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Rocket Men
Rocket Men
Oct 2, 2024 12:32 AM

Author:Ron Haslam,Leon Haslam

Rocket Men

'Rocket' Ron Haslam started racing on the professional circuit in 1972 at the age of 15 and developed into one of the finest, and fastest, racers the UK has ever seen. Winner of three World titles and four British championships, as well as a record six Macau GPs, he rode in more than 100 Grands Prix. Despite tragically losing two of his brothers in motorbike accidents, Haslam kept on riding, setting speed records wherever he went.

His son, Leon, the 'Pocket Rocket', is following in his father's extremely speedy footsteps. A national Motorcross champion and national Scooter champion at the age of just 14, he became the youngest ever rider to compete in the 500cc World Championship and is now one of Britain's top racers, competing for Stiggy Honda in the World Superbike Championship.

This is the extraordinary story of a father and a son who are addicted to motorbikes, with all the thrills and spills, miraculous escapes and multiple broken bones that involves. Both colourful characters, their story takes us all the way from the 1970s to today and is full of hilarious high-octane derring-do, a cast of characters including legends like Fast Freddie Spencer and Barry Sheene, and nothing less than terrifying but exhilarating adventure.

Reviews

Marcotti, an Italian football writer living in London, was born to write this book. He researched it in terrifying detail, like an American biography. One conclusion about Capello: "No grudges are ever held and you are only ever judged on performance."

—— Financial Times

The Don Uncovered... Intriguing insight into England's enigmatic coach... A thought-provoking, impeccably researched book on an enigmatic subject

—— FourFourTwo

This is a formidable piece of journalism mixing library research, expansive football knowledge, dozens of interviews with Capello eyewitnesses and even a few titbits from the man himself. Marcotti goes beyond the superficial public assumptions about his subject... this is a serious book about a serious chap... a detailed and lucid analysis

—— Pete May , Football 365

Meticulously researched

—— Brian Viner , Independent

Marcotti has an unrivalled network of contacts, and writes with authority and style... an intriguing portrait

—— Liam Doyle , The Bookseller

Informative, entertaining

—— When Saturday Comes

Extremely detailed, well-researched, informative and entertaining

—— Steve Amoia , soccerlens.com

Motty, like Pele and Madonna, needs no other form of identification.

—— Alan Fraser

The FA Cup final without Motty is almost unthinkable. Because, like the competition itself, Motty is a hopeless romantic.

—— Graham Wray , People

This is a man in love with his calling.

—— Jim White , Daily Telegraph

Motty is, in the words of the old cliché, a legend in his own lifetime. He has brought knowledge of and passion for football direct into the homes of millions - he is a national institution, recognised and loved. He is also a thoroughly decent bloke.

—— Tony Blair

John Motson has for many years been the undisputed true voice of English football.

—— Sir Bobby Robson

There is no doubting Motty is a footie hero ... this will be an ideal stocking-filler for dads at Christmas

—— News of the World

Like Cheryl Cole and Lincolnshire sausages, John Motson is a national treasure to be cherished. From his verbal scraps with Brian Clough to the traumatic Hillsborough tragedy, his autobiography reveals the man behind the microphone.

—— Sport Magazine

John Motson is an institution and his commentaries on Match of the Day are part of the fabric of football. The BBC legend has been behind the microphone for 40 years, covering just about every big match going.

—— Metro

Bright and breezy ... it reflects on a lifetime watching football matches big and small and of bumping into all the heroes of the game

—— Sunday Express

Strangely compelling memoir by one of the best-known sports commentators of his generation. If you cannot remember what colour shirts Newcastle United wore in 1972 when they were drummed out of the FA Cup by Hereford ... this is the book for you

—— Financial Times 'Books of the Year'

Motty's knowledge and passion for football are unrivalled as he shares his story for the first time with humour and honesty.

—— Oxford Times

Filled with a multitude of detail about Motson's background and the sporting times he lived through ...Motson is one of the most intelligent and accomplished commentators in history, a voice that has conveyed the best (and worst, depending on your allegiance) moments in the recent past of the game. His book offers a fascinating look at what goes on behind the scenes of football broadcasting, as well as a trip down memory lane for many supporters. A must-read for any football fan.

—— Sunday Business Post

The voice of the sheepskinned sage and cult hero John Motson will doubtless be heard at the 2010 tournament, and he reminisces on his career to date in the amusing Motty: Forty Years in the Commentary Box

—— Independent on Sunday 'Books of the Year'
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