Talking Sports Books

In this edition we go back to April 1985 when Marvin Hagler met Thomas Hearns. Don Stradley joins us to talk about his book "The War" which chronicles the events in the build-up to the fight and its aftermath. 37 years on from that Monday night in April the fight is still viewed as one of the greatest in Boxing history .

In this edition Alexis James author of "Unsung" joins us to look at the lives of those whose contribution is essential to the smooth running , success and integrity  we look at the lives of the interpreters, race starters, drug testers, club chaplains its a fascinating insight into the lives of those who regularly appear on tv at event coverage and who we know so little about, yet without the...

In the first edition of the new year Rugby and NFL are the featured sports, "Rugby's Greatest Mavericks" is Luke Upton's book which looks at some of the game's most celebrated names whose contribution at times has been controversial both on and off the field but who ultimately would have fans flocking to see them play, and we look at espionage at Superbowl and the lengths some would go to in order...

In this edition of the show Gly Rhodes MBE joins me along with author  Mark Turley, Glyn looks back on a life in boxing from growing up on a council estate in Sheffield to the day his life changed as he walked through the door of Brendan Ingle's gym and subsequently devoted his life to Boxing. It's a tale of the high's the sport delivers in and out of the ring as a fighter and a coach and tra...

In this edition author and journalist Tris Dixon joins me to talk about his brand new book "Warrior" which tells the story of the rise and fall of Mathew Saad Muhammad . From being abandoned on a Philadelphia street corner aged 4 he rose to become one of the great champions of the era.

In this podcast we focus on the "World Cup " beginning with author Aiden Williams who joins us to talk about the greatest teams never to have won the world cup as revealed in his book "The Nearly Men". Next we talk to Stuart Horsfield who wrote about the Brazil team of 1982 and Chris Evans discusses what you actually need to be in place in order to win a world cup from his book "How to Win a World...

In this edition of the show, we explore the high-stakes world of espionage in NFL and MLB through 2 new book releases, Kevin Bryant  has spent a lifetime working in intelligence gathering as a former special agent and within the military his book "Spies On The Sidelines" explores the lengths teams go to in order to win from concealed cameras to scouts dressed as clergy and Daniel Levitt and M...

Catherine Spencer is one of England's most successful rugby players she was capped 63 times by England during which time as captain she led the team to 3 successive "6 Nations" titles played in 2 "World Cup Finals" and had a win ratio of 93% during her time as England captain. Catherine joined me to talk about her book "Mud Maul Mascara" .

In the first edition of the new series we look at the history of women's rugby in "Scrum Queens" with guest reviewer, and author Andy Bollen plus Chris Evans joins us to talk about his new book "How To Win A World Cup" the definitive book with contributions from, Scolari, Carlos Alberto Parreira and Roberto Martinez.

Welcome to the latest edition of the "Talking Sports Books + Media" Show and in this edition former Man City, QPR, Real Salt Lake defender Nedum Onuoha who joins me to talk about his life story as told in his just released new book "Kicking Back" 

In this edition i am joined by author Dave Hannigan to talk about his new book on the life of Ali from his retirement up until the lighting of the Olympic flame in Atlanta in 1996. Between defeat by Trevor Berbick in December 1981 and lighting the Olympic flame in July 1996, Ali spent 15 bizarre years traversing the globe. Sometimes hilarious, often terribly poignant, this book chronicles Ali prea...

This month Andy Bollen joins me to talk about his new book which imagines an alternative football museum and what would be exhibited, from food and drink to fashion media and politics.

Not all stories about football players are tales of winning trophies fabulous wealth and a life mingling with stars. Anthony Potts was a prodigiously talented young player likened in his youth to Kenny Dalglish, on signing for Spurs and becoming a member of the same squad as "Gazza" and Gary Lineker he looked primed for premier league stardom until one day an injury started a decline that lead to...

In this edition of the podcast Elly Watson curator at the "National Design Museum London" has spent the last 2 years putting together "Football Designing The Beautiful Game" and exhibition which opens on April 6th she joins us to talk about what to expect when you visit. John Spurling has just released a new book "Get ItOn" which looks at the Football, the game the personalities, the kits, on tv,...

This month Director Daniel Bailey joins us to talk about the new play by Tyrell Williams "Red Pitch" and author Marvin Close talks about the book "I Hope You Die Of Cancer" in which player x lifts the lid on never before told stories of dust up's bust up's backhanders and betting scandals.

Welcome to the first edition of 2022 and this month I talk to Shauna Coxsey about her part in the documentary feature film "The Wall Climb For Gold" the story of 4 elite climbers and their own personal journey to compete at the Tokyo Olympic's plus author Rob Goldman talks about his new book "The Sisterhood" which charts the rise of the USAWNT from humble beginnings in the mid 80's en route to bec...

In the final edition of the podcast for 2021 we are joined by former "Head of Sport" for BBC and ITV as well as the Chief Executive of the FA and RFL, Brian Barwick OBE who talks about his just released book "60 Years a Red and Counting"  A Lifetimes Passion which celebrates a life spent following Liverpool FC as a fan and a journalist and broadcaster.

This month 3 authors talking about there books,  Mathew Bazell talks about his new book "Ring Wars" a photographic history of some of the most epic ring encounters of the last 50 years. Veteran American writer John Hart talks about his book "Man Vs Ball"  One ordinary guy and his extraordinary sports adventures. Matt Rogan talks about his book "All To Play For"   "A sensitive e...

In this edition of the podcast Steven Scragg joins me to talk about his new book "TheUndisputed Champions Of Europe" which looks back at the birth of European club football with the European Cup up until its conclusion as a knockout tournament and the arrival of the UCL. It's a story about football legends from Puskas, Di Stefano and Cruyff right up to Rijkaard, Gullet and Van Basten and stories f...

"Sacre Bleu" From Zidane to Mbappe won "Football Book Of The Year" 2021 in this edition of the podcast we take you back to the interview we did with the author Matt Spiro .

Where do you go to sample the best food and drink when you are out on the road following your team around the country. Gone are the days when fans have to suffer hideous overpriced stadium food because here is a guide of where to go to sample some of the best local specialities both food and drink in and around every stadium in the country. The book is the "The Great Pie Revolt" and author Jack Jo...

A look back at the extraordinary life of Steve Kerr

This month journalist and author Robert Beasley joins me to talk about his new book, Rob had a relationship with Jose which was the envy of Fleet St the result of which resulted in this book which is full of stories and anecdotes many of which have either never been heard or forgotten. 

In this "Extra" edition of the "TalkingSports Books Podcast" author Neil Fitzsimon joins me to talk about his latest book on Chelsea  "A Deeper Shade of Blue" the story of a Chelsea fan in the 1970's and "Eddie McCreadie's Blue and White Army" Lots of humour in this book and you don't have to be a Chelsea fan to have a smile at this.