Eric Bristow MBE: The Crafty Cockney

The revealing autobiography of Eric Bristow, considered to be the greatest darts player of all time and a major force behind the transformation of darts into a worldwide spectator sport, discusses everything from his beginnings with the street gangs of London’s East End to his rule as the world number one and the training of his protégé Phil ‘The Power’ Taylor, as well as his devastating battles with dartitis. It was published by Century in 2008.  (JGH)

Martin Brundle: Working the Wheel

From Adelaide and Monte Carlo to Suzuka and Rio de Janeiro, Martin Brundle reveals the character and dangers of each track. As well as recounting his own personal experiences, he looks at the classic races, terrifying crashes and dramatic events that each has witnessed.  Written with Maurice Hamilton, this is an opinionated, funny, pacey and compelling read. Ebury 2004 (DL)

Terry Butcher: Butcher: My Autobiography

Terry Butcher chronicles his playing days from his time at Ipswich to his greatly successful spell at Glasgow Rangers, encompassing his career with the England team—which culminated in him captaining England to the semi-finals of the 1990 World Cup—and his later successes as a manager in both England and Scotland. Published by Highdown, 2005.  (JGH)

Jenson Button: My Championship Year

Charting the 2009 Formula season of Jenson Button and the Brawn GP team in the form of a personal diary, My Grand Prix Season relives practice and qualifying sessions and gives a detailed account of each race from the driver's perspective. Full of both personal and technical insight, Jenson gives us a unique view on a truly sensational season. Weidenfeld Illustrated, 2009.  (DL)

Mark Cavendish: Boy Racer

Mark Cavendish’s absorbing autobiography charts his rise from racing his BMX on the Isle of Man as a young boy to becoming Britain’s most successful ever Tour de France cyclist, and chronicles the entirety of his record-breaking 2008 Tour de France. The confident young man offers a candid viewpoint from the thick of the Tour. Boy Racer was published by Ebury Press in 2009.  (DL)

Celtic FC: The Best of the Celtic View

Containing extracts and covers from 100 memorable issues of the Celtic View, the first club publication in Britain, The Best of the Celtic View is a unique look down memory lane charting the highs and lows of one of Britain’s leading football clubs from their triumph in the European Cup in 1967 to their dominance of the Scottish Premier League since the turn of the millennium. Headline, 2007.  (JGH)

Barry Davies MBE: Interesting, Very Interesting

This enlightening autobiography of Barry Davies, the commentator who became known as the voice of British sport over a forty-year career covering not just football but the Olympic Games, the Boat Race and Wimbledon. He relives the most memorable sporting events of his career, including the Hand of God and England’s 1966 World Cup triumph, as well as discussing what happens behind the scenes in sports broadcasting. Headline, 2007.  (JGH)

Robbie Fowler: Fowler

The unbelievably frank autobiography of Robbie Fowler, the striker christened ‘God’ by Liverpool fans, regarded as one of the brightest talents in English football and who never truly fulfilled his potential. He openly discusses the controversies and frustrations that blighted his career and the goals that made him an icon. Macmillan, 2005.  (DL)

Charlie George: My Story

The frank and painfully honest autobiography of Charlie George is a retelling of both his massive successes on the pitch with Arsenal and his troubled time off the field, including the break-up of his marriage, his frequent conflicts with authority and the millions of pounds he lost gambling. Century, 2005.  (DL)

Bobby George: Bobby Dazzler

The entertaining autobiography of Bobby George, who as a player was known as the ‘King of Darts’ and has since become a fixture of the darts coverage on the BBC. He reveals the ups and downs of his life as a professional darts player, from his start in the sport at the late age of 29 to the 1994 Embassy championship final which he played in a steel corset after breaking his back. Orion, 2006.  (DL)

Will Greenwood: Will

The gripping autobiography of Will Greenwood, the World Cup-winning England centre who enjoyed a successful career at both Harlequins and Leicester and, following a life-threatening tackle on a British Lions tour to South Africa, established himself as an important fixture of the England team for nearly a decade. Written with all of the wit and insight that made him so popular as a player, Will was published by Century in 2004.  (JGH)

John Greig: My Story

The fascinating autobiography of John Greig, the legendary Glasgow Rangers captain voted by fans as the Greatest Ranger of All Time. The highs and lows of his incredible career are told with great humour and insight as he relives classic games and entertaining off-field antics with both club and country. Headline, 2005.  (DL)

Eddie Jordan: An Independent Man

The compelling autobiography of Eddie Jordan tells his story from his beginnings in motorsport, his rise to winning Grands Prix on a comparatively small budget and to his being forced to sell his team in 2005. It gives a unique insight into the world of motorsport from the perspective of a man who trained Damon Hill and Martin Brundle and gave Michael Schumacher his first drive. It was published by Orion in 2007.  (DL)

Sir Robin Knox-Johnston: Force of Nature

The inspirational autobiography of Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, the first man to circumnavigate the globe alone. It tells the story of his third attempt at circumnavigation at the age of 68 and attempts to explain what drives him, telling the story of his record-setting first and second circumnavigations along the way. Michael Joseph, 2007.  (DL)

Lou Macari

In his long-awaited autobiography, the legendary United and Scotland forward tells for the first time the no-holds barred story of how football has dominated his life. From his early days with the Lisbon Lions at Celtic, to the events surrounding his controversial move to Manchester Utd, eleven years at Old Trafford and Scotland’s infamous 1978 World Cup campaign, Macari’s playing career had more than its fair share of dramatic moments. In Football, My Life (Bantam, 2009) Macari reveals what really went on behind the scenes.  (DL)

Ginger McCain: My Colourful Life: From Red to Amber

The affectionate and revealing autobiography of Ginger McCain, the four-time Grand National-winning trainer of Red Rum and Amberleigh House. He recounts the events that have made him the man he is, from financial ruin to his record-equalling fourth National victory in 2004, all with the wit and insight that he is renowned for. Headline, 2005.  (JGH)

Ian McGeechan: Lion Man

The absorbing autobiography of Ian McGeechan, the only man to coach more than one British and Irish Lions tour, leading a total of four tours. It covers his life from his time as a player, including as part of the great Lions side of 1974, to his extensive involvement in coaching in Scotland and England, as well as giving an insider’s view on the 2009 Lions tour. Simon & Schuster, 2009.  (DL)

Frank McLintock: True Grit

The fascinating autobiography of Frank McLintock, the Leicester City, Arsenal and QPR defender and midfielder who captained Arsenal to a domestic Cup double in 1970 and later enjoyed a successful career as an agent. He talks frankly about the sometimes shady nature of this business and his involvement in it as well as his playing days. Headline, 2005.  (DL)

Steve McManaman: El Macca - Four years with Real Madrid

When Steve McManaman joined Real Madrid from Liverpool in 1999 he was, according to Real's manager, Vicente Del Bosque, that season's big name signing, a precursor of 'the galacticos', the nickname given to the increasingly starry line-up at the Spanish club. Over the next four years the team-sheet would come to read like a Who's Who of world football, with players like Figo, Zidane, Ronaldo, and David Beckham all arriving in Madrid. Steve was there not only to witness the most interesting and intense period of Real Madrid's development, but also to contribute to it in a major fashion - twice winning the Spanish league and European Cup along the way, including a memorable goal in the 2000 Final against Valencia.

Written with Sarah Edworthy, EL MACCA  is not just a highly entertaining account of four years at one of the biggest clubs in Europe. Thoughtful and candid, it is a portrait of a team in transition and also a fascinating insight into the pressures and pleasures of playing - and succeeding - overseas. Simon & Schuster 2004 (DL)

Billy McNeill: Hail Cesar

The enthralling biography of Billy McNeill, captain of the ‘Lisbon Lions’ Celtic side that in 1967 became the first British team to win the European Cup. It tells the story of his 30-year association with Celtic FC, including his relationships with Kenny Dalglish and Jock Stein and his two periods as manager. Headline, 2004.  (DL)

Paul Nicholls

Paul Nicholls: Lucky Break is the gripping autobiography of Paul Nicholls, the former jockey whose drive to succeed has taken him to the highest level of training racehorses. He has been Champion Trainer four times since starting his stables in Ditcheat in 1991 with only eight horses, winning record amounts of prize money and training over 1,500 winners. Orion, 2009.  (JGH)

Brian O’Driscoll: A Year in the Centre

The compelling first-hand account of the life of Brian O’Driscoll in the 2004/2005 season, covering his experiences with Leinster, Ireland and the Lions tour to New Zealand, which he captained until sustaining an injury in the first match. Drawn from the diaries he kept over the course of the year the book offers a unique insight into the life and responsibilities of a rugby superstar. It was published by Penguin Ireland in 2005.  (JGH)

Ronan O’Gara: My Autobiography

The illuminating story of Ronan O’Gara, the leading points-scorer in the history of the Irish rugby team. He tells the inside story of his life from his early days in Cork through to his enormous successes with Munster and Ireland, including winning the Heineken Cup and the Triple Crown, as well as addressing the lower points, both personal and professional, of 2007.  Voted Irish Book of the Year, it was published by Transworld in 2008.  (JGH)

Pelé: The Autobiography

The bestselling autobiography of the man widely regarded as the greatest footballer of all time, the only player to be part of three World Cup-winning teams and the first player to score 1,000 career goals. The book charts his life from his upbringing in São Paulo and his successes as a teenager for Santos FC to his and Brazil’s dominance on the world stage and his later career as a politician, sporting ambassador and footballing icon.  This landmark autobiography has been translated throughout the world and was published by Simon & Schuster in 2006.  (JGH)

Sir Bobby Robson: Living the Game

A revealing biography of one of England’s most loved and dedicated football men, Sir Bobby Robson. It covers his involvement in football from his boyhood, and lifelong, love for Newcastle FC to his playing days at Fulham and West Bromwich Albion and his later career as manager of numerous teams including England and Newcastle. Weidenfeld & Nicolson, 2003.  (JGH)

Cristiano Ronaldo: Moments

The illustrated autobiography of the Portugal, Manchester United and Real Madrid forward charts the highs and lows of his career from sleeping alone at the Sporting CF training centre as a boy to his rise to one of the best players in the world.  Many never before seen photographs illustrate the moments that fuelled his obsession for football and gave him the drive that has helped him to succeed at the highest level. Macmillan in 2007.  (DL)

Valentino Rossi: What If I Had Never Tried It

The captivating autobiography of Valentino Rossi, an icon who has revolutionised motorcycle racing, winning titles in every category. Covering his life from his upbringing in Urbino to his domination of MotoGP, What If I Had Never Tried It offers unparalleled insight into the mind of one of the greatest champions of modern times.  Century, 2005.  (JGH)

Gordon Strachan

Geoff Thomas: Riding Through the Storm

'Geoff, normally at this stage of their recovery people ask me if they can go swimming'.

At the age of 38, footballer Geoff Thomas was diagnosed with leukaemia. Riding through the Storm is a no stone left unturned account of Geoff's fight for his life. Stuck in a hospital bed, or lying at home, drained from the treatment, Geoff also looks back over the highs and lows of his footballing career, and formulates a plan to repay those who have saved his life. After being told he was in remission by his consultant Geoff decides to ride the full 21 stages of the 2005 Tour de France in order to raise money for leukaemia research.

By turns funny and sad this is an intensely moving memoir of cycling, football and fighting leukaemia. Orion 2007 (DL)

Fernando Torres: El Niño: My Story

The bestselling autobiography of Fernando Torres, the Liverpool and Spain striker.  Torres charts his life from his first game of football as a goalkeeper aged 5 to his scoring the winning goal in the European Championships final, including his becoming the captain of Atlético Madrid at only 19, his £20 million move to Liverpool and his 30-goal debut season in English football. HarperSport, 2009.  (DL)

Gianluca Vialli & Gabriele Marcotti

Gianluca Vialli & Gabriele Marcotti: The Italian Job: A Journey to the Heart of Two Great Footballing Cultures
A unique and revealing study of the different approaches and attitudes towards football in England and Italy, written by world-class footballer and manager Gianluca Vialli in conjunction with Gabrielle Marcotti and containing interviews with such high profile managers as Sir Alex Ferguson, Jose Mourinho, Arsene Wenger and Fabio Capello, it features unmatched insight into the national characters of both the English and Italian games and the forces that shaped them. Bantam Press, 2006.  (DL)

Patrick Vieira: Vieira

The honest and insightful autobiography of Patrick Vieira captain of the Arsenal ‘Invincibles’ side that went unbeaten for a whole season and winner of both the World Cup and the European Championship with France. He discusses both his time in football and the numerous issues surrounding the game today such as the spectre of racism and the need for responsibility from multi-millionaire footballers.  Orion, 2005.  (JGH)

Theo Walcott

Random House Children’s Books have recently acquired a series of children’s books from Theo Walcott, the talented England and Arsenal midfielder.  The books will all feature a character called TJ and many of the storylines will be based on Theo’s own experiences as a young footballer.  Publication of the series commences in Summer 2010. (JGH)

Neil Warnock: Made In Sheffield - My Story

Renowned for his outspoken, colourful character, Neil Warnock tells the story of his life in football. For the first time he reveals his career highs and lows, from his days as a player to managing his beloved Sheffield United. 
 
Told with his trademark humour and passion, Neil offers a fascinating insight into the journey of a football manager from the Northern Premier League to the Premier League.  Co-writer Oliver Holt has done a wonderful job of assisting Neil Warnock bring his story to life.  Hodder & Stoughton 2007 (DL)

Norman Whiteside: Determined

The engrossing autobiography of Norman Whiteside, chronicling his extraordinary rise to the first teams of both Manchester United and Northern Ireland at the tender age of 16 and his experiences becoming the youngest player to ever play in a World Cup, playing under Ron Atkinson in the midst of the 1980s alcohol culture and clashing with Sir Alex Ferguson. It also follows his life after an injury cruelly ended his career at only 26 as he became a podiatrist to help young footballers. Headline, 2007.  (DL)