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Scratching Shed Publishing

Rugby League

Different Class – The Story of Schools Rugby League

By Phil Caplan and Ron England

With a foreword by Neil Fox MBE

Around the turn of the 20th century, schools rugby league was formalised. Compiled from a nationwide archive, Different Class puts a long and illustrious history in context, capturing its flavour with an array of colourful contributions.

Examining the communities from which it sprang, neighbourhood rivalries, prevailing social conditions, stories of overcoming great odds and trips into the unknown, it traces the pioneering spirit that has characterised the schools game, and the role played by teachers as mentors and inspiring personalities.

Mixing fact and anecdote, the book contains a wealth of reminiscences from some who went on to become superstars of the sport, alongside those for whom the school playing field was their zenith.

 

Price: £13.99

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Through Adversity – The Fight for Rugby League in the RAF

By Damian Clayton, with Daniel Abrahams

Includes forewords by Kevin Sinfield and Paul Sculthorpe

Through Adversity is the story of Damian Clayton MBE, whose relentless pursuit of the rugby league dream has seen him brush shoulders with royalty, tour the world, receive a gong in 2008 and be voted Combined Services Sports Official of the Year.

Despite having long since achieved his main goal – to see his beloved rugby league recognised officially by the Armed Forces – the inspirational Royal Air Force Flight Sergeant continues to give his all to the sport he loves.

Clayton, the RAF’s ‘Mr Rugby League’, has been on a long journey. Since 1992 he has worked tirelessly to ensure the sport he has graced as player, administrator and coach is given the same official recognition that dozens of other sports that military personnel take part in – such as football, cricket and tennis – take for granted.

Additional DescriptionMore Details

In the 1980s, military sport in the UK was run on traditional lines. Rugby league was not recognised, even if many within the services yearned to play it. One man changed all that. Damian Clayton, a young airman from West Yorkshire, did not (and still does not) take no for an answer. Battling against incredible odds, his passion for the game, ability on the pitch, organisation and persuasion skills were matched by grit, determination, a bit of cheek and the odd bit of low cunning. What’s more, he succeeded. Over one thousand servicemen and women now play rugby league in all three Services. Through Adversity highlights the highs and lows, the thrills and spills of the journey. The UK Armed Forces were Services World Cup Champions from 2008 to 2013; in the UK the relationship between military players and officials is exceptional. This unity of effort and purpose is exemplified by the force of nature that is Damian Clayton. I commend this book to anyone who is interested in success against the odds and a ripping good yarn! Air Chief Marshal Sir Stuart Peach KCB CBE ADC BA MPhil DTech DLitt FRAeS RAF, Vice Chief of The Defence Staff

Price: £10.99

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Broken Time – The Complete Script

By Mick Martin

Lewy Jenkins is a young Welsh rugby player, lured north by the promise of money and sporting glory; the David Beckham of his day. Lewy’s sweetheart, Bessie Butterworth, is a rising star of the music hall. Beautiful and flirtacious, life has taught her harsh lessons.

These are the protagonists at the centre of Broken Time, a critically-acclaimed play by award-winning playwright Mick Martin. Set in Victorian Yorkshire, where fictional West Broughton Rugby Club are enduring a torrid run of defeats, it is a story of Corinthian idealism and class struggle amid the Industrial Revolution and tumultuous events that led to the historic rugby league – rugby union split of 1895.

After an eye-catching tour across the North of England, the complete script of Broken Time is published here for the first time. This edition also contains a foreword by Mick Martin himself and a specially commissioned introduction by respected rugby historian Professor Tony Collins.

Price: £5.99

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What’s a Bear to Wear?

By Tom Palmer

There was once a bear. A big brown bear. And his name was Grubber. But Grubber was not happy. RLWC2013 was about to kick-off … it should have been an amazing day … but Grubber had a problem. A BIG PROBLEM!

What’s A Bear to Wear? is a new picture book for young children featuring Rugby League World Cup 2013 official mascots Grubber and Steed. Rugby’s newest double act were created by Mark O’Hanlon based on the designs of three young designers – Emily Sixsmith, Sam Bithell and Luke James. The book’s original illustrations are by Alex Thomson.

So dive right into What’s A Bear to Wear? to discover what the problem is and find out how Steed helps Grubber to to solve it.

Additional DescriptionMore Details

This book is produced in association with Try Reading, a new project for public libraries. It celebrates and promotes the sporting event of the year – Rugby League World Cup 2013, while encouraging more people to read and to have a go at writing and drama. The project is being funded with an award from the National Lottery supported £6 million Grants for the arts libraries fund by Arts Council England.

Price: £3.99

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They Walked On Water

REISSUED IN FEBRUARY – ORDER NOW

By David Hinchliffe

With an introduction by Mike ‘Stevo’ Stephenson

Watersplash! Forty-five years on it remains one of the most iconic words in the history of rugby league and is a perfect description of one of its most infamous games.
The ‘Watersplash’ Challenge Cup final of 1968 – when Leeds met Wakefield Trinity in monsoon conditions – has since become the stuff of legend. A deluge of epic rain, a controversial penalty try and ‘that’ last-minute missed goal by Lance Todd Trophy winner Don Fox – whose boots are immortalised on the cover – it contained all of that and more.
With a wealth of new material, former MP David Hinchliffe canvasses the opinions of many who were there – including the players – and uncovers the agony, ecstasy and tragedy of Wembley 1968.

Price: £13.99

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