Iain Spragg – författare

The Little Book of England Football is the latest volume in this highly successful series of sports-themed quotes books. It is dedicated to all things wide and wonderful about the Three Lions, focusing on the words of wit and wisdom from former players, such as Bobby Moore, Gazza and Gary Lineker, to the key men in today's set-up including manager Gareth Southgate and captain Harry Kane. Ingerlund! Ingerlund! Ingerlund!

Welcome to the weird, wonderful and two-wheeled world of cycling. Though this isnt the usual side of professional cycling the newspapers report. This is the real world of cycling, the strange and twisted nooks and crannies of the sports bizarre history! Cycling is nearly two hundred years old. The velocipede invented by Baron Karl von Drais in 1817 started the craze for the two-wheeled machine that has had a renaissance few would have predicted. During those decades, bicycles have thrown up more than their fair share of extraordinary and bizarre stories. Iain Spragg has trawled the bicycle history books to give you the most fascinating collection of stories, from the first bicycle trip across the globe (an Englishman on a penny farthing in 1886, of course), the 1904 Tour de France winner who was disqualified when it emerged he had caught the train, the 1937 Japanese invasion of China spearheaded by 50,000 bicycle-mounted troops, and the Japanese enthusiast who stayed stationary on a bike for 5 and a half hours in 1965. With stories from amateur and professional cycling, this is a thoroughly entertaining collection of tales for any two-wheeled enthusiast.

London''s Royal Palaces are still some of the most visited places in England. A great deal of their official histories are well known. But London''s Strangest Tales: Historic Royal Palaces reveals the bizarre, funny and surreal events and episodes that have occurred over the centuries on the grounds of these beautiful buildings. It gives an alternative history: from the wandering inebriated zebras at the Tower of London, the cricket ball that probably killed a king, and the mystery of Kew''s disappearing mosque.This is a wonderful collection for anyone with an interest in the history and heritage of our palaces and in London life generally.

A lot of rucking and mauling has gone on since William Webb Ellis first picked up the ball and ran, but this doughty little book heroically manages to capture the true essence of the daddy of all oval ball games in just 80 minutes. This is the story of rugby as never been told before: a jinking, weaving compilation of surreal match reports, spoof correspondence and quirky cartoons. From the playing fields of Edwardian England's public schools to the canopied splendour of Cardiff's Millennium Stadium, the game's towering achievements, hilarious happenings and ludicrous coincidences are entertainingly recalled.

Welcome to the weird and wonderful world of London''s Underground, or as it is affectionately referred to, the Tube. Though this isn’t the usual side of the Tube the tourists, travellers and residents see. (Though, of course, they do see a great deal of strangeness in their daily commutes!). This is the real Underground, the strange and twisted nooks and crannies of what happens hundreds of metres below millions of London legs – from its peculiar past through to its paranormal present and looking forward to its fascinating future. Following on from the bestselling Portico Strangest titles now comes a book devoted to London''s globally envied, and much loved, public transport system. Located deep beneath the heart of Greater London, the Underground is awash with more strangeness than you can shake your pre-paid Oyster card at. In 2013 the whole city will be celebrating the Underground''s 150th birthday – the oldest underground in the world. So, pack up your old kit bag and travel stop-by-stop with us on this strange and fantastic journey along the Northern, Picadilly, Metropolitan, Jubilee, Hammersmith and City and District Line … and explore the Underground as you''ve never seen it before.London Underground''s Strangest Tales is a treasure trove of the humorous, the odd and the baffling – an alternative travel guide to the Underground''s best-kept secrets. Read on, if you dare! You have been warned.Word Count: 35,000

The 19th-century MP John Burns described the Thames as 'liquid history' and ever since the Romans founded Londinium in 43 AD, the river has played a key cultural and economic, political and social role in the history of England. London's Strangest: The Thames reveals the bizarre, funny and surreal events and episodes that have occurred over the centuries on, beneath and along the banks of the famous waterway. From appearances of the world's first submarine to the raid on the Sex Pistols river concert, Lord Nelson's final journey to John Prescott's watery protest, and even the recent escapades during the floods, the River Thames really has witnessed it all.

A quirky collection of true stories from the weird and wonderful world of Shakespearean theatre, featuring distinguished actors falling off stages, fluffed lines, performances in the dark, and why you must never, ever say the name of that Scottish play, especially if you are Peter O'Toole.A fascinating playbill of stories from the weird and wonderful world of Shakespearean theatre through the centuries, including distinguished actors falling off stages, fluffed lines, performances in the dark, and why you must never, ever say the name of that Scottish play, especially if you are Peter O'Toole. Discover a wealth of Shakespearean shenanigans over the years, including the terrible behaviour of the groundlings at Shakespeare's Globe, how the 'rude mechanicals' in A Midsummer Night's Dream got recast as a bunch of ladies from the WI, and how Dame Maggie Smith got even with Sir Laurence Olivier.Published to coincide with the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death, this treasury of curious tales is a must-read for all Shakespeare lovers and theatre fans.Word count: 45,000

Running’s Strangest Tales is a fascinating collection of weird and wonderful stories from the world of running, from the earliest marathon to today’s high-tech, apped-up approach.Within these pages you’ll find the bizarre story of the Norwegian footballer forced to miss a crucial World Cup qualifier after colliding with a moose on his morning jog, the American ultra-marathoner who had all his toenails removed to improve his running, and why some runners at the 2015 Tokyo marathon were wearing GPS-enabled, edible bananas, complete with LEDs and incoming Twitter updates.Packed with tales that are so odd you’ll hardly believe them, this book makes the perfect gift for all running enthusiasts, from the seasoned marathoner to the park jogger, and those who only ever run a bath.Word count: 45,000

A fascinating playbill of stories from the weird and wonderful world of Shakespearean theatre through the centuries, including distinguished actors falling off stages, fluffed lines, performances in the dark, and why you must never, ever say the name of that Scottish play, especially if you are Peter O'Toole. Discover a wealth of Shakespearean shenanigans over the years, including the terrible behaviour of the groundlings at Shakespeare's Globe, how the 'rude mechanicals' in A Midsummer Night's Dream got recast as a bunch of ladies from the WI, and how Dame Maggie Smith got even with Sir Laurence Olivier.Published to coincide with the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death, this treasury of curious tales is a must-read for all Shakespeare lovers and theatre fans.Word count: 45,000

Running’s Strangest Tales is a fascinating collection of weird and wonderful stories from the world of running, from the earliest marathon to today’s high-tech, apped-up approach. Within these pages you’ll find the bizarre story of the Norwegian footballer forced to miss a crucial World Cup qualifier after colliding with a moose on his morning jog, the American ultra-marathoner who had all his toenails removed to improve his running, and why some runners at the 2015 Tokyo marathon were wearing GPS-enabled, edible bananas, complete with LEDs and incoming Twitter updates.Packed with tales that are so odd you’ll hardly believe them, this book makes the perfect gift for all running enthusiasts, from the seasoned marathoner to the park jogger, and those who only ever run a bath.Word count: 45,000

A quirky collection of true stories from the stranger side of cycling, including doughty Edwardian explorers, intrepid tightrope cyclists and a long-forgotten bike growing in a tree. Extraordinary but true stories from 200 years of cycling history. Part of the bestselling Strangest series, Cycling’s Strangest Tales is a quirky and fascinating collection of stories from cycling’s history. Included are stories of Thomas Stevens, the doughty Englishman who circumnavigated the world on a penny farthing, the 1904 Tour de France winner who was disqualified for catching the train, the 1937 Japanese invasion of China spearheaded by 50,000 bicycle-mounted troops, and the man who soared over nine circus elephants on an ordinary yellow bike. The stories come from every corner of the cycling world, whether it’s the open road, the velodrome or the BMX track.Brought bang up to date for 2017 with a selection of new stories, Cycling’s Strangest Tales is the perfect gift for anyone who’s in love with life on two wheels.Word count: 45,000

A hilarious assortment of the weirdest and wackiest tales ever to come out of the classroom – and they’re all true. Featuring the flamboyant swimming teacher who spent his spare time fighting bears, the story of how a fight with his teacher paved the way for Al Capone’s infamous crime empire, and the bizarre tale of the American teacher who sued her own pupils for not paying attention in her lesson, this book is a real education.An ideal end-of-year teacher gift, this fascinating book is also a must-read for anyone who’s ever been to school. So stop talking at the back, pay attention and start reading!Word count: 45,000

Extraordinary but true stories from 200 years of cycling history. Part of the bestselling Strangest series, Cycling’s Strangest Tales is a quirky and fascinating collection of stories from cycling’s history. Included are stories of Thomas Stevens, the doughty Englishman who circumnavigated the world on a penny farthing, the 1904 Tour de France winner who was disqualified for catching the train, the 1937 Japanese invasion of China spearheaded by 50,000 bicycle-mounted troops, and the man who soared over nine circus elephants on an ordinary yellow bike. The stories come from every corner of the cycling world, whether it’s the open road, the velodrome or the BMX track.Brought bang up to date for 2017 with a selection of new stories, Cycling’s Strangest Tales is the perfect gift for anyone who’s in love with life on two wheels.Word count: 45,000

The Wit and Wisdom of Ted Lasso has many amusing quotes from the show,including many classic one-liners from Ted and the rest of the incredible cast,as well as fun facts and stats about the actors and characters. Not to mentiontea, scones and soccer. The phenomenon that is Ted Lasso is not going away any time soon.This super-funny show about an American coach who comes to England to runa Premier League football team has captured the hearts of television watchersaround the world – as well as caught the eye of critics and prize-givers worldwide.Perhaps it is the feel-good nature of the show and its timing that has seen itawarded Emmy awards aplenty, as well as many others.

The enduring pride of Tyneside, Newcastle United's illustrious history is the story of a love affair between the club and the city that began in 1892 and has only grown stronger over the decades. Four-time champions of England and winners of six FA Cups, the Magpies are synonymous with entertainment, drama and passion.Saluting the club's most iconic players, teams and managers, from Jackie Milburn to Alan Shearer, Kevin Keegan to Paul Gascoigne, Newcastle United Legends also celebrates the Magpies' most memorable matches over the last 133 years, including their emotional Wembley triumph in the League Cup final in 2025."It's the noise, the passion, the feeling of belonging, the pride in your city," the late, great Sir Bobby Robson famously said about the club. "It's a small boy clambering up stadium steps for the very first time, gripping his father's hand, gawping at that hallowed stretch of turf beneath him and, without being able to do a thing about it, falling in love."

The magic of the oche is legendary and with a global audience of millions darts is a sporting juggernaut which always delivers entertainment and drama. Boasting more characters than an episode of Eastenders, the game exploded in the 1980s thanks to Eric Bristow and friends and since the golden days of the Crafty Cockney, darts has been blessed with larger-than-life heroes like Phil Taylor, Michael van Gerwen and lately teenage tyro Luke "The Nuke" Littler.

Celebrated as the greatest soccer player in the history of the game, Lionel Messi's record-breaking career is a story of unprecedented goals and glory. The Inter Miami CF and Argentina superstar's remarkable achievements have made him one of the world's most famous athletes and a player who is always synonymous with entertainment, style and passion.

The manager who finally brought the Premier League title back to Anfield after 30 long years, Jürgen Klopp’s legendary status at Liverpool is assured. The German won seven major trophies on Merseyside between 2015 and 2024 and the rollercoaster ride he embarked on with the club was one full of undiluted drama, full- throttle football and repeated scenes of joyous celebration.

The pinnacle of motorsport, Formula One was born in 1950 at the British Grand Prix and ever since the inaugural Silverstone race has repeatedly delivered drama, unforgettable drives and controversy both on and off the track. Celebrating three quarters of a century of high-octane thrills and spills in 2025, it boasts a global fan base of millions and remains a byword for entertainment and petrol-infused exhilaration. 75 Years of Formula One charts the fascinating history of Grand Prix racing over its first eight decades of action, telling the unique story of how F1 grew irresistibly from a modest, predominantly European event with only seven races into a worldwide sporting phenomenon. The book also profiles the F1 World Championship’s legendary drivers from iconic Argentinian Juan Manuel Fangio to the inimitable Ayrton Senna, Jackie Stewart to the unstoppable Michael Schumacher, all the way up to modern greats Lewis Hamilton and reigning world champion Max Verstappen.

An undisputed and unmistakable automotive icon now celebrating its seventh glorious decade, the first ever Porsche 911 rolled off the production line in Stuttgart in 1963 and, more than a million cars later, has unfailingly kept faith in its classic design. The alleged mechanical heresy of its rear-engine layout, allied with its achingly endless curves, has ensured the 911’s longevity and created a global superstar on both the road and the track that is a byword for style and performance. Over the years the car has evolved but at its heart still proudly boasts the same intoxicating combination of striking looks and a unique driving experience.The Legendary Porsche 911 charts the fascinating history of the model series and features detailed coverage of the all the most prominent iterations of the vehicle from its debut appearance at the Frankfurt Motor Show to today’s 992 GTS RS. It also lifts the wraps on the ultra rare 911s that are the collector’s dream; recalls the race cars that frequently took the laurel wreaths at Le Mans, Daytona and Targa Florio; and pays homage to the high-performance road cars designed to make heads turn, showcasing the many cultural aspects that make the 911 an inimitable global phenomenon.

The Wit and Wisdom of Dad's Army is packed with amusing quotes from the TVshow, including many classic one-liners from Captain Mainwaring and the rest ofthe incredible cast, as well as fun facts and stats about the actors and characters.Not to mention swagger sticks, sausages and knitted scarves.First broadcast by the BBC in the summer of 1968, the show chronicles the trials andtribulations of an elderly band of volunteers in the Home Guard in the fictional seasideresort of Walmington-on-Sea. Their mission to defend the town against a potentialGerman invasion is an unfailingly accident-prone one over nine series, which regularlydrew audiences of over 10 million.The appeal of Dad's Army is rooted in the gentle charm of its characters and theircollective mishaps before, either by design or accident, they invariably snatch unlikelyvictory from the jaws of chaotic defeat.An iconic British sitcom that has stood the test of time, Dad's Army is a nationalinstitution and comedy masterpiece.

Golf has a way of sneaking into your life. One weekend you’re swinging casually at a local course; the next, you’ve got a handicap and opinions on shaft flex. Originating in the windswept fields of Scotland centuries ago, golf has grown into a global pastime played by tens of millions – from Turnberry to Tokyo.It can humble you on a Tuesday and have you floating home on a Wednesday. One perfect shot, and you’re already booked in for next weekend before you’ve left the 18th green. It’s in those moments that golfers understand why they keep coming back – the quiet focus of a long putt, the camaraderie of a good round with friends, and the thrill of a perfectly struck shot. The game has given us storied legends, from Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus to Seve Ballesteros, Tiger Woods, and the imperious Rory McIlroy, and every generation discovers new reasons to fall in love with the game.There are countless reasons why golfers around the world love this game and here are 101 of the best – and most painfully relatable – of them.

Fishing is one of the world's most popular pastimes, and it's not hard to see why. Millions of people worldwide have caught the bug - and once you're hooked, there's no going back. From canal banks and reservoir car parks to remote highland lochs and tropical blue water, fishing has a way of getting under your skin like nothing else. It's a sport with more opinions than a tackle shop on a Saturday morning, a rich cast of characters, and enough tall tales to fill a library. Whether you're a fly purist who wouldn't be seen dead near a tin of maggots, or a carp angler who's practically moved into a bivvy on the bank, one thing unites every angler on the planet - the belief that today might just be the day.Here are 101 reasons why the world loves fishing.

An automotive vision that's been building for over a century, the sports car represents the ultimate expression of speed, style and the thrill of driving.This comprehensive volume takes you on an exhilarating journey through a hundred years of automotive excellence. Buckle up as we travel from the pioneering vintage sports cars of the 1920s to today's cutting-edge supercars, exploring the machines that have defined what it means to drive with passion.Experience the golden age of motoring, when elegant curves met raw performance - witness Enzo Ferrari's race-bred masterpieces, the revolutionary gullwing doors of the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL, and Carroll Shelby's audacious Cobra that rewrote the rules of American performance. From the sublime beauty of the Jaguar E-Type to the charm of British roadsters, the power of American icons, and the radical vision of Italian supercars, each generation witnessed bold experiments that transformed the relationship between driver and machine.With breathtaking photography and expert insight into the design, engineering and legacy of each model, Legendary Sports Cars is the ultimate tribute to automotive excellence and the enduring pursuit of the perfect driving machine.

"The desire to fly is an idea handed down to us by our ancestors who looked enviously on the birds soaring freely through space on the infinite highway of the air." Wilbur WrightThe twentieth century was still in its infancy when the Wright Brothers famously changed the course of human history in late 1903 when they achieved the elusive first-ever powered flight. Their "Wright Flyer" was airborne for just 12 seconds but it was long enough to change everything.This comprehensive volume celebrates the incredible and rapid evolution of the magnificent flying machines that have eagerly followed in the slipstream of the "Flyer" over the intervening century and more. From the WWI era of the inimitable Sopwith Camel and feared Fokker D.VII to their WWII successors, the formidable Messerschmitt Bf 109 and iconic Spitfire, and into a new commercial age dominated by Lockheed, Boeing and Airbus, the incredible advance in aircraft technology since the 1900s has been inexorable.

The manager who transformed Manchester City from occasional champions into the most dominant force English football has ever witnessed, Pep Guardiola’s place among the immortals of the game is beyond question.The Catalan arrived at the Etihad Stadium in 2016 already revered as a generational genius and proceeded to spend a decade proving every word of it. In ten extraordinary years on the blue half of Manchester, Guardiola accumulated 20 trophies, transformed how the Premier League could be played and won, and delivered City their long-dreamed-of first Champions League crown in that unforgettable treble season of 2022–23. His ‘Centurions’ side of 2017–18, the first team in English football history to reach 100 points, set a standard that remains untouched. Four consecutive Premier League titles – another achievement without precedent in the history of the English top flight – confirmed that under Guardiola, greatness was not an event but a habit.Long before he contemplated his farewell, Pep’s name was already spoken in the same breath as the club’s all-time greats, and rightly so. He didn’t just win at Manchester City. He changed what winning looked like. Relive the breathtaking Etihad era of the Catalan mastermind who made Manchester City the envy of the world.