New Paperback
Out NOW!
We are delighted to announce the release of our new paperback ‘The Remarkable Story of Fred Spiksley. Released to coincide with Euro 2020 the book is an update on our twice sold out 2016 release, Flying Over An Olive Grove.
Pen & Sword books have produced a wonderful edition of our work and with Father’s Day just one week away it would make the ideal gift for anyone interested in football history, particularly those who enjoyed the hugely popular Netflix series; The English Game.
Clive and Mark have received many messages of thanks over the last few years from people who had purchased our book as a present for that ‘difficult-to-buy-for’ dad, grandad or uncle and how well the gift was received. Long may this continue!
The book is available from amazon with next day delivery available so last call for Fathers Day.
You can purchase copies by clicking on the following links
15 New Images & Two Brand New Chapters
Pen & Sword have rebranded the book with a new title, front cover to achieve a wider appeal. The content has also been edited to further broaden the appeal to all football supporters of all clubs, whilst those who already have the original will be interested in 15 new photographs and brand new research into Fred Spiksley’s coaching career which has added two new chapters; The Club By The Coast and Scientific Football.
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Guardian Newspaper Spiksley Podcast
We are delighted that The Guardian have developed an 18 minute podcast based on their 2017 newspaper article. You can listen to it here. If you have just discovered Fred Spiksley’s amazing story and would like a copy of our book then please subscribe to our newsletter as we are releasing a soft-back update later in the year after the hardback sold-out twice over. We will also keep you updated on the progress of the documentary film where filming should recommence soon.
Crystal Palace 1861 or 1905?
After Crystal Palace FC have recently staked a claim to be recognised as the World’s Oldest League Club we thought we may take a look into this. Our findings can be viewed for free on this website. The document has been shared with Crystal Palace FC and we encourage it to be shared as widely as possible. Click on the image to be taken to our dedicated webpage.
Free Digital Book
Mark and Clive have teamed up with John Brodie and Jason Dickinson to release a Free Digital book for Sheffield Wednesday fans (and others) to enjoy during the national Covid-19 lockdown. Hopefully introducing some new people to the story and players behind the 1896 FA Cup triumph.
For those that would like a physical copy this is available through Amazon with all profits going to the S6 Foodbank. For free or paid copies of the book click on the image above for further details.
Spanish Podcast Feature
We recently discovered that in November the Spanish podcast Bed and Breakfast, which is about English football, did a feature on Fred Spiksley. This website does receive a good number of Spanish speaking visitors each month so we are delighted that they will be able to listen to Fred’s story in Spanish. The feature lasts almost 10 minutes and can be found by clicking on the Bed and Breakfast logo and listening to the audio from the 50 minute mark.
Recalled books now sold out – Subscribe to newsletter to receive info on soft back release.
As much as we are delighted to say that our book has exceeded all expectations in selling out it is, at this moment in time, obviously now more challenging to spread Fred Spiksley’s wonderful life story.
Our film is about 50% complete and when it is released a new soft back version of Flying Over an Olive Grove will be released. It will have a different name and will include some updates and a different mix of photographs.
Please subscribe to out mailing list at the bottom of this page to receive information of the books release.
USA Radio Appearance
Listen to Mark and Clive discuss Fred’s colourful life in this 12 minute feature from 2018.
Our Flier
If you have just discovered Fred’s story on the BBC website then you can view our flier here to see what everyone said about his amazing life and our book. Click Here
BBC Online published a feature on Fred Spiksley on 13 November written by Phil Dawkes. We have since received many requests for how our book can be purchased. The book came out in 2016 and has sold out twice over. It’s amazing to think that a story of a previously forgotten about footballer has sold to thousands of people with only a handful ever being sold on second hand. However, the last 50 copies we have sold off ourselves on eBay. The bbc article sold out all the remaining copies, but after a few phone calls we have called back in 20 books. If you would like to get one then they are available on eBay here. The books are priced at £15 inc. p&p and when they are gone that’s it.
To read Phil Dawkes BBC feature click here
Documentary Film
We are currently filming our crowdfunded film; The Dream, A Football Story, which is based on our sold out Fred Spiksley biography; Flying Over An Olive Grove. Like the book the film will tell the story of the birth and development of the beautiful game through the remarkable story of forgotten football legend Fred Spiksley.
For further information on our film and who has backed us please read the following overview:
Since our successful kickstarter campaign, which saw football supporters up and down the country backing us, we have spent time assembling a team, writing a two hour script, buying props and recruiting the people who will tell Fred’s Story.
Filming commenced in April where we visited the home of Gainsborough Trinity to film their last match of 2019 against South Shields. We have since filmed at Villa Park, Molineux and across various historical football sites in Lancashire. In the coming weeks we will be filming at various locations with will include; The Georges Park, The National Football Museum, The Scottish Football Museum and various of locations around the city of Sheffield.
The voiceover for the film will be performed by distinguished Merseyside football journalist and radio presenter John Kieth. On screen anchors will be provided by Sheffield football journalist Alan Biggs and up and coming West End Actress Jane Crawshaw (Great Grandaughter of Sheffield Wednesday legend Tommy Crawshaw). Experts and famous footballing faces have also been lined up to help bring Spiksley’s forgotten story back to life.
Introducing Rough Jersey
Our production company is now up and running with The Dream, A Football Story set to be its first major release. Rough Jersey will continue to produce documentary shorts that bring back to life the history of our national game.
The Fred Spiksley Biography 