whilst working on Blackpool tower. Suddenly Tilly is her daughters' sole protector, and she's never felt more alone. With the threat of destitution nipping at their heels, Tilly struggles to make ends meet and keep a roof over her girls' heads. In a town run by men Tilly has to ask herself what she's willing to do to keep her family together and safe - and will it be enough? The perfect read for fans of Mary Wood, Kitty Neale, Val Wood and Nadine Dorries

Welcome to this series of Short Talking Books. This volume focuses on Bob ‘Stokoe's Blackpool.' It highlights Bob’s success in winning Blackpool the Anglo Italian Cup. The book includes short profiles of the team and others who played a part in their biggest success. It is written in a conversational question and answer format. ‘The Talking Manager’s’ series is designed as a ‘on the go’ travel book. The print size offers an easier read for small devices like mobile phones. Look for others in the series.

Whether it was a swashbuckling footballer whose style earned him the nickname Crazy Horse, or as a television quiz show captain who rubbed shoulders with royalty, Emlyn Hughes never did things by half. This book looks at the life of the legend who carved out a career for himself in the media.