{"title":"Maurice Bamford","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"vince-karalius-book-maurice-bamford-9781904091165","title":"Vince Karalius","description":"Former Great Britain Rugby League coach, Maurice Bamford, tells the story of one his heroes from the game: Vince Karalius. Maurice relates how young Vince signed for the great St Helens club in 1952 and quickly carved out a reputation as one of the toughest and most skilful forwards in the game, winning many trophies with the team, including the Challenge Cup in 1956 and 1961 (as captain). Selected for the 1958 tour down-under, he established himself as the scourge of the Australians and earned the nickname from the Aussie press: 'the Wild Bull of the Pampas'. Moving on to his home town club, Widnes, Vince captained the team to victory in the Challenge Cup in 1964. Then returning as coach in 1972, he steered the club to the Lancashire Cup and the Challenge Cup in 1975 and developed a skilful, athletic team that earned the title 'Cup Kings' over the next decade. After a sojourn coaching the mighty Wigan, Vince returned once more to Widnes and again guided the club to Wembley glory in 1984. In 2000, Vince Karalius became one of the few players inducted into the Rugby League Hall of Fame in recognition of his awesome ability on the pitch and his technical and tactical 'nous' as a coach. Maurice Bamford captures the essence and character of this tremendous hero in \"Vince Karalius: A Rugby League Legend\".","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"GB \/ VERY_GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":49508841193745,"sku":"GOR004752705","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"GB \/ GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":53391922659601,"sku":"GOR006659008","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/1904091164.jpg?v=1751437139"},{"product_id":"warrior-book-maurice-bamford-9781904091486","title":"The Warrior","description":"Over six feet tall, built like a brick outhouse, with power, pace and superb passing skills, Jeff Grayshon was destined to be a rugby league star the moment he picked up the oval ball. Establishing himself as a young second-row forward in the iconic Dewsbury side that lifted the Championship in 1973, Jeff headed down under for a season in Australia with Cronulla, before joining the great Bradford Northern side in 1978. Under coach Peter Fox and playing at prop forward he immediately became a pivotal member in an outstanding Bradford team that lifted the Regal Trophy and the Championship twice in back-to-back seasons.  On the international front, Jeff's club form had not gone unnoticed as he was selected for the 1979 Tour down under where, demonstrating his skills and power, he gained the first of 13 Great Britain caps.  In 1985, now a senior at 36, Jeff transferred to Leeds and, despite his years, he became the inspirational front man in the Loiners' superb performing pack before returning to Bradford two years later. Unfortunately catastrophe stuck in that season at Odsal when a badly broken leg looked to have ended Jeff's career but against all expectations, the great man recovered and started the 1988-89 season in fine form at Featherstone Rovers.  In 1991, Jeff moved on to Batley where he continued to make an impact playing until he retired in 1995 at the veteran age of 45 and receiving the MBE for his services to the game. Written by former GB coach Maurice Bamford, this is the story of Jeff Grayson, a powerful, skilled player and a true rugby league warrior.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"GB \/ VERY_GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":49520098214161,"sku":"GOR003743473","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/1904091482.jpg?v=1751442949"},{"product_id":"second-half-book-maurice-bamford-9781904091219","title":"The Second Half","description":"In the follow up to his first successful book of humorous anecdotes, Play with a Smile, former Great Britain coach, Maurice Bamford, has penned a new series of funny stories from the world of rugby league in The Second Half. Encapsulating the grit and toughness combined with the down to earth humour that has existed in the game from its earliest days, The Second Half features many famous players, and a number not so famous, but all sharing the trait of being characters who could laugh at themselves in one of the hardest games in the world. Players such as Jim Mills, Barrie McDermott, Fran Cotton, Shaun Edwards and Eddie Cunningham, plus a few supporting personalities from the past, including Billy Watts, the Leeds timekeeper, Workington Chairman, Tom Mitchell and journalist Keith Macklin are featured. All contribute to the humour with tales such as: The Fearless Russian Bear from Vladivostok, A Prop in Love, Can You Trust the Referee? and Never Mind the Hooter, Play On. Stories portraying quirks of the sport that are guaranteed to make you smile!","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"GB \/ VERY_GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":49546953326865,"sku":"GOR003438209","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"GB \/ GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":49596344140049,"sku":"GOR001787181","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"GB \/ WELL_READ \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":49636466065681,"sku":"GOR012643562","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/1904091210.jpg?v=1751424256"},{"product_id":"last-of-the-dinosaurs-book-maurice-bamford-9780956007520","title":"Last of the Dinosaurs","description":null,"brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"GB \/ VERY_GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":49552236904721,"sku":"GOR003624890","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"GB \/ GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":49659755364625,"sku":"GOR006288431","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"GB \/ WELL_READ \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":51819898437905,"sku":"GOR014411717","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/095600752X.jpg?v=1751397218"},{"product_id":"bamford-book-maurice-bamford-9781903158272","title":"Bamford","description":null,"brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"GB \/ VERY_GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":49564463202577,"sku":"GOR004134353","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/1903158273.jpg?v=1751123694"},{"product_id":"rugby-league-book-maurice-bamford-9781852235604","title":"Rugby League","description":"In this guide to rugby league, the author emphasises the importance of an all-round approach to the game, with chapters on fitness and nutrition, football psychology and mini-league. The basic team and individual skills are outlined in detail as are the new approaches and techniques finding their way into the game. Players and coaches from both the amateur and professional codes should find this book of interest.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"GB \/ VERY_GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":49567197495569,"sku":"GOR001281248","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/1852235608.jpg?v=1751378528"},{"product_id":"one-hundred-winters-book-maurice-bamford-9781904091332","title":"One Hundred Winters","description":"Many words have been written by historians and supporters of the game of rugby league - about its beginnings and the reasons for the break away in 1895 and the massive impact that historic move had. However One Hundred Winters, by Maurice Bamford, is written by someone who has been at the sharp end of the game and has seen a myriad of changes in over 65 years of service as player, coach and writer. As the author relates, the game just did not start and stop with the break away - the ripples of rebellion that raced out of The George Hotel on 29 August 1895 had far reaching and sometimes disastrous effects on many of the smaller clubs clambering to be free of the shackles of the autocrats in Twickenham. This book not only covers that momentous event in Huddersfield but also the many offshoots, impacts and developments of the game. In One Hundred Winters Maurice Bamford describes the evolvement of rugby league through the perspective of the players, directors, the rules and regulations, the logistics of travel before the motorway systems, the referees, the changing power of the press, the game tactics, the dangerous job of the early scouts who risked their lives in the task of signing rugby union players and the general movement from the dark into the light.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"GB \/ VERY_GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":49570566308113,"sku":"GOR003074606","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/1904091334.jpg?v=1751445256"},{"product_id":"play-with-a-smile-book-maurice-bamford-9781904091127","title":"Play with a Smile","description":"Maurice Bamford, former coach of Great Britain, Wigan, Leeds, Huddersfield, Bramley, Workington, Halifax and more, relates a series of tales that capture the spirit of the tough yet humorous men who played rugby league at amateur and professional level yet held down a full time day job at the same time. Builders, drivers, schoolteachers, policemen, butchers, bakers and candlestick makers - all contributed to the 80 minutes of entertainment at the weekend with only two evenings training each week. These men - English, Welsh, Aussies, Kiwis and more, were real characters, dedicated to the game and they enthralled the crowds who waited impatiently for the winter weekends to come around. Play with a Smile tells just some of the comical tales that surrounded these brave men; from the coach who had a fight with the opposing team's mascot - a six foot blue dragon, to the winger who was transferred to pay for a zoo's lion!","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"GB \/ VERY_GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":49578545479953,"sku":"GOR001360377","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/1904091121.jpg?v=1751092527"},{"product_id":"touch-of-class-book-maurice-bamford-9781904091394","title":"A Touch of Class","description":"Raised within 200 yards of Naughton Park and a member of the Myler\/Karalius dynasty it's little wonder that Frank Myler became a legend of rugby league. Spending his early years in war torn Britain (where he developed his unique brand of humour), Frank was first introduced to rugby league at junior school and quickly made his mark as a loose forward. At age 15, Warrington and Leigh approached Frank, but he followed his heart, waited and signed for his home town club, Widnes.  Once at Widnes, his transition from schoolboy loose forward to professional stand off half was seamless. His record speaks for itself when after only a few 'A' team games, Frank made his memorable debut for the first team at age 17, scoring two fine tries in the 18-2 win. The adventure that would take Frank to a superb Wembley victory and halfway around the world three times had begun.  A Touch of Class charts Frank's early playing career at Widnes through to his move to Saint Helens and his twilight years as player-coach at Rochdale before his retirement from playing. Fascinating excerpts from Frank's memoirs provide unique insights into his three Lions tours including his glorious tour as Lions captain in their famous 1970 victory and his 1984 tour as coach.  Frank's toughness and sheer rugby league ability stands out in this thoughtful account of his distinguished career and illustrates he was a player to sit back and admire.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"GB \/ GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":49596236431633,"sku":"GOR004995523","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"GB \/ VERY_GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":49614023295249,"sku":"GOR005304416","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"GB \/ WELL_READ \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":51433378185489,"sku":"GOR010201667","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/1904091393.jpg?v=1750900432"},{"product_id":"play-to-win-book-maurice-bamford-9781903659212","title":"Play to Win","description":null,"brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"GB \/ VERY_GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":49723777286417,"sku":"GOR004426357","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/1903659213.jpg?v=1750867200"},{"product_id":"rugby-league-book-maurice-bamford-9781852231972","title":"Rugby League","description":null,"brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"GB \/ VERY_GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":50315289395473,"sku":"GOR003915513","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/1852231971.jpg?v=1751060850"},{"product_id":"arthur-clues-book-maurice-bamford-9781904091264","title":"Arthur Clues","description":"Pundit and former GB rugby league coach, Maurice Bamford, tells the story of Leeds and Hunslet favourite, Arthur Clues, arguably the greatest Australian rugby league forward of all time who possessed superb skills with a fearsome reputation to match! Maurice relates 'Big Arthur's' early days in Australia where he established himself in the Australian rugby league Test side and also excelled in rugby union and cricket. He describes Arthur's motivations to travel to England in 1947, at just 22 years of age, to establish himself in the famous Leeds team. Maurice conveys with enthusiasm the manner in which Big Arthur demonstrated his skills on the pitch, his turn of pace and deft side-step (amazing for such a big man) coupled with his bone crunching tackles, pin-point passing and superb kicking game.He also relates Arthur's eagerness to intimidate and mix it in the 'rough stuff' much to the apprehension of his opponents. In 1954 Clues shocked the rugby league world by signing for Leeds' close neighbours and fierce rivals, Hunslet. Maurice describes the impact his move had on the game and how the Hunslet fans took the man to their hearts. Big Arthur Clues, a fearsome rugby league player, a man opposing supporters loved to hate but would have welcomed with open arms had he joined their club!","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"- \/ - \/ -","offer_id":50479489712401,"sku":"","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"GB \/ VERY_GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":50479490171153,"sku":"GOR003700294","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/1904091261.jpg?v=1751437668"},{"product_id":"hunslet-through-and-through-book-maurice-bamford-9781903659465","title":"Hunslet Through and Through","description":null,"brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"- \/ - \/ -","offer_id":50628055007505,"sku":"","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"GB \/ VERY_GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":50628055400721,"sku":"GOR006684752","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/1903659469.jpg?v=1750834786"}],"url":"https:\/\/www.worldofbooks.com\/en-gb\/collections\/author-books-by-maurice-bamford.oembed","provider":"World of Books ","version":"1.0","type":"link"}