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It's Been Grand: ... Now it's Final Hardcover – 1 Oct. 2016

by Mike Stephenson (Author), Eddie Hemmings (Author)
4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 50 ratings
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Eddie Hemmings and Mike 'Stevo' Stephenson, the Sky Sports double act synonymous with rugby league for over a quarter of a century, are finally calling it a day. In 'It's Been Grand' the two veteran commentators tell the story of how their on-screen partnership was formed through a chance meeting. And they relate many of their tales of adventure, mayhem, mishap and success from their early days at BSB through to the present day with Sky TV. The stories include losing a Mercedes and gaining a Ford, creating 'Boots 'n' All' by pester-power and an inebriated invader on the TV gantry. They also relate many of their tour down under adventures such as a confrontation with a drunk former girlfriend, birthday celebrations with the Great Britain Test team and a bedroom with clean sheets but no walls. And others are not spared the Stevo and Eddie treatment either with tales of a free lunch at the expense of John Kear, the story of five Martin Offiah's and Maurice Lyndsey and the knife-throwing Apache. Alas, with Stevo's retirement at the end of the 2016 season, the partnership is coming to an end. But enjoy the fun, the japes and the catastrophes and celebrations of the last 28 years of rugby league TV commentary in Eddie and Stevo's 'It's Been Grand'.
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  1. Print length
    224 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Vertical Editions
  4. Publication date
    1 Oct. 2016
  5. Dimensions
    24.2 x 2.3 x 16.7 cm
  6. ISBN-10
    1904091970
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1904091974
  8. See all details
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Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Vertical Editions (1 Oct. 2016)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 224 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1904091970
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1904091974
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 24.2 x 2.3 x 16.7 cm
  • Customer reviews:
    4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 50 ratings

Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
50 global ratings

Top reviews from United Kingdom

Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars These two will be sadly missed.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 3 May 2019
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A good read and insight into broadcasting
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 14 October 2017
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Superb insight into the mad world of Stevo &Hemmings.;
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Paul Bailey
4.0 out of 5 stars A good read but needs corrections
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 17 October 2016
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I’ve given this book four stars because it made me laugh out loud. Despite recent events, Eddie and Stevo are unlikely to get the Nobel Prize for Literature, but they give an amusing and engaging account of their commentating adventures together. Not high art - and who would expect it to be? - but a good read.

However the book is let down by its presentation, which gives the impression that it was proof-read by Stevo after a long night on the booze. On the very first page, the first line of Eddie’s dedication reads “For those those who have been my greatest support…”. The second line of Chapter 1 has a printing error. Maurice Lindsay becomes variously “Lyndsay” and “Lindsey”. And so on.

There are also details which could have benefitted from more explanation. When Eddie first refers to the famous 1994 World Club Challenge, he mentions that it was played at “ANZ Stadium”. A casual reader might think this refers to the current ANZ Stadium in Sydney, whereas in fact it was held at the former Commonwealth Games Stadium in Nathan (a suburb of Brisbane); this stadium was called ANZ Stadium from 1993 to 2003. And indeed a bit further on Eddie does say that the match was played in Brisbane, but someone who isn’t a rugby league geek - as I am - might find this confusing.

But don’t be put off. And hopefully Vertical Editions will issue a second edition with corrections.
8 people found this helpful
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mc
3.0 out of 5 stars Had so much potential
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 28 January 2017
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Very disappointed this had so much to offer and the main thing I got out of it was how much Eddie looks like John Parrot! I expected many stories and tales plus laughs along the way- it failed to deliver these and in places was quite boring even in the Lanzarote sun over Xmas!
It was interesting to see how they both started and a bit of Stevo's playing career which we mostly forget he had a life before commentating.
One person found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 24 November 2016
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Came on time and undamaged, can't ask for more
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Nina Roberts
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 13 December 2016
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Brilliant
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Amazon Customer
3.0 out of 5 stars An OK read! That's all
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 6 January 2017
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It was an ok read - not as interesting and funny as I thought it would be. Good to see how it all started though
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Amazon Customer
3.0 out of 5 stars A decent T.R.Y for mine
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 25 January 2017
Eddie and Stevo – as a Rugby League fan, you either love ‘em or hate ‘em. I’m firmly in the former camp, and although this book is unlikely to change any opinions, I think it’s an entertaining read for anyone who has enjoyed a Rugby League match on Sky Sports over the past couple of decades, if not a bit of a missed opportunity.

Don’t come to this expecting an in depth autobiography – it’s more like an extended written version of an after dinner speech, plenty of tales of nights on the booze (and boy are there a LOT of tales of nights on the booze), fun and friendship. It’s hard not to wonder if this book was rushed out to commemorate Stevo’s retirement, as it could do with a lot of editing. Not just spelling mistakes and clumsy phrasing though; Eddie and Stevo take it in turns to narrate each chapter, and this leads to a lot of repeated content. I understand how with some of the conflicts over the years, they would each want to tell their side of the tale. However this rarely leads to anything new on the second telling of the anecdote – take the tale of Stevo’s drunk ex in Aus. Eddie tells us the story pretty amusingly, however when Stevo gets to his side of the story he gives us no further details as to how he knows this woman or how he felt. He isn’t obliged to, of course, but the anecdote isn’t so blindingly funny to warrant it being repeated twice in ten pages with next to no details being added the second time. This happens numerous times throughout the book, and when the book is just a touch over 200 pages long, it gives the impression that ideas for content were pretty light.

Likewise, it’s a tad disappointing that the focus is so much on their earlier career together. Super League – now about to enter its 22nd season – and only the first without Stevo – doesn’t properly get discussed until around two thirds in. Considering that is how a lot of the audience will know the authors and it is by far the competition they have worked on the most, it gives the book a lopsided feel.

I would be lying to say the book didn’t elicit more than a chuckle or two from me – I didn’t learn a huge amount but it was enjoyable whilst it lasted. Much like the commentary of the dynamic duo themselves then. They have certainly earned their place in Rugby League history – this book may not do them the full justice they deserve, but it’s certainly a decent T.R.Y for mine.
2 people found this helpful
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