Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #35547 in Books
• Published on: 2008-01-07
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 250 pages

Synopsis
Determined, dedicated and dogmatic, Martyn Williams is the inspiring number seven lynchpin who has steered club and country to victory in inimitable style. In his action-packed autobiography, he writes for the first time about his love for the sport he has made his own. Starting out with home-town team Pontypridd, he made his Wales debut aged just 20 and won the Welsh league title with Pontypridd the following year, repeating the feat in his first season after joining Cardiff, whom he went on to captain for three years. Twice a British Lion, his finest hour came as the award-winning role in Wales' Six Nations championship Grand Slam of 2005. But there is far more to Martyn than his seemingly smooth career path from valleys rugby to international stardom. He speaks candidly about the double personal tragedies of losing both his mother and brother to cancer and of the challenges of combining his sporting commitments with being a husband and father to his two children. Full of surprises, he also reveals his passion for both American football and soccer. A diehard Liverpool fan, he was a talented centre-half himself in his teenage years.

In his autobiography, Martyn speaks for the first time about the controversial departure of Mike Ruddock as coach of the national team, the drinking culture in Welsh rugby in the early years of professionalism, the infamous Battle of Brive and why he turned down the chance to captain Wales at the 2003 World Cup. He also gives his views on the influx of southern hemisphere coaches like Graham Henry and Steve Hansen, plus the lowdown on how he prepares and trains and what really goes on in the dressing room. With coverage of the 2007 RBS Six Nations and revealing portraits of his team-mates and opponents, this honest, witty, informative and entertaining autobiography is a must for fans and any sports lover.

Customer Reviews

Golden Nugget Shares Insights on Life and Rugby
This is an excellent book that I could not put down once I began reading it. Williams has been through so much both in his rugby career where he is a Welsh legend after having now played a key part in two Grand Slam teams (although this book was written before Warren Gatland had persuaded him to come out of retirement and play in the historic 2008 Six Nations campaign), and in life where he has lost his beloved mother and brother. What you get with Martyn is an honest evaluation of the highs and lows, the emotions of euphoria and heartache that he has experienced in his life both on and off the pitch. We get some fascinating insights into his take on some of his fellow rugby legends, including Gareth Thomas, Stephen Jones, Colin Charvis, Gethin Jenkins, Shane Williams, Neil Jenkins, Robert Howley, Dwayne Peel, Tom Shanklin, Iestyn Harris, Gavin Henson, and Jonah Lomu (who played a season with him at the Blues). Equally riveting is his take on the numerous coaches he has worked with, and the enormous debt he owes to two of them. Having read his book I have a much better understanding of the circumstances leading up to Mike Ruddock's shock resignation in February 2006, and how all the hype and irresponsible speculation in the press at that time could not destroy the bond of friendship and loyalty that he and the other senior members of the national team had built up over several years of lows and highs in Welsh fortunes. Reading the book only reinforced my opinion that the modest lad from Pontypridd truly deserves the accolade of "The Magnificent Seven".

In 7 heaven
I purchased this book for my brother-in-laws birthday but started to read and could not put it down.it was as gripping as watching him play