Odd-Shaped Balls: Mischief-Makers, Miscreants and Mad-Hatters Of Rugby (Mainstream Sport)

RugbyisnotagameforthosewhothinkthatcentresarewhatyoufindinaboxofBlackMagicorwhoconfuseJonahLomuwithJoannaLumley.Atthesametime,itisnotagameforthebright:whatkindoftorturedmindwouldinventanovalball?Ofcourse,ithelpsifyouknowtherulesanddon'thaveanyfear.Inthisrespectyouareinthesameboatasmostreferees,particularlyifyouhaveaproblemwithyoureyesight.Odd-ShapedBallscapturesthehumour,theagonyandtheecstasyofoneoftheworld'smostpopularsports.Itsnoopsinsidesweaty,smellydressing-rooms,revealsthepassionsofcoachesandfans-withoutwhomrugbywouldceasetoexist-anddelvesdeepintothesport'sarchivestorecallitsheroes,villainsandvictims,allofwhomarepartofthedailycurrency.Thebookisnolessthanawho'swhoofthegame,withbotholdandyounggettingtheopportunitytohavetheirsay.Liningoutisacastofmischief-makers,miscreantsandmad-hatters:fromMaxBoycetoKeithWood;fromSeanFitzpatricktoAustinHealy;fromBillBeaumontandhisstreakertoGavinHastings;fromGarethEdwardstoDavidCampese;andfromthemaninthescrumtothemanatthebar.Allexponentsofsurrealism,comicgeniusandsavagewit,theyofferaquirkyinsightintothesportingpsycheaswellasprovidingsomeriotousgoodlaughs.Withhundredsoffunnystories,Odd-ShapedBallsisalight-heartedrompthroughdecadesofrugbytomfoolerythatisguaranteedtoputasmileonthefaceofallsportsfans.