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| AMAZING SPORTS QUIZ BOOK : Over 5000 Questions [Frank Brockett] Frank Brockett makes his living compiling pub quizzes. Now he passes on his extensive knowledge in book form. For instance, which footballer won the League and Cup Double, the World Cup and £17,000 on a gambling machine on the ferry home? Or how about the number Michael Caine wore in Escape to Victory? With over 5,000 sporting teasers there's enough here to baffle your friends, stump your enemies and confound the pub know-it-all. You could even start your own pub quiz and give Frank some serious competition. Take him on, if you think you're hard enough! { 202pp, 150x210mm, December 1999; PB, £6.99, 1901746097:9781901746099 , Empire Publications } |
| ANFIELD MAESTROS : The 50 Greatest Liverpool Players Since 1945 [Dean Hayes] Liverpool Football Club remain one of the most successful clubs in Europe. Most of their achievements in the last century are unlikely to be rivalled while the players that made it happen are among the greatest to have graced the British game. From Dalglish to Souness via Owen, Fowler and Keegan, those that have pulled on the red shirt down the years have made history both at home and in Europe. Anfield is home to a bewildering array of silverware - since 1945 4 European Cups, 3 UEFA Cups, 14 First Division titles, 6 FA Cups and 6 League Cups have swelled the Anfield trophy cabinet. In Dean Hayes' collection of the top 50 Liverpool players since the war, tough decisions have had to be made. Clearly, heroes from the club's golden era in the 70s and 80s dominate, but what of the likes of Jimmy Melia, Ron Yeats and Alan A 'Court who began Liverpool's revolution under Bill Shankly in the 1960s? And what of the heroes of recent years: Owen, Fowler and McManaman among them... his selection is bound to be a source of heated debate. { 108pp, 110x180mm, December 2002; PB, £5.99, 1901746348:9781901746341 , Empire Publications } |
| ATKINSON FOR ENGLAND : A Tale of Mistaken Identity, the England National Team & Plumbing [Gary James & Mark Brown] With only 10 days to go before England's crucial World Cup Qualifier against Germany, national manager Glenn Gould resigns, blaming Brendon Fendon, the FA's Machiavellian chief executive, of taking an unhealthy interest in team affairs. A shortlist of temporary replacement managers is drawn up -- the instant favourite is Ron Atkinson. Brendan Fendon leaves for Brazil to attend a career-enhancing FIFA conference on the elasticity of corner flags. Meanwhile, Nottingham plumber and Sunday League manager Reg Atkinson is concerned that his tender for the undersoil heating contract at the new Wembley stadium will be lost in the latest crisis to hit the England team. But he is soon reassured by a call from the FA asking him to an interview. Reg quickly hones his knowledge of the Swedish undersoil heating system and heads for London. After a swift selection process, Brendan Fendon's stand-in Sir Richard Scratcher appoints Atkinson and calls a press conference to announce the new England boss. But, as the mass media soon discover, the man taking the stage isn't Ron but Reg who has signed a multi-million pound contract to take charge of the national team. The press have a field day, but Brendan Fendon is none the wiser as his delayed flight from Rio lands at Heathrow. When the truth dawns he realises the only way out is to force Reg to resign by preventing all England's stars from playing against Germany. What does Reg do now? If he resigns he'll lose his money, but if he continues, England will be forced to forfeit the match and Germany will surely qualify. The press are camped outside Reg's humble semi in Nottingham, he's suffered a mysterious break-in and his plumbing business and the future of English football look like going down the pan. . . { 340pp, 110x180mm, December 2002; PB, £4.95, 1901746178:9781901746174 , Empire Publications } |
| BACK FROM THE BRINK : Manchester United Crisis, 1919-1932 [Justin Blundell] The twenty-odd years that separated the First World War from the Second World War have often been referred to as the long weekend. This book follows the fortunes of Manchester United from Friday night to Sunday afternoon. It is the story of how a pre-war giant fell asleep and very nearly did not wake up again. It is the story of record highs and record lows, of protests, punch-ups and revolts, of heroes, villains, wizards and saviours, of great escapes and even greater cock-ups, of joy and pain, tragedy and despair. Amazingly, it is a story that has never properly been told before. Hopefully, it has been now. 'Back from the Brink' chronicles the departure of the father of Manchester United, John Henry Davies and the arrival of its saviour and inspiration James Gibson. The debt modern United fans owe these two men cannot be underestimated. Had it not been for Davies there would be no Manchester United -- when Newton Heath were bankrupted in 1902 he changed the name of the club, found them a new stadium and injected the style and panache now associated with the club throughout the football world. As for Gibson, he took a floundering club playing before dwindling support and introduced such notions as corporate hospitality, the tracksuit manager and a youth system as early as 1931. Thus Gibson paved the way for Busby and Ferguson -- yet this tale concentrates on an era before glory and Manchester United became inextricably linked. As United fans approach another era of uncertainty regarding their club, “Back from the Brink” is the first proper examination of a period during which the club won nothing but laid the groundwork for the club’s post-war success. { 480pp, 130x200mm, January 2007; PB, £10.95, 190174647X:9781901746471 , Empire Publications } |
| BLUE TOMORROW? : The Football, Finance & Future of Chelsea Football Club [Mark Meehan] From its formation in 1905, Chelsea have been regarded as the most glamorous of clubs. Visitors to the Bridge have included Hollywood actresses, Prime Ministers, Cabinet Ministers and even an American Secretary of State complete with Secret Service entourage. But while famous names seem attracted to Chelsea's proximity to London's West End, the team has often disappointed. More recently Chelsea have become one of the most successful of the new breed of Premiership clubs. Under Bates, Stamford Bridge has become home to 39 businesses ranging from travel agencies to banks, restaurants and hotels to insurance companies, with the express aim of insuring his football club against the inconsistencies and dangerous internal feuding that have hamstrung previous chairmen. Over the past 6 years Chelsea has undergone a revolution, but along with ‘progress' has come rampant commercialism -- as one Chelsea fan noted, ‘loyalty is measured by how much you can spend rather than how much you care. The life-long emotional bond that forms between a football club and its supporters is now almost a weakness, there to be exploited by the money-drunk millionaires that have taken over our sacred game'. Life-long Chelsea fan Mark Meehan discovers a club in a hurry: an ageing chairman frantic to win the championship before he retires, a club facing mounting debts, an expensively assembled playing staff and a new manager brought in because the old one could only deliver five trophies in three seasons. Clearly, nearly 20 years after assuming control, Ken Bates is still chasing his elusive "Blue Tomorrow" -- but, as Meehan discovers, he is in danger of losing control of his own club with potentially disastrous consequences. { 269pp, 150x210mm, December 2002; PB, £9.99, 190174616X:9781901746167 , Empire Publications } |
| CATCH A FALLING STAR : The Autobiography of Neil Young [Neil Young with Dante Friend] One of the most perceptive descriptions of Manchester City's play during their glory years was made by Manchester Evening News reporter Peter Gardner who said that "When Youngy plays, City play". For all the talk in the intervening years of greats such as Summerbee, Bell and Lee, it was the local lad made good who made most impact when it mattered. A tall, leggy striker with a venomous left-foot shot, Young scored in every significant game for City in the late 60s. Scorer of two goals in the 1968 Championship win up at Newcastle, the scorer of the 1969 FA Cup Final winner and the first goal in the 1970 Cup Winners' Cup final, Neil Young played as significant a role in the success and style of the Mercer-Allison partnership as anyone. Yet by 1972 he was allowed to leave the club as City began their now familiar relationship with underachievement and mismanagement. In 'Catch a Falling Star', Neil Young explains what he has been up to in the years since his sizzling shots stung the hands of the country's finest goalkeepers. Here he frankly discusses the problem that faced footballers of the pre-Premiership era: "When I left Rochdale for the last time one Friday afternoon I had a week's wages... about £60. I drove home and sat in my lounge for about two hours, wondering what the hell I was going to do. I had a car on HP, a mortgage, a wife and three children to feed. I was the provider who could no longer provide. I had no savings whatsoever and my wife didn't work. I didn't see it coming. It was a calamity waiting to happen." Thus starts Neil's decline into illness and depression. During the next painful decade Neil suffered numerous illnesses, lost his family, his mother and survived a suicide attempt. Thankfully, he has emerged with his spirit intact thanks largely to the love of his third wife, Carmen. 'Catch a Falling Star' is the moving tale of a how a star on the wane managed to mount a personal comeback as impressive as any achieved on the pitch by City's star-studded squad of the late 60s. { 220pp, 140x225mm, October 2004; HB, £17.95, 1901746437:9781901746433 , Empire Publications } |
| CHASING GLORY : The Story of Association Football in Keighley [Rob Grillo] With only 10 days to go before England's crucial World Cup Qualifier against Germany, national manager Glenn Gould resigns, blaming Brendon Fendon, the FA's Machiavellian chief executive, of taking an unhealthy interest in team affairs. A shortlist of temporary replacement managers is drawn up -- the instant favourite is Ron Atkinson. Brendan Fendon leaves for Brazil to attend a career-enhancing FIFA conference on the elasticity of corner flags. Meanwhile, Nottingham plumber and Sunday League manager Reg Atkinson is concerned that his tender for the undersoil heating contract at the new Wembley stadium will be lost in the latest crisis to hit the England team. But he is soon reassured by a call from the FA asking him to an interview. Reg quickly hones his knowledge of the Swedish undersoil heating system and heads for London. After a swift selection process, Brendan Fendon's stand-in Sir Richard Scratcher appoints Atkinson and calls a press conference to announce the new England boss. But, as the mass media soon discover, the man taking the stage isn't Ron but Reg who has signed a multi-million pound contract to take charge of the national team. The press have a field day, but Brendan Fendon is none the wiser as his delayed flight from Rio lands at Heathrow. When the truth dawns he realises the only way out is to force Reg to resign by preventing all England's stars from playing against Germany. What does Reg do now? If he resigns he'll lose his money, but if he continues, England will be forced to forfeit the match and Germany will surely qualify. The press are camped outside Reg's humble semi in Nottingham, he's suffered a mysterious break-in and his plumbing business and the future of English football look like going down the pan. . . { 187pp, 150x210mm, January 1998; PB, £7.95, 1901746011:9781901746013 , Empire Publications } |
| COLUMNS OF EGYPT [J Peter Phillips] Illustrated with some 600 black-and-white photographs, maps, and plans, this volume details the evolution of the design of Egyptian columns from the earliest structures to the columns in buildings erected by the Roman emperors. Themes addressed range from the symbolic meaning to the construction and decoration. { 358pp, 190x235mm, December 2002; PB, £17.80, 0954349709:9780954349707 / HB, £23.80, 0954349717:9780954349714 , Empire Publications (Peartree Publishing) } |
| ENCYCLOPAEDIA OF SCOTTISH CRICKET [David W Potter] This is the first comprehensive history of the game in Scotland. The history of cricket in Scotland is both rich and varied, from the Jacobite Rebellion of 1745 to the leagues of the 20th century, culminating in the National League of the 1990's and the debut of the Scotland team in the 1999 World Cup. Produced in A to Z format, from Aberdeenshire to Zeneca Grangemouth, including 80 photographs. It has been lovingly written and compiled by Kirkcaldy Classics teacher and umpire David W.Potter in association with the Scottish Cricket Union. { 214pp, 150x210mm, May 1999; PB, £9.99, 1901746070:9781901746075 , Empire Publications } |
| FIGHTING PHARAOHS : Weapons & Warfare in Ancient Egypt [Robert B Partridge] Draws together the history and description of weapons and warfare and the military activities of the Pharaohs, from the earliest dynastic times until the Roman period. It begins by identifying the friends and foes of the Ancient Egyptians and then takes the reader through the wide range of weapons used, showing how they developed over time and how foreign innovations such as the use of horses and chariots were eagerly adopted and adapted. Subsequent chapters look at the life and training of a new recruit, the structure of the army, what soldiers did when they were not on campaigns and the realities and dangers of a soldier's life. The final chapters look at fortifications and the art of siege warfare, and at the series of campaigns of the Pharaohs. The major campaigns of the great Warrior Pharaohs are covered in more detail. { 336pp, 195x240mm, December 2002; PB, £17.80, 0954349725:9780954349721 / HB, £23.80, 0954349733:9780954349738 , Empire Publications } |
| FROM GOAL-LINE TO TOUCHLINE : My Career with Manchester United [Jack Crompton & Cliff Butler. Foreword by Sir Alex Ferguson. Introduction by Nobby Stiles] Jack Crompton is one of only two surviving members of Manchester United's illustrious 1948 FA Cup winning side and the first to pen his autobiography. Jack served the club as goalkeeper, trainer and caretaker manager for almost 40 years between the 1940s and the 1980s. His career between the sticks brought the first taste of glory to Matt Busby's United, starring in a team that helped transform the club from pre-war also-rans to England's best supported club. As a 'keeper Jack was an automatic choice until the signing of Reg Allen and the emergence of Ray Wood in the 1950s. With the emergence of the Babes, many of whom Jack captained in the club's reserve team, Jack moved on to coach Luton Town in 1956. But in the wake of the Munich Air Disaster two years later, he returned to the club to assist Jimmy Murphy and, after his recovery, Matt Busby in United's re-building. An integral part of United's coaching set-up throughout the sixties, Jack was a trusted fi gure for players and management and helped guide the club to honours culminating in long-awaited European success in 1968. As assistant to Wilf McGuinness Jack witnessed first-hand the difficulties the club faced following Busby's retirement and moved on to coach at Preston with Bobby Charlton before managing Fourth Division Barrow. He returned to Old Trafford under Dave Sexton as reserve coach, finishing his lengthy professional association with the club as caretaker manager during a tour of the Far East in 1981 which could have ended in diplomatic disaster without Jack's forward planning and patience. Now a sprightly octagenarian in 'From Goal-line to Touchline' he talks candidly about the considerable changes in the game and refl ects on a career that took in glory and tragedy in equal measure. { 198pp, October 2008; HB, £16.95, 1901746526:9781901746525 , Empire Publications } |
| GLORY DENIED : The Story of Association Football in Keighley, Volume Two [Rob Grillo] Rob Grillo's fascinating story of Keighley football begins where Chasing Glory left off at outbreak of the Second World War and ends in 1998. { 210pp, 150x210mm, January 1999; PB, £8.95, 1901746054:9781901746051 , Empire Publications } |
| GOODISON MAESTROS : The 50 Greatest Everton Players Since 1945 [Dean Hayes] Everton Football Club are a Merseyside institution. From Harry Catterick's ‘School of Science' via Howard Kendall's all-conquering team of the mid-80s to today's resurgence under David Moyes, the Blues have frequently challenged for the greatest prizes in the English game. Meanwhile the club has enjoyed a century in the top flight of English football, an achievement underlining the clubs standing in the game. In "Goodison Maestros", author Dean Hayes selects the 50 greatest players to have pulled on an Everton jersey since the war. Naturally any such selection will be subjective; how could one compare ‘The Golden Vision' Alex Young with the likes of eighties heroes Sharp, Gray and Reid and modern day wonderkid Wayne Rooney? Whatever the argument, Hayes' choices are bound to be controversial. { 106pp, 150x210mm, December 2002; PB, £5.99, 190174633X:9781901746334 , Empire Publications } |
| INSIDER'S GUIDE TO MANCHESTER UNITED : Candid profiles of every Red Devil since 1945 [John Doherty with Ivan Ponting] Containing John Doherty's subjective views on each of the 339 men who have played for the club at senior level since 1945, The Insider's Guide To Manchester United is the definitive Manchester United players' guide. Doherty (an original Busby Babe and chairman of the United Old Boys committee) candidly reveals the strengths, weaknesses and his personal memories of United's stars. { 350pp, 190x245mm, November 2005; HB, £20.00, 1901746410:9781901746419 , Empire Publications } |
| IT MANAGER'S HANDBOOK : A Guide for IT Professionals & Students [David Millar] Ever wondered how to carry out business planning, deal with customers, analyse business requirements, design IT systems and manage finance and property? This handbook will provide you with systems for dealing with all of these potential problem areas in a logical and systematic manner. Conforming to UK National Management Standards and meeting the requirements of NVQ Management Levels 3, 4 and 5, information Technology manager David Miller has brought together checklists aimed at anyone managing customers, projects and staff. From professionals with a good knowledge of the processes involved, to students starting out, 'The IT Manager's Handbook' is a valuable resource accessible to non-IT organisations, colleges, businesses and other organisations. This is a fully portable, readily available and comprehensive source of reference material to help you meet the increasing demands placed on today's IT Manager. { 230pp, 210x280mm, December 2001; SB, £24.99, 1901746151:9781901746150 , Empire Publications } |
| JOCK MCAVOY : Portrait of a Fighting Legend [Brian Hughes MBE] Jock McAvoy was influenced by his poor 1930s background. A ferocious fighter, a special kind of person who fought hard to give his family a better standard of living. Many older boxing journalists believe that the romance of the ring and its hungry exponents rest, almost entirely, in the years gone by. The 1930s were, without doubt, the greatest period in British boxing history. On the social side, this period was hard and desolate: there was no welfare state, conditions of employment for this generation were oppressive, everyone worked for wages that allowed no margin for illness. If a man didn't work, he and his family went hungry. Man was at his best when up against it and thousands fought to put food on the table for their families. "McAvoy: Portrait of a Fighting Legend" lays not only a man but an era to rest. { 274pp, 150x210mm, August 2004; PB, £9.95, 1901746208:9781901746204 , Empire Publications } |
| KING : Denis Law, Hero of the Stretford End [Brian Hughes MBE] Denis Law was hero and villain all rolled into one. His high-octane performances for Scotland, Manchester United and Manchester City often put him on a crash course with the football establishment of the 1960s, as jealous onlookers from Merseyside and London would question his temperament and character. Yet for fans of both Manchester clubs, Denis was a Boys' Own hero: a player capable of incredible feats of skill and power, all carried off with the knowing smile and villainous touch that put some in mind of a Piccadilly pickpocket. To Mancunians, this son of an Aberdonian trawler-man became part of the fabric of the city; first as a dynamic frontman for the Sky Blues and later as an all-action hero at Matt Busby's United. In the latest of his biographies of former United greats, Brian Hughes traces the Scot's career from his arrival at Huddersfield as a 16-year-old to the dramatic conclusion of his career at Old Trafford playing for deadly rivals Manchester City. As Hughes discovers, Law remained a headline-writer's dream throughout a career that saw him land the FA Cup, European Cup and League Championship. At his most finest, Denis Europe's pre-eminent striker, winning the 1964 European Footballer of the Year award and selection alongside di Stefano and Puskas in the prestigious Rest of the World team that faced England in 1963's FA Centenary match. Denis' progress up the football ladder was meteoric. Yet the scrawny and bespectacled individual scouted by Huddersfield in 1955 didn't look much like a future world star. Most judges reckoned him too frail to succeed at professional level while Bill Shankly's first reaction was to put Law on the next train home. On the pitch though the Scot became, in Shankly's words, 'a terror'. A transfer to Manchester City for a record £55,000 soon followed and a £110,000 move to Torino confirmed Law's status as football's rising star. Yet Law always seemed destined for Busby's United. In the summer of 1962 Lawmania hit Old Trafford following the Reds £115,000 swoop for a player fans recognised as brilliant enough to win games single-handedly. Over the next six seasons, he proved the catalyst for Sir Matt's final push for European glory and, though he missed the European Cup Final in 1968, few doubted his influence on the club and supporters. Yet Denis' career took a dramatic twist with a free transfer from the Reds in 1973. City quickly stepped in to set-up the ironic denouement of April 1974 -- Denis' back heel consigning United to Second Division football and the Law legend to immortality. { 371pp, 155x235mm, August 2004; HB, £17.95, 1901746356:9781901746358 , Empire Publications } |
| LEAGUE CRICKET ANNUAL REVIEW : Second Edition, 2001 [Stuart Fish (ed)] This book includes comprehensive coverage of every League in the North West plus Youth and Women's Cricket, Leagues, Clubs, Contacts, Fixtures, New Structures, Previews and Reviews, Facts, Figures and Tables. { 150pp, 150x210mm, July 2001; PB, £6.99, 1901746194:9781901746198 , Empire Publications } |
| MORRISSEY'S MANCHESTER : The Essential Smiths Tour [Phill Gatenby; Foreword by Mick Middles] Includes free tour map. 'Morrissey's Manchester -- the essential Smiths tour' is a guide book for fans of one of the greatest groups of the 1980s. This guide takes readers to the places Morrissey wrote about or which formed an influential part of the group's history, such as concert venues, meeting places and sites captured on film. Indeed a tour of Smiths and Morrissey related places, is also a tour of Mancunian history. The two literally go ‘hand in glove', as you will discover whilst reading about Manchester's past and the life of the band. Has any other band been so inspired by their hometown as much as The Smiths? It's as if they could never have been formed anywhere else in the world. The decaying Manchester of the late 1970s and early 80s shaped the band which is why they provided the soundtrack to so many thousands of lives growing up not only in Manchester, but throughout the world. Since then of course Manchester has changed considerably, nonetheless the Smiths part in that revival is often overlooked. Manchester's part in the cultural revolution of the late 1980s proceeded The Smiths starring role in a city which has continued to produce world class music time after time. These tours allow dedicated fans to visit the sights and sounds that inspired Morrissey's writing -- however they also offer the casual tourist a cheap day out at points of interest and history in the city. We hope to expand this series further over the coming months and hope you enjoy a taste of Manchester's musical heritage. { 125pp, 110x180mm, May 2002; PB, £5.99, 1901746283:9781901746280 , Empire Publications } |
| MY BLUE HEAVEN [Dante Friend; Foreword by John Stapleton] Packed with witty anecdotes, exclusive insights and glorious moments from City's illustrious past, 'My Blue Heaven' features the type of footballer that true blues have always identified with -- the terrace heroes who light up a dull Saturday afternoon with their style, passion and commitment to the cause. The concept of My Blue Heaven is simple -- interview the star names and ask them about their favourite games. So we hear from the striker who is still blamed for costing City a league title and the forward who helped City thrash United 5-0 at Old Trafford. Then there's the goalkeeper who put in two FA Cup Final Man of the Match performances but still ended up on the losing side and the veteran defender whose first goal for the Blues remains his most treasured memory. Players featured and interviewed in 'My Blue Heaven' are: Alan Oakes, Alex Williams, Clive Allen, Clive Wilson, David White, Ian Bishop, Joe Corrigan, Ken Barnes, Mark Lillis, Paddy Fagan, Paul Lake, Paul Power, Paul Walsh, Peter Barnes, Rodney Marsh, Roy Little, Tommy Booth and Uwe Rosler. { 182pp, 140x215mm, February 2004; PB, £10.99, 1901746380:9781901746389 , Empire Publications } |
| OUT OF THE VOID : The Primal Scream Story [Brendan Yates] Few bands have persevered like Primal Scream. From leather-clad indie icons to electro punk rockers, they have frequently appealed to and surprised their followers in equal measure since their chaotic beginnings in the mid '80's. In an era of manufactured pop, Primal Scream remain relevant and controversial and, unlike many of their peers, have the confidence and ability to switch easily between musical styles whilst retaining a togetherness that's seen them through the highs and lows of an amazing two decade career. They began life in Glasgow playing sweet '60's style pop and vulgar Stones inspired glam. Yet they appalled many of their fans by indulging in the nascent acid house movement of the late 80's. Their resulting third album, 'Screamadelica', is now looked upon as a landmark era-defining record that's been dubbed 'The E generation's Sergeant Pepper'. The success of singles like 'Loaded', 'Movin' On Up' and 'Rocks' ensured their place in the pantheon of street bands that invaded the charts in the early '90's, while the accompanying live performances were a fascinating and cleansing mix of music, drugs and good times. But, as with their previous incarnations, Primal Scream were not prepared to stand still. By the turn of the millennium the band launched into a style imaginatively referred to as 'disco punk' and performed some of the greatest shows of their career, cementing their reputation with both fans and critics as stylish and composed innovators. Throughout, the band's figurehead Bobby Gillespie has maintained a regular presence in the music press. His ability to switch between opinions on subjects as diverse as music, world politics, racism and drugs has provided a welcome contrast from many of today's contrived stars and this lucidity has made him one of music journalism's best friends and most fascinating characters. ‘Out of the Void' is the story of one of the most influential and often misunderstood British bands of the last 20 years. Author Brendan Yates looks back at their many incarnations, including Gillespie's journey through celebrated post-punk brats The Jesus And Mary Chain, his bands' relationship with numerous producers and their importance to the legacy of the now legendary Creation Records label. { 262pp, 140x215mm, March 2004; PB, £9.99, 1901746364:9781901746365 , Empire Publications } |
| QUIZ SETTING MADE EASY [John Dawson; Foreword by Michael Penrice, Mastermind Champion] Dawson explores the very essence of human existence. In his case the answer to the ancient philosophical conundrum ‘What sets humans apart from the animal kingdom?' is straightforward. It is not the ability to form tools, communicate or feel empathy with our fellow planet dwellers but our desire to acquire (and retain) as much trivia as possible. In brief, this is his explanation for modern Britain's obsession with the pub quiz and the consequent growth in the number of question and answer books, many of which have been published under the misapprehension that all a budding quiz setter needs to succeed is a large enough selection of questions that can be adapted according to circumstance. Yet, as Quiz Setting Made Easy makes clear, there are many pitfalls for the budding Magnus Magnusson, not least the murmurs of complaint from contestants attempting to answer vaguely worded and poorly researched questions. Then there are the potential disasters and the nagging doubts that bring the quiz setter out in a cold sweat in the middle of the night: Does the venue have a PA system? How do I make sure people turn up? What happens in the event of a tie? Who marks the questions, them or me? Written in light-hearted vein, Quiz Setting Made Easy is designed to soothe the quiz setter's brow and bring back the fun to what is, after all, a leisure-time pursuit. In addition to his expert advice on the dos and don'ts of quiz setting, John illustrates the style and expertise required of the fully fledged question-master. With 72 rounds containing over 1,100 expertly worded questions, John Dawson makes enough suggestions for alternative topics, interval rounds, tie-breakers and music rounds to keep a quiz-setter going for years. His ideas could also be adapted for use in the classroom, during wet weekends in Cleethorpes or the 90 degrees heat of an M6 traffic jam... in fact anywhere humans pursue the trivial. { 194pp, 130x200mm, August 2004; PB, £7.99, 1901746402:9781901746402 , Empire Publications } |
| REAL JASON ROBINSON [His 'Right Hand Man' Dave Swanton] As the scorer of the only try in England’s historic World Cup victory in 2003, Jason Robinson’s career has scaled the peaks. Yet while his career has been statistically impressive -- with 37 tries in 102 starts for Sale, 22 tries in his 35 England appearances and a remarkable 11 tries in 10 Lions appearances -- it is perhaps for his character and personal achievements that Jason is best loved. As England’s first black Rugby Union captain. Jason has given what has in the past been regarded as a stuffy, public school game a much wider profile. Away from the pitch, Jason’s conversion from bad lad to religious family man has made him a role model and, while this part of his career has been well-chronicled little is known about the man behind the achievements -- his sense of fun, love of practical jokes and fast food in equal measure. Author Dave Swanton delves behind the public persona of ‘Billy Whizz’, a nickname he acquired at Wigan in his Rugby League days. Swanton first saw Jason Robinson play for Wigan in 1992 while working for Warrington Wolves. When Dave later joined Wigan as PR man in 1998 their careers became inextricably linked. Their paths continued to be intertwined when Jason moved across to Rugby Union with Sale Sharks in 2000, shortly after Swanny became Media and PR Manager. For the last eight years Jason Robinson has called him his ‘right hand man’. Together Swanny and Robbo have fuelled the rise of Sale from suburban Rugby Union club to a Premiership team challenging for European honours. When they joined, Sale were still adjusting to the demands of the newly professionalised game, playing before crowds of 3,000 at the quiet bonhomie of their Heywood Road home. 5 years on, the club groundshare with Stockport County, have seen their average gate rise to nearly 10,000 and regularly challenge for the top European and domestic honours. Jason’s subsequent disappointments with the England and Lions teams are also documented and only serve to throw into sharp relief his previous achievements. Yet Jason remains most famous for the dazzling side-steps that form the basis of his elusive running style. As Neil Squires of the Daily Express discovered when invited to tackle a rampant Robbo in training, ‘One moment a rapidly approaching Jason Robinson is filling my vision, the next he is nowhere to be seen. There is no hole in the ground, no scorched grass, not even a sound as he vanishes. It’s like tackling a gust of wind. Robinson’s step, Rugby’s most watchable magic trick, is even more jaw dropping from the pitch than the stands. The balance and acceleration belong to one of the most highly tuned sports cars, the change of direction to a zigzag’. { 193pp, 140x225mm, October 2005; HB, £17.95, 1901746488:9781901746488 , Empire Publications } |
| S F BARNES : His Life & Times [Andrew Searle] At a time when cricketers were either Gentlemen or Players, S F Barnes was a professional through and through, his long and varied career lasting well into his sixties. This is his biography. { 206pp, 150x210mm, June 1997; HB, £14.95, 1901746003:9781901746006 , Empire Publications } |
| SIR ALEX, UNITED & ME : A Tale of Footballing Obsession [Andy Pacino; Foreword by Sir Alex Ferguson] Manchester United fans have a fickle reputation. Players are often singled out for criticism while others can get away with murder. This was never truer than in the late 1980s when Ferguson, following a stuttering start to his Old Trafford career, was scapegoated by supporters. Here the author, one of the few to have actively supported United's manager during this bleak period, details his remarkable relationship with United's legendary manager. { 310pp, 110x180mm, December 2002; PB, £8.99, 1901746313:9781901746310 , Empire Publications } |
| STANDING THE TEST OF TIME : The Autobiography of Bill Alley [Bill Alley & Pat Symes (ed); Foreword by Tom Graveney OBE] Originally suppressed by the Test and County Cricket Board in 1985, 'Standing the Test of Time' is the controversial autobiography of the respected Test umpire and former Somerset cricket legend Bill Alley, revised and updated to include recent developments in the world game. Now in his 80th year and still living in Taunton, Alley tells of his remarkable rise from poverty in New South Wales, through Colne in the Lancashire League and breaking countless county records with Somerset, to umpiring on the international stage. { 197pp, 140x220mm, April 1999; HB, £16.95, 1901746062:9781901746068 , Empire Publications } |
| STARMAKER : The Untold Story of Jimmy Murphy [Brian Hughes MBE] When Jimmy Murphy arrived at Old Trafford in 1946 he was greeted by the ruins of what had once been one of the wonders of pre-war Manchester. The stadium was a bombed-out wreck while the players trained on a patch of dangerous gravel and the club reeled from the embarrassment of playing their 'home' games at Maine Road. By the time Murphy packed his bags and left Old Trafford for the last time, Manchester United were world-famous: they had been conquered by and then conquered Europe, raised the profile of English league football to a degree unimaginable before the war and touched the hearts of millions in the process. Alongside Matt Busby, the Welshman with an Irish name had made an English club the most famous name in the world. Matt Busby called Jimmy Murphy "my first signing and, my most important". Where Matt was the diplomatic frontman and manager, Jimmy was the firebrand who instilled the passion in Manchester United. It is true to say that United would not be the club they are today without Jimmy Murphy; his passion and determination made Busby's vision a reality. Nevertheless his is a tale untold -- the true story of his vital role in the birth of Manchester United is long overdue for examination and is vital to understanding the romance surrounding the club. { 266pp, 150x210mm, August 2004; HB, £16.95, 1901746267:9781901746266 , Empire Publications } |
| THINK-CRICKET : Compete Mentally [Christopher Bazalgette & John Appleyard] The majesty of the game of cricket is that it is not just a physical activity. It is not simply a matter of how strong or tough one is, or how fast one can run, but a combination of the mental and physical strengths and abilities needed to outwit your opposition. This book stresses that there is much more to the game when your mind is fully focused. It aims to open everyone's mind to a wider dimension of the game, and to provide a subtle awareness that should mean better results. Many cricketers, even those participating every week, do so without realising how their performance can be improved dramatically. The book is for amateur cricketers who lack the resources to look at videos of those who are going to oppose them, as do professional cricketers, and have no professional coach to remind them of what to look for in each game they play. However, everything discussed in this book should be equally valuable at whatever level you are playing, but it is the amateur or club cricketer who has the most to gain. Apart from such cricketers in the Test Match playing countries that are full members of ICC, those in the ever-increasing number of associate and affiliate member countries will benefit from reading this book. Both authors have been associated with and have played in many of the above-mentioned countries and throughout the world. { 84pp, 110x175mm, December 2002; PB, £6.00, 1901746186:9781901746181 , Empire Publications } |
| THIS SIMPLE GAME : The Footballing Life of Ken barnes [As Told to Jimmy Wagg] Ken Barnes was widely regarded as one of the finest footballers of his generation never to have won an England cap. During a distinguished playing career with Manchester City, Ken appeared in the FA Cup finals of 1955 and 1956 and later captained the club before retiring in the early 60s. He spent nearly a decade away from Maine Road as a manager of Wrexham and Witton Albion before returning to Maine Road as a coach under Joe Mercer. Ken subsequently went on to serve under every City manager as either a coach or chief scout from Joe Mercer to Joe Royle. As someone who holds forthright views on the game, especially when it comes to the subject of coaching, Ken's views could be dismissed as the 'in my day' rantings of another embittered former pro. Yet one should bear in mind that his integrity and knowledge of the game saw him serve under every Manchester City manager from Joe Mercer to Joe Royle. In his time Ken has seen trends come and go -- from the 'deep lying centre-forward' via 'wingless wonders' to today's 'holding midfielder' and is uniquely placed to give his opinions on them all. Away from football, Ken is described as a 'character'. Make of that what you will. That may be a tale for another day. This is the story of Ken’s life in football. I’m honoured, and privileged, that he asked me to help him tell it. { 190pp, 145x225mm, November 2005; HB, £17.95, 1901746496:9781901746495 , Empire Publications } |
| THREE CURRIES & A SHISH KEBAB : ...and Other Spicy Tales from a Sports Writer's Notebook [Richard Bott; Foreword by Sir Alex Ferguson] Former Sunday Express chief soccer writer Richard Bott's wry and humorous look at his 40 years in sports writing. { 182pp, 150x210mm, May 1998; PB, £7.99, 190174602X:9781901746020 , Empire Publications } |
| THREE IN A ROW : A Fan's Eye View of United's Championship Hat-Trick [Paul Windridge & Linda Harvey] A season of triumph for United or one of frustrated ambition? The jury is still out on season 2000-01, if only because another championship was followed by a hasty Champions League exit and trouble between Alex Ferguson and the board. When Sir Alex Ferguson became the first manager to win three championships in a row, it set the seal on another successful season at Old Trafford. From August to the start of the New Year, United were as irresistible as usual. But by Spring, despite an imminent championship, there were rumours that United's most successful manager of all time had fallen out with the board. Following United's exit from the Champions League, the grumbling at boardroom and terrace level grew to fever pitch. So much so that by the final fixture of the season rumour and theory had replaced sanity on the terraces, with most fans convinced 'the Wizard' was on his way out. As ever there's rarely a dull moment at Old Trafford. From the debate over standing to the creeping (and not so creeping) commercialism within the club, to the threats made by Trafford Borough Council and the arrival of a new chairman, United supporters had more to worry about than mere football. Linda Harvey and Paul Windridge write passionately about the events that mattered to United fans last season. From the ecstasy of a 6-1 romp against championship rivals Arsenal to the agony of defeat in Munich via a brief return for hated rivals Manchester City. Experience the highs and lows of Sir Alex Ferguson's penultimate season in charge. { 336pp, 110x175mm, December 2002; PB, £7.99, 1901746240:9781901746242 , Empire Publications } |
| TWO FACES OF LEE HARVEY OSWALD : A Tale of Deception, Betrayal & Murder [Glenn B Fleming] Of all the millions of words written in anger or certainty regarding arguably the greatest murder mystery of all time, the assassination of President John Fitzgerald Kennedy, one testimony remains glaringly absent. The deposition of Lee Harvey Oswald, the alleged assassin, was silenced by Jack Ruby's bullet before he could tell his story to a shocked and grieving world. The Two Faces of Lee Harvey Oswald is a unique work. No other book in the public domain concentrates on Lee Oswald's point of view; a young man caught up by, then hopelessly trapped in, history. From the moment of his return from the Soviet Union, Oswald became tangled in a web of intrigue, deception and murder. And yet, no amount of speculation or rumour mongering can lend history in general and Oswald in particular, his own words. "I'm just a patsy!" Oswald screamed, as he was led along a corridor in the Dallas Police Building, shortly after his arrest that fateful weekend. We will never truly know how innocent, or guilty, Oswald was. But his memory deserves a hearing. The most accurate hearing possible. { 298pp, 135x215mm, March 2004; PB, £8.99, 1901746372:9781901746372 , Empire Publications } |
| VIOLLET : The Life of a Legendary Goalscorer [Roy Cavanagh & Brian Hughes MBE] A legendary goalscorer and Busby Babe, Dennis Viollet's career took in tragedy and triumph in equal measure. As a player he thrilled thousands as an outstanding teenage footballer with Manchester United's all-conquering Babes, developing an almost telepathic understanding with fellow striker Tommy Taylor. Later, after surviving the Munich air disaster, Viollet broke Manchester United's record for goals in a season -- a mark he still holds despite the attempts of Van Nistlerooy, Law, Cantona, Hughes and Cole. Along with Wilf McGuinness, Dennis campaigned for the abolition of the maximum wage which saw United's greatest ever goal-poacher on wages of £20 per week. But by 1961 Dennis was mysteriously transferred from Old Trafford without a word from Matt Busby, the club or a good luck farewell from fans -- United even denied the goalscoring legend a testimonial. Rather than dwell on his misfortune however, Dennis began a second career at Stoke City alongside Sir Stanley Matthews. There he helped the Potters win promotion back to Division One and, once he hung his boots up in 1967, received the testimonial he should have received in Manchester. In the second half of his life Dennis became ‘Coach Viollet', a respected member of the British coaching establishment in the United States. But in 1998 Dennis fell ill and died, after a painful illness, in his adopted home of Florida in March 1999. A gentleman footballer from a bygone age, Dennis was a loveable rogue, a charmer in turn of both the opposite sex and opposing defences: Dennis didn't so much bludgeon opposing defenders as pick their pockets. In this respect he was ahead of his time, a Manchester lad with the brains, style and skills of a continental forward. REVIEW: "Viollet called his unwritten autobiography ‘The Kings Have Gone' -- this excellent work restores one of them to his throne..." -- Book of the Week, The Independent. "Entertaining and richly anecdotal..." -- Les Scott, Stoke Sentinel. { 336pp, 155x230mm, April 2004; PB, £11.99, 1901746399:9781901746396 , Empire Publications } |