Saturday, October 17, 2009

Thursday 15 Oct 2009
The six books short-listed for the 21st annual William Hill Sports Book of the Year (in association with Waterstone's), have been announced by the sponsors:

RICK BROADBENT: Ring of Fire: The inside story of Valentino Rossi and MotoGP (Bantam)

NICHOLAS CLEE: Eclipse: Story of the Rogue, the Madam, the Horse that changed racing (Bantam)

JOHN DANIELL: Confessions of a Rugby Mercenary (Ebury)

DUNCAN HAMILTON: Harold Larwood: The authorized biography of the world's fastest bowler (Quercus)
IAN HAWKEY: Feet of the Chameleon; The Story of African Football (Portico)

GRAHAM JOYCE: Simple Goalkeeping Made Spectacular (Mainstream)

'From the record number of 152 entries for the 21st annual William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award, 13 were selected for the Long-list, and the judges have now decided on the six titles which make up the Short-list for the world's richest and most prestigious sportsbook award.' said William Hill spokesman and founder of the Award, Graham Sharpe.
The Winning title will receive £21,000 cash and a £2000 free bet from William Hill; a Hand-bound designer-created copy and an Invitation to day at the races. Runners Up receive £3000 cash; £1000 free bet from William Hill and Leather-bound copy. Long-listed titles not short-listed get a £250 free bet from William Hill and a Commemorative certificate.
Duncan Hamilton won in 2007 with Brian Clough-themed, 'Provided You Don't Kiss Me', and will be the first author since Donald McRae to win twice should he be successful.
No book about Motorsport has yet won the Award.
Last year's winner was Marcus Trescothick's autobiography, 'Coming Back To Me'.
Horse racing last won with Seabiscuit by Laura Hillenbrand in 2001 and Rugby Union last won with Stephen Jones' 'Endless Winter' in 1993.

The Judges are Broadcasters/journalists: John Inverdale; Danny Kelly; Hugh McIlvanney; Alyson Rudd and the Chairman is John Gaustad (founder of Sportspages bookshop).
The winner will be announced at Waterstone's, Piccadilly, London from 1.30pm on Thursday, 26th November, 2009.

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