So ignited the obsession with angling that has stayed with Tony Bailey across his life and ensured he has spent seventy-five years gladly indulging his passion for angling. In this enjoyable memoir, he looks back over a life spent fishing, and considers what lights the spark that turns a human being into an angler – circumstance, social contact or genetics?

Packed with memories and peppered with useful tips and observations, this engaging book explores the full gamut of angling possibilities from the wildest stream to the most enigmatic of farm ponds, each tied to their histories and legends, each capable of providing the thrill of a lifetime or the peace and tranquillity to connect with nature and soothe the mind.

The post Silver Streams and Muddy Dreams appeared first on The History Press.

The inaugural meeting of the Women’s FA was on 1 November 1969. Present were 44 clubs and 7 leagues, forming the nucleus of the nascent association. The FA had banned women from playing on grounds under its control in 1921 (reaffirmed in 1962) but organisations, including local councils, interpreted this as a ban on women playing football. In reality the effect was exactly that, to prevent women from playing the sport. Through the steadfast efforts of many men and women the ban was finally lifted on 19 January 1970.

Featuring original research, behind-the-scenes detail and personal perspectives from many of the 96 players to wear the England shirt during that period, the full picture is revealed for the first time. From the early days, as a voluntary workforce fought to establish a brand new sport; through the development phase as a national cup competition and official national team were founded; and on to the later years which saw a continuous battle to gain and maintain recognition. This is a book about the unsung heroes of the past who worked tirelessly for the right of girls and women to play the game they loved, and in doing so laid the foundations for the teams of the future.

The post Breaking the Grass Ceiling appeared first on The History Press.

The post My Dad Raced One of Those appeared first on The History Press.

The post The Little Book of Irish Football appeared first on The History Press.

The post Bill Edrich appeared first on The History Press.

As a seaport established by Vikings to becoming a shipbuilding and commercial hub up until the early twentieth century, Waterford city has seen Brazilian footballers, English rowers and Polish cyclists compete at its pitches, rivers, and tracks. Even sports that would be seen as incredibly niche such as baseball, chess and roller hockey have all been played and at one time thrived in Waterford. This book reveals what has been forgotten in the histories of Waterford FC and Waterford GAA, from the neglected stories to the great what ifs. Discover the tales of how an American yachtsman visited the city on a tour that saw him aim to build a replica of Kilkenny Castle, to whether Arthur Conan Doyle played cricket while fishing and boating along the river Blackwater. All of these before a ball is kicked or a cross word exchanged in the heat of battle.

The post ‘I Love Me County’ appeared first on The History Press.

October 1965: Clough persuades ex-’Boro teammate Peter Taylor to join him in managing perennial North-East strugglers Hartlepools United, lying next to bottom of the Fourth Division.

A magical football odyssey has begun.

Alchemy reveals the bittersweet reality of Brian Clough and Peter Taylor’s first management job together. Lower-league Hartlepools United are penniless, with a meddling chairman, a ramshackle ground and want-away players. Yet the management pair tackle every challenge head-on, forging a winning blueprint that later transforms unfashionable Derby County and Nottingham Forest into League and European Cup champions.

Exploiting a wealth of archive newspapers, plus interviews with those present at the creation, Alchemy exposes the humble origins of Clough & Taylor’s meteoric rise to the top of the football tree.

The post Alchemy appeared first on The History Press.

A perfect companion for those long away trips or for just an informal get together and bit of friendly rivalry between you and your Norwich City supporting mates.

Players, managers, matches, transfers, incidents and trivia galore.

If you’re serious about all things yellow and green, then this is definitely the book for you.

The post Never Mind the Canaries 2 appeared first on The History Press.

This, together with the force of his incredible personality, ensured Bill Shankly would be remembered forever as one of the all-time great figures in football. With superb photography from professional sports photographer Steve Hale and text from prolific Merseyside writer Phil Thompson, this delightful biography records his life – from his birth in Glenbuck to the glory days when Shankly laid the foundations for Liverpool’s rise to domination of the domestic and European football scene.

The post Shankly appeared first on The History Press.

Including details of the cars’ drivers, as well as interesting facts about each race, such as weather conditions, distance covered and average speeds, Le Mans Winning Colours is a book to treasure for all racing-car enthusiasts.

The post Le Mans Winning Colours appeared first on The History Press.