From the pitch to the velodrome, 2023 has produced gold medal standard sport books, with memoirs from sporting legends alongside erudite and insightful sports writing. Cheer on your favourite read with our hand-picked selection of the year's best sport books below.
A hugely inspiring memoir from the Lionesses' manager, What it Takes is filled with honest and illuminating insights into both Sarina Wiegman’s life and career and her vision for a transformative and inclusive future for football.
The third instalment in Dunn's definitive study of the current women's game in England, The Reign of the Lionesses reflects on European glory and how the after effects have been felt throughout the footballing pyramid.
From the author of Fall and A Very English Scandal comes a glorious footballing underdog story as a flamboyant rock star and savvy manager combine to haul Watford FC from the basement of the Football League to the giddy heights of the First Division.
The three-time winner of the William Hill Sports Book of the Year revisits the sparkling success of England's sole World Cup Final win and the heartache and self-inflicted disasters that followed in this masterpiece of sporting insight and revisionist analysis.
The beloved king of football banter tells his remarkable life story, tracing a path from racist abuse on the terraces as a player through to his managerial career and legendary tenure as Soccer Saturday pundit.
In this extraordinary tale of lower league football and Hollywood glamour, 'Super' Paul Mullin lifts the lid on his time at Wrexham FC as the club battle for promotion under the watchful eyes of celebrity owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.
The former footballer and author of the acclaimed The Accidental Footballer recounts his turbulent tenure as both player and Chief Executive of Scottish First Division side Motherwell in this rollicking, eye-opening and moving account of running a professional football club.
Chronicling the ever-popular Firmino's eight-year-spell at Anfield, Si Senor is the characteristically charming and candid memoir from Liverpool's on-pitch 'engine.'
In this heartwarming and riotously funny book, Jonathan Sayer charts his misadventures as the chairman of semi-professional football club Ashton United FC.
The visionary Irish footballer traces his career in this honest and fascinating memoir brimming with amusing anecdotes and passion for the beautiful game.
Two highly respected sports journalists delve into the murky world of footballing transfer windows in this insightful and frequently eye-opening account of billionaires, elite athletes and a global entertainment industry.
The full story of the man who turned Arsenal into one of the most exciting clubs in the league, this revealing biography sheds light on Gunners manager Mikel Arteta's philosophy, tactical innovations and strategic genius.
A definitive biography of the only man to have both captained and managed World Cup-winning teams, The Three Lives of the Kaiser charts the long, fascinating career of the legendary German footballer and manager Franz Beckenbauer.
A heartbreakingly moving testament to the enduring memories that football can create, Lloyd's exquisitely written volume documents his father's indissoluble bond with Manchester United during the final months of his life.
From You are the Ref to Joao Havelange's Moral Maze, the anarchic, freewheeling footie podcast finally gets a brilliantly funny and occasionally informative book, boasting contributors such as Barney Ronay, Suzie Wrack and David Squires.
Cricketing great Stuart Broad - who announced his retirement from the sport in July - delivered his fascinating autobiography this year, whilst the irrepresible Phil Tufnell revealed the wilder side of international touring - a subject treated with a little more seriousness by Simon Wilde in his history of the England team overseas, The Tour.
Boasting the finest sports writers, from Gideon Haigh and Jon Hotten to Emma John and Tanya Aldred, the 160th edition of the undisputed cricketing bible abounds in facts, figures, trivia and opinion.
From his jaw-dropping 8-15 spell against Australia to his retirement following the 2023 Ashes, the star England cricketer charts his incredible career with honesty and warmth in this landmark memoir.
Written with Tufnell's trademark cheeky charm and ready wit, The Tourist takes readers on a globe-trotting tour of cricketing indiscretions and side-splitting anecdotes.
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One of British sport's wisest and most thoughtful figures, former England cricket captain Brearley reflects on his life and career drawing in lessons and insights he has gained from his experience as a trained psychoanalyst.
The breathlessly exciting 2023 Ashes Tests evoked in erudite, entertaining prose by one of the greatest living cricket writers, Haigh's remarkable chronicle brims with incident and insight.
From the controversial Bodyline tour to challenging visits to Pakistan and India at times of national unrest, Wilde's definitive, highly entertaining history of the English cricket team's overseas exploits is packed with incident and anecdote.
Chronicling one of the most exciting revolutions in contemporary sport, Bazball tells the story of how England head coach Brendon McCullum and captain Ben Stokes created a brand new Test cricket format.
Rugby Union legend Kevin Sinfield dominated rugby publishing this year with both his inspiring memoir The Extra Mile and his co-written tribute to the friendship he enjoys with ex-Leeds teammate Rob BurrowWith You Every Step garnering much acclaim and attention. Meanwhile, former-All Black Dan Carter shared the leadership skills he learnt on the pitch, Danny Cipriani pulled no punches in his explosive autobiography and Lawrence Dallaglio thrillingly recounted a landmark World Cup triumph.
The inspirational, heart-rending memoir of a true Rugby League legend, The Extra Mile documents not just Sinfield's sporting achievements throughout an illustrious career but also the heroism he has displayed in raising money for the Motor Neurone Disease that has afflicted his best friend and fellow rugby star Rob Burrow.
Adorned with black line art from the UK's top illustrators, With You Every Step is a heartfelt and inspiring celebration of friendship for readers of all ages from rugby legends and best friends Rob Burrow and Kevin Sinfield.
In this raw and compelling memoir, England rugby star Danny Cipriani reflects both on his mercurial success and the flipside of fame with utmost candour.
The rugby legend follows up his self-titled memoir with a practical and enlightening volume of advice on the complexities of leadership, from how to effectively manage a team to building resilience for when things don't go to plan.
Both a respected sportsman and entrepreneur, Haskell has had to challenge himself time and again to achieve his goals and in Approach Without Caution the rugby legend distils the lessons he's learned throughout his career for his readers' benefit.
Tracing the careers of the 2003 World Cup winning England rugby team before and after their momentous achievement, former captain Dallaglio and Owen Slot recount a remarkable sporting story on its twentieth anniversary.
Essential reading for all rugby fans, Around the World in 80 Minutes takes the reader on a deeply perceptive and hugely entertaining adventure in the world of rugby, reflecting both on the history and future of this spellbinding sport.
Writing on cycling has traditionally been of very high quality and 2023 was no exception, with Ned Boulting's engrossing investigation into the participants of the 1923 Tour de France and Matt Rendell's page-turning account of Spanish cycling's darkest hour.
From the peaks of Snowdonia to the sunny shores of California, the celebrated Welsh cyclist Geraint Thomas shares his favourite rides from around the world in this inspiring volume, perfect for all cycling aficionados.
In this engaging melange of sports writing, history, travelogue and detective story, ITV's head cycling commentator and author of On the Road Bike explores a short piece of film footage from the 1923 Tour de France and shares his fascinating investigations into the riders featured.
From the author of The Death of Marco Pantani comes an enthralling descent into corruption and doping in Spanish cycling, as a once revered champion becomes embroiled in a national scandal.
A breathtaking account of an extraordinary achievement, Coffee First, Then the World details Jenny Graham's record-breaking cycling odyssey around the world through vivid anecdotes and inspiring incident.
Step into the ring with boxing champion Amir Khan's highly anticipated autobiography and explore the outer reaches of endurance with Louise Minchin and some extraordinary women athletes.
Filled with warmth, candour and entertaining anecdotes, Amir Khan’s powerful memoir takes in the highs and lows of his incredible nearly three-decade-long career in boxing.
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In this insightful window into the Traveller way of life, John Fury delivers revealing and candid reflections on his extraordinary life and his son Tyson's sporting success as Britain's foremost heavyweight boxing champion.
The inspirational story of two Scottish brothers who overcame adversity to become the world's strongest siblings, Lifting is a raw, passionate and surprisingly moving account of both physical and mental strength.
The campaigner and endurance athlete chronicles in moving prose how he has found the strength, resilience and positive mindset to continue after his daughter's tragic death from leukaemia.
From freediving in Finnish ice to cycling across Argentina, the much-loved broadcaster and author of Dare to Tri recounts her adventures of endurance and courage with eighteen extraordinary women.
In his compelling and candid memoir, world champion snooker player Ronnie O'Sullivan shares twelve powerful lessons he has learnt during his three-decade career, taking in triumphs, mistakes and the secrets of peak performance.
Awash with tips, history and anecdotes, this delightful celebration of fishing from legendary comedian and co-presenter of Gone Fishing Paul Whitehouse and angling expert John Bailey explores the eternal allure of the past-time.
A captivating meditation on capturing fish, this inspiring book from Chris Yates is perfect reading for both those who are already fans of this fascinating activity or yet to discover its many joys.
A lyrical love letter to the power of solo sailing, King's reflective volume celebrates the sportspeople and mavericks who found solace and contemplation in an arduous and dangerous seascape.
The Haas Formula 1 boss and show-stealing star of Netflix's Drive to Survive takes readers through a full F1 season - from hiring and firing drivers to the race calendar itself - in his own inimitable fashion.
An enlightening biography of the Formula One sensation, his illustrious racing heritage and his titanic rivalry with seven-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton.
Heart-rending and truly inspirational, Unique tells the much-loved Olympian's eventful life story with particular emphasis on her identity as a gay woman, from living in fear of being outed in the military and at major sporting events to the freedom and contentment she has felt after publicly coming out.
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Kelly Holmes: Unique - A Memoir: Signed Edition (Hardback)
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From sporting facts and trivia courtesy of the Q.I. Elves to developing a winning mentality with Jake Humphrey, discover the year's best books on a general sporting theme.
From pole-vaulting priests to exploding billiard balls, a couple of QI Elves kick off a riotously entertaining collection of fascinating sporting facts and trivia.
Encapsulating the recipe for success in five simple steps, How to Change Your Life draws from both cutting-edge research and interviews with world-leading athletes and founders to reflect on how to achieve and surpass your goals.
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A riveting and richly-textured slice of social history, More Than a Game traces the links between the British passion for sport, national identity and various forms of social change in telling detail.
From football wars to nation building, Everybody Wants to Rule the World is a fascinating investigation into how sports shaped British culture and society in the 1980s.
Ranging from greyhound racing to Rubik's Cubes, Harvey's affectionate account of a year of sporting fandom in the wake of his brother's death is a poignant and engaging read.
Expanding from Peters' original research on head injuries in rugby to encompass football, NFL and other contact sports, Concussed is a searing investigation into a worryingly widespread phenomenon.
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