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The Love of the Game: Parenthood, Sport and Me Hardcover – 3 Nov. 2016

by Mark Chapman (Author)
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 41 ratings
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BBC sports presenter Mark Chapman is no longer in his physical prime. There is an argument to suggest he has never been in his physical prime. Now in his forties, he is facing a world of knee replacements and ever-expanding waistlines, whilst his children are thriving.

There is huge pride that they are doing so well, mixed with a fair amount of jealousy that actually they are better at a wide range of sport than he ever was. He is passionate about sport and it has played a huge part in his life. His parents encouraged him from a very early age and he wants to pass the baton on to his son and daughters. Although there is every chance he might drop it and have a massive strop instead. He is also very aware of the huge changes in sport today compared to when he was growing up; and he is determined that his own attitude to his son and daughters' sport - be it football, netball, cricket or gymnastics - will be exactly the same. And he wants to shine a light on grass roots sports - the incredible and largely unsung contribution that volunteers make in the sporting commnity, without whom - for example - no professional footballer would be in the game today.

Funny, touching, passionate about sport and parenthood, Mark Chapman paints sport as a touchstone for everything important: growing up, becoming a parent, enjoying family time, getting old, learning how to win (and how to lose gracefully), the legacy we all hope to leave our children; in short, life and all that goes into it.

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  1. Print length
    272 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Weidenfeld & Nicolson
  4. Publication date
    3 Nov. 2016
  5. Dimensions
    16.19 x 2.54 x 24.45 cm
  6. ISBN-10
    1409163288
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1409163282
  8. See all details
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Product description

About the Author

Mark Chapman has been a professional broadcaster since 1996. He worked as a continuity announcer and cricket report before joining Radio 1. After a decade presenting the station's sport and cack-handedly DJ-ing its weekend shows, he joined BBC Radio 5 Live. He is the main presenter of 5LLIVE SPORT as well as the MONDAY NIGHT CLUB, MATCH OF THE DAY 2, as well as the BBC's Olympics, Rugby League and NFL coverage. He is the author of THE LOVE OF THE GAME: PARENTHOOD, SPORT AND ME.

He lives in Cheshire with his wife, son and two daughters."


He lives in Cheshire with his wife, son and two daughters.

@markchapman

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Weidenfeld & Nicolson (3 Nov. 2016)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 272 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1409163288
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1409163282
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 16.19 x 2.54 x 24.45 cm
  • Customer reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 41 ratings

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
41 global ratings

Top reviews from United Kingdom

Carr Boys Kindle
5.0 out of 5 stars Witty, warm and honest
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 9 June 2018
Verified Purchase
Thoroughly entertaining read and very amusing. It helps that I have kids of a similar age, am same age and had basically the same upbringing as Mark which made it so easy to read and relate to. Would highly recommend to any parent (not just sport mad ones) as makes you feel normal for struggling through the world of parenting and trying to do the best for your kids.
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars ... normally choose but I have to admit I wasn't disappointed its all here love
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 28 November 2016
Verified Purchase
Not the type of book I would normally choose but I have to admit I wasn't disappointed its all here love, passion, commitment, pride and of course humour in abundance and whether you love sport or are just a casual acquaintance its a must
3 people found this helpful
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Jago Wells
4.0 out of 5 stars Mark Chapman's The Love of the Game
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 31 January 2017
Vine Customer Review of Free Product( What's this? )
Mark Chapman is best known as the bearded Match of the Day 2 presenter who took over the role when Adrian Chiles and Colin Murray were moved sideways. Well...sacked actually for some reason as they were both good presenters I thought? Anyway...Mark Chapman who previously was a radio presenter is pretty good on the box with his witty laid back manner. and genial banter with his guests.
This is reflected in The Love of the Game where the author waxes lyrical about the role of sport in his own life and the life of his children.
Nothing too profound as you might guess but an easy stroll through the decades and the author's sporting life.
One person found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Heartfelt and honestly reassuring
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 26 October 2018
Verified Purchase
I loved this book, it is superbly written and follows a families journey through the many pitfalls of kids sport offering support,advice and guidance along the way. A must read!
One person found this helpful
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A E Foulkes
5.0 out of 5 stars Essential reading for any parent!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 23 April 2017
Verified Purchase
Superbly well written, showing the warmth and openness that Mark Chapman displays in his broadcasting. I was 'sick as a parrot' when the book ended.
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Patsy Mccaffrey
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 29 December 2016
Verified Purchase
Husband looking forward to reading it.
One person found this helpful
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Zipster Zeus
4.0 out of 5 stars Unexpectedly absorbing
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 30 January 2017
Vine Customer Review of Free Product( What's this? )
A very enjoyable book that seeps passion for sport and gives a good, rounded picture of the presenter. Plenty of humour, warmth and insight into what makes Chapman tick as a person beyond the role of TV personality. Unexpectedly absorbing- definitely recommend.
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A. Marczak
5.0 out of 5 stars Non-Competitive Dad Alert
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 25 July 2017
Vine Customer Review of Free Product( What's this? )
In an age where it seems necessary for every presenter, pundit or celebrity to have some kind of memoir of life story, sports books can be really hit and miss. As a sports reporter for Radio 1 before hitting the heights of Match Of The Day and prime time live sport, you'd think that Chappers doesn't have a very interesting life story to tell... and you'd be right. Thankfully, this is not that story. This is the story of a touchline parent, the dad that kicks every ball and takes every catch whilst watching their son, and how he treads the fine line between wanting his children to excel at their favourite sports without forgetting that it's supposed to be fun.

There's a feeling that he values his privacy, both in the way he describes events in both childhood and fatherhood, through his dalliance with coaching, his duties at the swimming galas and gymnastics competitions and his pride at his son's cricket prowess.

Perfect reading for dads of a certain age...
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