BRITISH & IRISH LIONS - THIS WEEK IN HISTORY

Pitch Publishing is a fantastic imprint.
They do all the great Got, Not Got series
and plenty of other retro sports titles.

James Brown, The Late Tackle, talkSPORT

Pitch Publishing show the way for enterprising
sports book publishers and remains a beacon
of hope for sports authors aspiring or established.

The Sports Bookshelf.com

Pitch Publishing, an outfit whose "pitch perfect"
commissioning of boxing material stands
as a rebuke to more established houses

Boxing Monthly

Pitch capture the real spirit of sport with entertaining
and clever ideas. They work out what the aficionado
would want to read, then deliver it with great verve.

Paul Hayward, The Daily Telegraph

Pitch have enabled me to write in the ways I enjoy most.
Their production support is superb, delivering eye-catching
designs, attentive proof-reading, energetic marketing and helpful advice.

Tim Quelch, Good Old Sussex by the Sea, Orient to the Emirates, Underdog!

Pitch are willing to back out-of-the-blue and innovative
ideas and turn them into viable, entertaining books.
They do so with great presentation and editorial flair.

Justin Parkinson, Then Came Massacre

Pitch saw the potential in my story, used their expertise
to polish it, published it and helped inspire thousands
around the world to get into the sport of triathlon.

Andy Holgate, Can’t Swim, Can’t Ride, Can’t Run & Can't Sleep, Can't Train, Can't Stop

The process of working with Pitch to produce Picking up the Threads
was enjoyable and rewarding, with the final edition surpassing
expectations and becoming a resounding success.

John Chandler, Picking up the Threads

Pitch will take a chance on books that other publishers won't
and realise that interest in football extends beyond the
Premier League and the top 20 countries in the FIFA rankings.

Steve Menary, Outcasts!

Pitch have the vision to look beyond the obvious,
seeking out interesting ideas and subjects and
matching them with the right target audience.

David Tossell, Tony Greig, The Great English Final, Grovel!, Natural

Pitch have been an absolute joy to work with,
contributing their passion, expertise, knowledge
and experience to help produce a brilliant book.

Sam Pilger, Ashes Match of My Life

Pitch took our original concept and further enhanced it,
using their knowledge, experience and expertise, and helped
make Got, Not Got one of the football books of the year for 2011.

Derek Hammond, Got, Not Got series of books

Pitch bought into the concept of development through football,
channeling profits and proceeds from Eleven into helping
some of the most disadvantaged young people in the world.

Steve Fleming, Eleven

In the highly competitive world of sport publishing,
Pitch have consistently demonstrated the happy
knack of spotting, nurturing and promoting winners.

Neil Dunkin, Anfield of Dreams

21 Oct

BRITISH & IRISH LIONS - THIS WEEK IN HISTORY

Celebrity Masterchef winners, George Crosses, Olympic titles and Lions home matches – all among the bizarre and memorable Lions-related events that took place this week in history.

For yet more must-know watercooler trivia, check out the brilliantly researched British & Irish Lions On This Day by Tim Evershed – it’s the ultimate Xmas stocking-filler for any British rugby fan!

Saturday 21^st October 1899

Captains Robert Johnston and Charles Herbert Mullins each won the Victoria Cross for their actions at the Battle of Elandslaagte in the Second Boer War. Johnston, an Irish international, stayed on in South Africa at the end of the 1896 tour. Mullins was the elder brother of Cuth Mullins who had also played for the Lions three years earlier.

Saturday 21^st October 2006

Coach Warren Gatland’s Waikato team won the inaugural Air New Zealand Cup after they beat Wellington in the Grand Final 37-31 in front of a capacity crowd of 25,000 fans at Waikato Stadium.

Saturday 22^nd October 1955

A rare Lions match on home soil saw the side face a Welsh XV at Cardiff Arms Park to mark the 75th anniversary of the Welsh Rugby Union.

Saturday 22^nd October 2011

England and Lions prop Phil Vickery won BBC’s Celebrity Masterchef title beating off journalist Kirsty Wark and actor Nick Pickard in the final.

Sunday 23^rd October 2011

Former Lions head coach Graham Henry led New Zealand to victory in the World Cup as the All Blacks overcame France 8-7 in the final at Eden Park in Auckland.

Thursday 24^th October 1912

Scrum half Tommy Vile, a member of the 1904 Test team, played a key role as Newport defeated the touring Springboks 9-3 at Rodney Parade. It was one of only three defeats that South Africa suffered on their 28-match tour.

Friday 25^th October 1963

Major General Sir Douglas Kendrew was appointed Governor of Western Australia. The former England and Lions prop was so popular in the role that his term was twice extended until he stepped down in 1974…

Monday 26^th October 1908

An Australian side featuring Tom Richards won the Olympic gold medal at rugby union beating England 32-3 in the final at White City Stadium in London. Two years later Richards was playing domestic rugby in South Africa when he was called up to join the Lions…

Click here for more information, or to read a sample from British & Irish Lions On This Day.