Brian Belton – författare

This book tells the fascinating story of West Ham United Football Club during the First World War, charting the relationship between war and football by following the pursuits of West Ham from 1913/14 to 1918/19. In many ways, it was their success in wartime competitions that led to them being accepted into the Football League in 1919, paving the way for subsequent FA Cup and League success. As well as a football story, this book is about the impact of the war on Britain. It documents the social implications of war on Londoners and the social and political influence of football, the armed forces and civilians alike. Looking closely at the 13th Service Battalion, also known as the ‘West Ham Pals’, the book includes such players as George Kay, Ted Hufton, and their manager and coach, Syd King and Charlie Paynter respectively.

In 1938 Arthur George Wilkinson became the first West Ham speedway rider to win the World Championship, and he remains one of the great names of the sport today. Bluey, as the diminutive Australian was universally known, carved his name into the annals of speedway history with a mixture of will, concentration, boldness and power that has rarely been matched by other riders.Wilkinson's story is set in the 1930s, the early days of oval motorcycle racing in Australia and Britain. This was West Ham's golden era, culminating in their Championship year of 1937, and the period in which the 'Custom House Comet' became a legend. Brian Belton is an East End native, whose family have supported West Ham speedway from the very beginning. In this book he brings to life that Claret and Bluey decade which is now part of the history and folklore of London's Docklands.

Few people associate baseball with Great Britain, but for a brief period in the 1930s, America's pastime nearly gained a foothold with the British populace. Though never as popular as the beloved football clubs, or even greyhound races, baseball teams like the West Ham Hammers developed intense local followings, and played some excellent baseball--in 1936, the Hammers defeated the U.S. Olympic team. The outbreak of World War II ended the rising popularity of baseball among Britons, but speculation remains that, under different circumstances, British baseball could have flourished.This book traces the history of baseball as a popular British sport, concentrating on one particularly successful and notable team, the West Ham Hammers. It places the West Ham club within the historical context of 1930s Great Britain, and covers team management, major players (e.g., Roland Gladu, the "Canadian Babe Ruth"), and the fans, many of whom still cling fondly to faded memories of the club and West Ham Stadium. Eight appendices include team rosters, British baseball rules, and year-by-year records from 1890 to 2005.

War Hammers II, the sequel to the fascinating story of the club during the First World War, looks at the achievements and developments of the Upton Park heroes throughout the Second World War. West Ham United was forced to adapt in the dark days of the 1940s, building the outlook and approach that would eventually give rise to the club's most successful period, and establishing a culture of style and support that is still present today. Exploring the power, politics and intrigue of wartime football, a detailed account is given of the Irons’ 1940 War Cup victory and of those who played for the club between 1939 and 1945. Author Brian Belton includes huge global events and many local incidents within the context of the club’s history, to create a book that is sure to fascinate and entertain football fans and historians alike.

This book is a fascinating and entertaining mixture of the history and characters of the darts world. It features player profiles, trivia – including players' walk-on music, quickest matches, longest matches, 9-dart finishes, the most loved and hated players and celebrity fans – as well as a treasure trove of statistical information. As such, all the tension, glory, complexity and irony of the ‘art of the arras’ is portrayed. Funny, interesting and perplexing, the reader will smile, reminisce, laugh and occasionally experience bewilderment as the spirit of the oche is brought to life. The wit and skill of players is mixed with expressions of frustration, pain, confusion and anguish. Fighters, moaners, clowns and philosophers rub shoulders between the pages, creating an atmosphere that anyone who has either watched or played the game will recognise. With this book, Brian Belton hits the bullseye of a simple passion that has enjoyed a massive resurgence of popularity in recent years.