Behind The Back Page / Pitch Publishing (ePub)

You have read the back pages - here Christopher Davies tells the stories behind the stories. Recounting the tales of his 40 years as a sports reporter in places as diverse as Albania, Nigeria, Malaysia, Colombia, Japan, New York...and even the Vatican which he visited with the Republic of Ireland squad during Italia 90. Davies opens the lid on a career spent rubbing shoulders with some of the greatest sports icons at the world's biggest sporting events. He reveals how he was mistaken for Christ and that he was spied on by the KGB. A great mix of drama, intrigue and humour 'Behind the Back Page' gives a fascinating insight to one of the most sought-after of jobs."e;One of the funniest things I have ever read. Some of the reminiscences will have fellow journalists purring nostalgically and empathising with the frustrations of life on the road - dodgy hotel rooms, faulty lap-tops, deaf copy-takers. But, at the same time, all sports fans will love to read how it really is. I've heard some of the Jack Charlton stories on the circuit, but - even sitting alone in my lounge - I was still helpless with laughter as Chris re-told the tales of those vintage days with Ireland. If you were making a documentary about life on the front-line as a national sports journalist, then this would be your script: humour, reality and - above all - a genuine sense that the author remembers (when other hacks sometimes forget) just what a wonderful professional life he's been fortunate to live!"e; --Peter Drury, ITV Sport"e;Prepare to be entertained."e; --Alan McKinlay, Daily Mirror"e;Christopher Davies has a wealth of experience as a national newspaper journalist - and a wealth of stories to go with it. He tells them with great wit too... a funny guy!"e; --Ian Ridley"e;Journalists like to imagine that theirs is a serious, stressful profession. The truth, at least as far as football reporters is concerned, is that it is a great life. Christopher Davies happily acknowledges that truth and his book takes the reader behind the scenes for a peek at the privileged, joyful business of being in the football media and a close-up view of some of the biggest names and biggest events of the game."e; -- Mick Dennis, Daily ExpressAuthor Biog: Christopher Davies has spent more than 40 years reporting the beautiful game, 20 of those with the Daily Telegraph. He's clocked up 64 countries, 9 World Cups, 9 European Championships, 17 European club finals, almost 200 Republic of Ireland internationals, 18 Super Bowls, 2 muggings (victim not perpetrator), and even had an audience with the Pope - all contributing to a million happy memories. A former chairman of the Football Writers' Association, he can be heard regularly on talkSPORT and is now part of the People's sports reporting team. Davies lives in Bromley, enjoys cooking and drinking New Zealand sauvignon blanc.