The thrilling nature of professional sports makes it the ideal vehicle for authors to weave their magic and create truly immersive books about the subject.
With that in mind, we have scoured the internet to produce this list of ten books every fan should read, including one looking at the greatest English football managers of all-time.
Blood Horses: Notes of a Sportswriter’s Son – John Jeremiah Sullivan
John Jeremiah Sullivan’s first book began as a study of his late father, Mike, who had been a brilliant sportswriter for a Kentucky newspaper.
However, it turned into a deep dive into his father’s interest in legendary racehorse Secretariat, whose record-breaking exploits enthralled anyone who saw him race.
A Good Walk Spoiled: Days And Nights On The PGA Tour – John Feinstein
American sportswriter John Feinstein’s ‘A Good Walk Spoiled’ gives a fascinating insight into the major storylines with dominated the 1993/94 PGA Tour.
Featuring tales about superstars such as Nick Faldo, John Daly and Nick Price, this fabulous book is a must-read for anyone who has even just a passing interest in golf.
Pocket Money – Gordon Burn
Writer Gordon Burn spent a year covering snooker during its mid-1980s boom period, and struck gold with some of the stories which unfolded.
Promoter Barry Hearn’s growing influence on the sport plays a key role in ‘Pocket Money’, underpinning what is undoubtedly a classic sports book.
Provided You Don’t Kiss Me: 20 Years With Brian Clough – Duncan Hamilton
Numerous books have been written about former Nottingham Forest manager Brian Clough, but none are quite as insightful at ‘Provided You Don’t Kiss Me’.
Journalist Duncan Hamilton spent two decades working for a local Nottingham newspaper when Clough was in his pomp and did not waste the opportunity.
Laughing in the Hills – Bill Barich
Several life-changing events in his mid-30s led American writer Bill Barich to tell his wife he was moving into a motel next to Golden Gate Fields racetrack.
He then proceeded to write a brilliant book about events at the venue that put him on the map as an author and which every sports fan should put on their reading list.
Endless Winter: The Inside Story of the Rugby Revolution – Stephen Jones
Rugby union underwent some seismic changes during the 1990s, with the move towards professionalism sparking plenty of controversies.
‘Endless Winter’ is a laser-focused appraisal of what happened during that time, highlighting Stephen Jones’ ability to create magic with his words.
Friday Night Lights: A Town, a Team and a Dream – HG Bissinger
College football is a religion in many parts of the United States, particularly in Texas where many people treat it with more reverence than professional sport.
HG Bissinger’s ‘Friday Night Lights’ follows the Permian High School Panthers during their 1988 season and assesses how some people take their fandom too far.
Muhammad Ali: His Life and Times – Thomas Hauser
Many writers have attempted to document Muhammad Ali’s career, but none have done it with the same attention to detail as Thomas Hauser.
By weaving together stories from more than 200 people he had interviewed, including Ali, the gifted American author creates the most in-depth biography about the great man.
Dark Trade: Lost in Boxing – Don McRae
Often dubbed ‘the noble art’, boxing is also infamous for being a sport that many people simply cannot comprehend why others get involved.
Don McRae spent five years on the inside of boxing before producing ‘Dark Trade’ – a book which is a mind-blowing example of how to showcase the good, bad and ugly of any sport.
Moneyball: The Art of Winning an Unfair Game – Michael Lewis
American biographical sports drama film ‘Moneyball’ was based on Michael Lewis’ 2003 book of the same name and proved to be a massive hit.
Lewis tells the story of how the Oakland Athletics revolutionised player recruitment through the use of data. Even if you don’t understand baseball, this book is still fantastic.
