The biography of Republic of Ireland international Clare Shine, written with Gareth Maher of the FAI has been longlisted for the prestigious William Hill Sports Book of the Year.
The Award has been running since 1989 and the only Irish winners in that time have been Paul Kimmage, 32 years ago, and more recently Paul Gibson in 2018 for The Lost Soul of Eamon Magee.
This year, 158 books were entered, with books exploring tennis, football, athletics, golf, rugby and cycling among those making the longlist. The 15-book longlist features an array of autobiographies along with accounts of racism and sexism in sport, sports data and the business of sports including the Tour de France.
The award has a £30,000 cash prize for the winner and the shortlisted authors will each receive £3,000 and a leather-bound copy of their book.
The shortlist will be unveiled on 27th October, with the winner declared on 1st December at an official award ceremony in London.
“This year, we received an unprecedented number of great entries from talented authors and publishers, and whittling these down to our top 15 was no small feat,” said judge Matt Williams.
“There were many fantastic books which I would pick up and re-read over and over again that didn’t make the cut, which highlights just how impressive and well-written the books that made the longlist are.”
“Racism and discrimination in sport, women’s football and the devastating effects of early onset dementia are just some of the diverse themes our longlist authors have covered, and are all huge topics in today’s sporting industry.”
“It’s been truly an honour to have been part of the judging team for this year’s William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award and be able to read so many inspirational books from the most talented authors, which all should be recognised for their great literature. I look forward to seeing which of our longlist comes out on top.”
By way of a reading list for those who love sport and books, here are the 15 longlisted books for this year:
Be Good, Love Brian: Growing Up with Brian Clough by Craig Bromfield
The Master: The Brilliant Career of Roger Federer by Christopher Clarey
1999: Manchester United, the Treble and All That by Matt Dickinson
Le Fric: Family, Power and Money: The Business of the Tour de France by Alex Duff
I Love This Game by Patrice Evra
England Football: The Biography: 1872-2022 by Paul Hayward
God is Dead: The Rise and Fall of Frank Vandenbroucke, Cycling’s Great Wasted Talent by Andy McGrath
My Hidden Race by Anyika Onuora
Scoring Goals in the Dark by Clare Shine with Gareth Maher
Phil: The Rip-Roaring (and Unauthorised) Biography of Golf’s Most Colourful Superstar by Alan Shipnuck
Expected Goals: The Story of how Data Conquered Football and Changed the Game Forever by Rory Smith
Unforgettable: Rugby, Dementia and the Fight of My Life by Steve Thompson
Beryl: In Search of Britain’s Greatest Athlete, Beryl Burton by Jeremy Wilson
Two Brothers: The Life and Times of Bobby and Jackie Charlton by Jonathan Wilson
A Woman’s Game: The Rise, Fall and Rise Again of Women’s Football by Suzanne Wrack
