Download or read book Ally McCoist Rangers Legend written by Alistair Aird and published by Kings Road Publishing. This book was released on 2011-10-27 with total page 450 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Ally McCoist is one of Scottish soccer's best-loved characters. In a two-decade career, he won the hearts and minds of legions of fans as he established himself as one of the most popular sporting personalities in the UK. A schoolboy prodigy, it was always clear that McCoist was destined for top flight soccer. At just 16 he signed his first professional contract with St. Johnstone, shooting to prominence in the 1980-81 season, scoring 22 league goals, and playing a starring role for the Scottish youth team. He was soon hot property. After two years of mixed fortunes at Sunderland, McCoist returned to Scotland and signed with his boyhood heroes, the Glasgow Rangers. Over the next fifteen years, he established himself as arguably the greatest goal-scorer ever to play for the club. He not only gave heart and soul for Rangers but was also capped 61 times for Scotland. An authoritative and affectionate portrait of this much-loved sportsman, "Ally McCoist: Rangers Legend" charts the highs and lows of a fascinating career, culminating in McCoist reaching legendary status. It also looks at the events that helped to shape his life overcoming homesickness when first playing for an English club and how he coped when his young son had to undergo several life-saving operations. Having hung up his boots, Ally's vibrant personality made him a natural for the television screen. Now, however, he has come full circle and returned "home" after a successful spell as assistant manager at his beloved Rangers, he has taken over the reins to become manager. This wonderful book is a must-read for any soccer fan, or indeed for anyone captivated by this large-than-life character."

Download or read book Ally McCoist Rangers Legend written by Alistair Aird and published by Kings Road Publishing. This book was released on 2009-10-05 with total page 400 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Ally McCoist is undoubtedly the finest Scottish goal-scorer of the last 30 years. In a career that spannedmore thantwo decades, he won the hearts and minds of legions of fans as he established himself as one of the most popular sports personalities in the UK. This authoritative and affectionate portrait of this much-loved sportsman charts the highs and lows of a fascinating career including a couple of injury-stricken years culminating in McCoist reaching legendary status. It also looks at the events that helped to shape his life such as how he overcame his homesickness when first playing for an English club, the effect his parents' separation had on him, and how he coped when his young son had to undergo several life-saving operations. Having hung up his boots, his vibrant personality made him a natural for the television screen and he carved a niche for himself with a role in sporting media. Now, however, McCoist has come full circle and returned home to be assistant manager at his beloved Rangers. This wonderful book is a must-read for any football fan or indeed for anyone captivated by this larger-than-life character."

Download or read book Walter Smith The Ibrox Gaffer written by Scott Burns and published by Black & White Publishing. This book was released on 2011-04-26 with total page 248 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This long-deserved tribute to the legendary Walter Smith sees Rangers stars past and present uniting to honour one of the most decorated and successful managers in Scottish football. Ibrox favourites from across the decades, including heroes like Brian Laudrup, Ally McCoist, Andy Goram, Jorg Albertz, and countless others, give their own unique insight into the man they affectionately call their 'Gaffer'. Light Blue legends Davie Weir, Madjid Bougherra, Nacho Novo, Pedro Mendes and Stevie Naismith offer fans a behind the scenes look at how Smith returned for his second spell at Ibrox to deliver domestic and European success against a backdrop of financial meltdown. The one thing that they all agree is that Walter Smith is simply the best!

Download or read book The Official Biography of Rangers written by Ronnie Esplin and published by Headline. This book was released on 2011-10-13 with total page 291 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Rangers have won 53 League Championships, more than any other club in the world. They have won the Scottish League Cup 26 times -- more than any other Scottish club -- and the Scottish Cup 33 times. In 1961 Rangers reached the final of the European Cup Winners' Cup, becoming the first British club to reach the final of a UEFA club competition. They won the European Cup Winners' Cup in 1972, having been the runners-up in 1961 and 1967, and were runners-up in the 2008 UEFA Cup Final.

Download or read book Same Team A Street Soccer Story written by Robbie Gordon and published by Bloomsbury Publishing. This book was released on 2023-12-22 with total page 147 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: No.1 – Players always come first No.2 – We look to the future No.3 – We never leave anyone behind No.4 – We place others before ourselves No.5 – We keep our promises Five women have come together with one goal, one dream. Coming from very different backgrounds in life they have to work together as a team if they want to do what no one from Scotland has ever done before. To win the Homeless World Cup, and bring the trophy home. A joyful story of community and teamwork, building connections between each other and homelessness. Written with the Dundee Women's Street Soccer Team, Robbie Gordon and Jack Nurse's Same Team - A Street Soccer Story is an uplifting whirlwind through the highs and lows of homeless football. This edition was published to coincide with the world premiere at the Traverse Theatre in Edinburgh, in December 2023.

Download or read book Slim Jim written by Isobel Murray and published by Black & White Publishing. This book was released on 2014-09-04 with total page 264 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Jim Baxter - the legendary 'Slim Jim' - was arguably Scotland's greatest-ever footballer, a left-footed genius who became a Rangers icon and helped Scotland humiliate world champions England at Wembley in 1967 - with some famous keepie-uppie along the way. And although much has been written about Slim Jim over the years, the real story behind his life is now revealed for the first time. When Jim Baxter joined Rangers in 1960 for a record fee of £17,500, he quickly proved his worth, helping the team to ten trophies over the next five years. It was the start of a glittering career and a hard-drinking, hard-living lifestyle in the big city, where he fully enjoyed the fruits of his success. But behind the glamour on and off the park, Jim Baxter hid a secret that would torment him for most of his life, a secret he only discovered the full truth about when he was fifty years old. What is beyond doubt is that Slim Jim Baxter will forever be revered for his unbelievable footballing talent. He will also be remembered for his ability to live life to the full and beyond. But had he uncovered the truth earlier about the family secret that left him shattered, the life of this footballing genius might have been very different both on and off the pitch.

Download or read book Follow We Will written by Stuart Thomson and published by New Generation Publishing. This book was released on 2021-06-01 with total page 179 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Nacho NovoWhen I left Spain for my Scottish adventure back in 2001, I could not have dreamt just how my career would take off. Six great years I spent at Rangers, making friends for life on and off the pitch. Yes, I won a league medal, scored the winning goal in a cup final, scored against Celtic and the winning penalty to take us to Manchester. However, what now gives me the greatest pleasure, is not only the memories, but knowing I am now a fan myself. I will be celebrating 55 like the rest of the Bears. Once a Ranger, always a Ranger.Robie Ferguson, GlasgowMy first away trip abroad was to Bilbao in 1969, in the Fairs Cup. Since then, my love for Rangers has taken me on over 200 trips all over Europe, South Africa, USA, Canada & Australia. From cup games to pre-season friendlies and tours, I have made good friends all over the world. Every trip has been an adventure following The Rangers.Ross McGill, Union BearsOur club and support really are second to none, and this experience at the time (in Leipzig) was a taster for the younger generation of trips to come and a bit of hope for our entire support, that natural order would one day be restored, and we would be back in Europe, following our club and at the top of Scottish football once again. Thankfully we are now there and 55 has been achieved. We are back....

Download or read book Union Jock written by Aidan Smith and published by Random House. This book was released on 2008-11-21 with total page 272 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: July 30, 1966. Bobby Moore is lifting the Jules Rimet trophy, Denis Law is playing golf, and a young boy in Edinburgh is being taught the most important lesson of his life: no matter who England are playing, you support the other lot. If the opposition have a dodgy human rights record, or are cruel to wasps, or can't even be located on a large-format map - too bad. You support the other lot. Forty years on, and Aidan Smith has done a pretty good job of supporting the other lot. But these days he should be old enough, and ugly enough, to be above petty, playground-formed sporting squabbles. Besides, the World Cup is coming, Scotland haven't made it, and he's about to marry an Englishwoman. Maybe it's a sign. But can a Scotsman ever cheer for 'Ingerland'? In Union Jock, Aidan Smith investigates the age-old England-Scotland emnity, both on and off the football field. The Scots may have suffered at the hands of the Auld Enemy for centuries - Braveheart, Culloden, Jimmy Hill calling David Narey's goal a "toe-poke" (against Brazil in the 1982 World Cup, top right-hand corner) - but now they're a nation on the rise, with a spanking new parliament to prove it. But what do the fans, players, politicians, and Sassenach invaders really think about their English neighbours? Would supporting England be a denial of their Scottishness? Join Aidan Smith on his quest to put an end to centuries of not-so-friendly rivalry. That's if the Scots don't get him first. Or the English.

Download or read book Mark Hateley Hitting the Mark written by Mark Hateley and published by . This book was released on 2021-11-25 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Born into a football family - Mark's father Tony played for among others, Aston Villa, Liverpool and Chelsea - Mark was destined to forge a career in the game. After starting out with Coventry City, Mark spent a year at Portsmouth before earning a lucrative move to Serie A with AC Milan. A fearsome, all-action centre forward with an eye for goal, Mark immediately endeared himself to the fans of I Rosseneri when he scored the winning goal in the Milan derby against Internazionale. Still revered by the infamous Curva Sud today, Mark left Milan in 1987 and joined Monaco. He scored 14 league goals and won the Ligue 1 title in his debut season, but two serious ankle injuries ruled Mark out the game for the best part of a year. Mark reflects honestly on his rehabilitation and the impact his absence from football had on him. When he was fit to return to action, Mark moved to Rangers for a fee of GBP1,000,000. And during his time at Ibrox, he won six league titles, three Scottish League Cups and two Scottish Cups. Mark struck fear into the hearts of Scottish defences and scored over 100 goals for Rangers. He forged a prolific partnership with Ally McCoist and became the first Englishman to be voted Scotland's Player of the Year in 1994. Despite this Mark was overlooked for a place in the England squad. Capped 10 times at U21 level, Mark was the winner of the Golden Player at the 1984 U21 European Championships and announced himself at international level with a goal in the Maracana in 1984. But he only added a further one cap to his senior level total of 32 while with Rangers. In the book, Mark explains why he was overlooked so often and how it galvanised him and made him play at an even higher level for Rangers. Mark joined Queens Park Rangers in September 1995 but returned to Ibrox 18 months later to help the club clinch their ninth successive league title. After a short spell as player-manager of Hull City and an ill-fated move to Ross County, Mark moved into the media and has latterly been an ambassador for Rangers. Featuring an insight into what life was like in the inner sanctum of each of the clubs he played for, Mark talks candidly about the highs and lows of his career, his team-mates and managers and how they helped shape his time in the game. The book also analyses the Hateley family football dynasty.

Download or read book Blink written by David Leslie and published by Random House. This book was released on 2012-06-07 with total page 289 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: As a young man in Glasgow’s underworld, Ian ‘Blink’ MacDonald fought, robbed and slashed his way to the top, developing a taste for the high life along the way. His notoriety earned him an offer of work from Scotland’s most feared gangster, Arthur Thompson, but MacDonald had other plans: to finance a new life in Spain with the multimillion-pound proceeds of a high-risk armed bank robbery. But the job went badly wrong, and MacDonald was jailed for 16 years. In prison, he met scores of high-profile inmates, including torture-gang boss Eddie Richardson, high-society serial killer Archie Hall, notorious lifer Charles Bronson and Ronnie O’Sullivan senior, father of the snooker star. On his release, MacDonald became a magnet for trouble, enjoying a hedonistic, drug-fuelled lifestyle and finding himself drawn into conflict with police, gangsters and businessmen. Rearrested several times, he was the target of more than one terrifying murder attempt. In Blink, MacDonald provides an eye-opening account of his highly eventful journey through life in Glasgow’s brutal gangland.

Download or read book Silversmith written by Neil Drysdale and published by Birlinn. This book was released on 2011-07-01 with total page 391 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Walter Smith was one of the most respected managers in British football. This insightful biography casts a reflective and analytical eye over his life and career, examining this shrewd professional through the many highs and lows that he has experienced as a player and manager. He enjoyed an illustrious career in management at Rangers, joining the Souness revolution in 1987, winning nine successive league titles, a domestic treble in the 1992-93 season and winning both the Scottish Cup and League Cup three times. In 1998, Smith accepted a position in England with Everton, where he was the manager until 2002, before being reunited with Ferguson at Old Trafford in 2004. In December of that year, Smith was appointed as Scotland manager and his effort subsequently earned him the title of 'Scot of the Year' at the prestigious Glenfiddich 'Spirit of Scotland' awards in 2006. Midway through the qualifying rounds for Euro 2008, however, and with the Scots leading their group, he controversially accepted an offer to return to Ibrox in January 2007. Upon returning to Glasgow, Smith led Rangers to the UEFA Cup Final and triumph in the Scottish Cup in 2008, a domestic League and Cup double in 2009 and another double - this time in the domestic League and League Cup - in 2010. He retired from management in 2011 and died in October 2021.

Download or read book From the Heart written by Sandy Clark and published by Black & White Publishing. This book was released on 2012-04-30 with total page 268 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In "From the Heart", Sandy Clark tells the story of his headline-grabbing career in football as a striker, manager, coach and now much-respected pundit. From his early days with his hometown team Airdrie, Sandy Clark was a prolific scorer and notched more than 100 goals for the Diamonds. He caught the eye of both Sir Alex Ferguson and Celtic who tried to prise him away and was later named PFA Player of the Year before heading south to West Ham to star alongside Trevor Brooking, Billy Bonds and Tony Cottee. Sandy reveals why he then returned to Rangers and how he helped a young Ally McCoist through those difficult early days, before they went on to help the Light Blues to Skol Cup glory. He also reveals the pain and agony of the 1985-86 season when, with Hearts, he missed out on a league and Scottish Cup double. And he relives his Tynecastle memories, from his derby day glories to Wallace Mercer asking him to value all the Hibs players ahead of his controversial attempt to buy their capital rivals.Sandy speaks openly about his own managerial stint at Tynecastle, where he had to controversially sack Justin Fashanu and for the first time he talks about his heartbreak when Chris Robinson showed him the door and why he later turned down the chance to manage Hearts for a second spell. Clark tells all from his time at St Johnstone, where he led them to third spot, a cup final and back into Europe, where they took on the might of Monaco and also lifts the lid on the drugs nightmare with George O'Boyle and Kevin Thomas and how he believes it led to his eventual sacking. He went on to work under Jimmy Calderwood and Jimmy Nicholl at Dunfermline, Kilmarnock and Aberdeen and says why he believes an Aberdeen legend was behind their controversial Pittodrie departure. Controversial, honest and full of brand new anecdotes, "From the Heart" is an unmissable football story.

Download or read book The Rough Guide to Cult Football written by Rough Guides and published by Rough Guides UK. This book was released on 2010-09-01 with total page 289 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Rough Guide to Cult Football is the ultimate companion to the beautiful game. The only football book of its kind, it goes beyond the usual back page material to uncover the most amazing stories and unlikeliest personalities on Planet Football. It reveals the stories behind the mavericks and cult figures that make up the real heroes of the game - from cultured midfielders to jailbirds, drinkers to hard men, local legends to international wanderers. The Rough Guide to Cult Football looks at everything from special clubs - like the New York Cosmos and Berwick Rangers - to managers and football rivalries - from 'El Clásico' to the Faroe Islands derby, via an unusual roll-call of talent that stretches from Ferenc Puskas to Stan Bowles, Eric Cantona to Jose Chilavert and Garrincha to Perry Groves. It also recalls extraordinary games, from 'The Battle of Highbury' to underdog fixtures where the likes of Northern Ireland, Wimbledon and Dynamo Kiev overcame the might of Spain, Liverpool and the Nazis. Post-match analyses of football culture, ephemera, science and some strange statistics, complete this ultimate fiesta of football fun.

Download or read book Rangers FC On This Day written by Paul Smith and published by eBook Partnership. This book was released on 2012-12-18 with total page 230 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Rangers On This Day recounts, in diary form, major events and magic moments in the history of the Ibrox Park club. With individual entries for each day of the year, and multiple entries for busier times, this book covers their ups and downs, domestic and European cup runs, boardroom battles, and sensational signings.

Download or read book Sandy written by Tom Miller and published by Black & White Publishing Ltd. This book was released on 2016-10-31 with total page 278 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: William Pullar Sandy Jardine is an Ibrox icon. Respected and revered throughout the football world and beyond, he will forever be a club legend. Sandy was the consummate professional. His silky skills, speed and ability to read the game were combined with a sense of fair play that made him truly world class. He was soon an integral part of the Rangers team and became a club legend when the Barcelona Bears won the European Cup Winners Cup in 1972. He also played in two dramatic World Cups and won 39 caps for Scotland. Later, Edinburgh-born Sandy fulfilled another personal dream when he signed for Hearts and his impact at Tynecastle was immense. Then, in 2012, the financial meltdown at Rangers brought Sandy back into the limelight. In those troubled times, nobody did more than Sandy Jardine to galvanise the club and its supporters, and he famously led 8,000 fans to Hampden to protest against sanctions imposed by the SFA. But in late 2012, Sandy announced that he was battling cancer, a fight he would bravely lose in April 2014. SANDY The Authorised Biography of Sandy Jardine is the definitive story of one of football s true legends and a fitting tribute to a man who was loved and respected by family, friends and football fans wherever he went.

Download or read book Dougie Donnelly written by Dougie Donnelly and published by McNidder & Grace. This book was released on 2024-09-12 with total page 312 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This is the autobiography of Dougie Donnelly, one of Scotland's most successful and best loved broadcasters, who has spent over 32 years with the BBC as a presenter on Grandstand and Sportscene. As well as commentating on Great Britain winning the gold medal at curling at the Winter Olympics Donnelly has also presented football World Cups and European Championships, Europe winning Ryder and Solheim Cups and many golf championships. He was there broadcasting when Scotland won two rugby Grand Slams and medals in Olympic and Commonwealth Games, and when Stephen Hendry was the greatest snooker player in the world. Oh, and he interviewed an American President on stage at the Royal Albert Hall! Donnelly's additional skills as a chat show host were recognised when he fronted a series Friday Night with Dougie Donnelly and a television special with Billy Connolly, Connolly with Donnelly both for the BBC. Dougie is still travelling the world doing what he does best – commentating on sport! His latest travels include commentating on international golf, a sport he loves to play - although admits he's a better commentator than player! As a student, Dougie was Social Secretary at Strathclyde University when he booked Billy Connolly a gig! They remain good friends. As a young DJ Dougie first found his voice, that Glasgow one, before sending a demo tape to Radio Clyde. From 1979 to 1992 he presented Radio Clyde's Mid-Morning Show, before leaving to present on TV. Dougie soon established himself as a sports presenter and his skills as a chat show host were also recognised when he fronted a series Friday Night with Dougie Donnelly and a television special with Billy Connolly, Connolly with Donnelly both for the BBC.

Download or read book The Greatest Games written by Jamie Carragher and published by Random House. This book was released on 2020-11-12 with total page 344 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: 'Essential reading for players, fans and coaches' - Steven Gerrard 'A cracking read' - Chris Evans 'I couldn't put it down' - Joey Barton What are the greatest games ever played? From Jurgen Klopp to Gary Neville, Xavi to David Beckham, Jamie Carragher speaks with teammates, rivals, managers and legends of the sport to identify and analyse football's greatest encounters. As Carra and his contributors take you into the dressing rooms and out onto the pitches of the world's most celebrated stadiums, they relive some of the defining moments of their playing careers as well as many more from the greatest football matches ever played - from title deciders and cup finals to against-all-odds comebacks, tactical masterclasses and old school classics. Packed full of hilarious stories, exclusive anecdotes and refreshing appraisals, in The Greatest Games Jamie Carragher takes you into the heart of these matches, revealing new insights into the teams, players and coaches that have shaped football.