Product Description

Clive Woodward won 21 caps as a centre for England between 1980 and 1984, and went on two Lions tours. In 1984 he moved to Australia, where he developed his rugby education, and also learned how sports teams could succeed through developing business methods. He returned to England in 1990, and began putting his new methods into practice at club and junior levels, before finally becoming England's first full-time professional coach in autumn 1997. In his time as coach, he developed a new professionalism that was to take England to Grand Slam and World Cup triumph in 2003, and make England the best side in the world. Alison Kervin was highly critical of his man-management methods in the early days, but came round when she saw and admired the way his methods began to succeed. Her revealing biography, based on interviews with the players and coaches who know him best, unveils the true nature of this complex man, who has become the most successful national coach in British sport since Sir Alf Ramsey. She assesses his performance as Lions coach in the summer of 2005, and looks at his plans for a future working in football.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #491178 in Books
• Published on: 2006-10-26
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 400 pages

DAILY MAIL
'a terrific read.'

About the Author
Alison Kervin writes for the Sunday Times and was formerly Chief Sports Feature Writer for The Times and editor of Rugby World. She has also worked as public relations manager for the England rugby team, and has written four previous books, including the autobiography of Jason Leonard.

Customer Reviews

sports writing at its best
I bought this book yesterday and read it cover to cover after seeing a great review of it in the times. It's really good. It's all about the background to the sport when woodward took over just as the sport went professional as well as including all the minor characters in the story. The authoress gives every character their say and you feel by the end of it that you really understand the whole period in english rugby. You understand about success and why Clive was the way he is. It's definitely the best sports book i've ever read and i'd really recommend it. John. Northampton. October

excellent
A good read whether you like rugby or not. This is the tale of a fascinating character. It was laugh out loud funny in places and quite sad in others. I really enjoyed it and I would recommend it.

The Mad Professor
This book is refreshingly different form the personal histories churned out by most sports journalists. The book takes time to look not only at who Woodward is but also why. Woodward comes across as a strange character but very impressive. Well worth a read.