Sporting Heroes of Essex and East London 1960-2000, by Dr Phil Stevens

Simon Redfern
Saturday 15 May 2010 19:00 EDT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Despite the narrow focus suggested by the title, by placing two of England's titans of the period – Bobby Moore and Graham Gooch – at the book's core, Phil Stevens has broadened its appeal.

The links between footballer and cricketer were close: both were born into close-knit, working-class families from the East End – Stevens is illuminating on the symbiotic link between that area and Essex – both went to school in Leytonstone, Moore played cricket for Essex Youth, Gooch is a passionate West Ham fan.

Around these central characters the book darts off down a myriad byways, from Hackney Marshes in its heyday of 120 football pitches to women's cricket in Victoria Park. At times repetitive, in places overburdened with detail, this is nevertheless an entertaining muddle of a book.

Certainly the former Hammer Tony Cottee seems to have enjoyed it, as he lifted large chunks of the Introduction for his Foreword. Perhaps it's an Essex joke.

Published in hardback by Apex Publishing, £15.99

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in