Product Description

A true Rugby League hero, Mike Gregory's deeds of bravery, courage, and valour despite injuries on the playing fields of Great Britain, Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and France gave him the ultimate honour of any sportsman, to captain both club and country. Playing for Great Britain, Warrington, Salford, Cronulla and Wigan St Patricks, never giving less than 100 per cent, he is respected worldwide by his peers and fans alike for never taking a backward step. At the end of his superb playing career Mike took the same ethos into coaching and following initial setbacks, he landed his dream job in charge of his home town club Wigan. Battling against a devastating illness resulting from an insect bite whilst undertaking international coaching duties in 2003, he guided the Wigan team to the Challenge Cup Final in 2004 before temporarily standing down to commence treatment in the USA. But on his return found he had to fight with the club to resume his work. Mike lost that battle for reinstatement but in a high profile legal case, gained recompense from the Wigan club. His path now, proving his doubters wrong and winning this final match against his illness with his loving wife, two young sons and supporters all behind him.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #416647 in Books
• Published on: 2006-10-14
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 224 pages

Customer Reviews

Buy this book
Mike Gregory was a player that every Rugby League fan who watched the game in the late 80s and early 90s wanted to have playing for their team. Everyone who got up in the early hours of the morning in 1988 to watch the games against Australia will always remember his long range try that secured Great Britain's win in the 3rd test. Through hard work he rose to the very top, perhaps his finest hour as a player was when he captained a no hope GB side to victory in the 1990 tour of New Zealand. After his retirement as a player he made himself into one of the best young coaches in the British game.

There are effectively 3 parts to this book, the story of Mike's playing career, then his coaching career and then an account of the debilitating illness that he is now struggling against. All three are worth reading and together they make this a must read for any Rugby League fan.

It would be easy to say buy this book because everyone who watched Mike Gregory play admired him and everyone who knows of Mike's current plight must feel sorry for him, but this book stands on it's own merits. The playing memories are an entertaining read and the bits about his coaching career are fascinating. His account of the behind the scenes goings on at Wigan must have been an embarrassing read for Dave Whelan and Maurice Lindsay, and gives a few pointers to the reasons for that club's relative lack of success in the Super League era.

Buy the book !

Just Buy The Book
If you only buy one Rugby League (or even sports) book this year make it this one.

Mike Gregory's story will not fail to move you

G Nevison - Leeds
A great read and a very moving story.
What a great player and a devoted family man who received great support from his wife throughout his illness.
You can make your own mind up on the Wigan "bosses" who clearly failed to look after this sporting legend.