The Bish - It's All About Me — The explosive rugby autobiography

Disgrifiad Cymraeg / Welsh Description

Hunangofiant gwefreiddiol Bishop, arwr Pontypool ac un o'r chwaraewyr mwyaf talentog ei genhedlaeth.

Disgrifiad Saesneg / English Description

Rugby star Dai Bishop was one of the most talented players of his generation. Full of contradictions, he rose to fame at Pontypool RFC as a genius on the field, but there was also violence, drug use and crippling depression after retirement. This frank, tell-all autobiography is unputdownable.

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Cynnwys / Table of Contents

Foreword by Craig Bellamy 7 Introduction: Stolen Dreams 9 1 Irish Town 19 2 Rugby for Beginners 33 3 Misspent Youth 39 4 Mother and Baby Doing Fine 52 5 Love at First Fight 58 6 Violence as a Way of Life 68 7 Prisoner A79816 85 8 Joining Pooler 104 9 Lucky to Escape with a Broken Neck 121 10 Cup Glory with Pontypool 146 11 One-Cap Wonder 163 12 The Punch That Ruined My Life 181 13 The Crazy Gang 206 14 The One and Only Pross 222 15 Rugby Heaven with Ringo 236 16 Tough Going Up North 258 17 Stormy Days with Rovers and Great Britain 274 18 Baseball 293 19 Return of the Prodigal Son 302 20 Coping with Charlie 324 21 Walking My Way Back to Fitness and Sanity 341 22 Absent Friends 351 23 In My Opinion… 358 24 It's All About Me 365 Appendix 1: Mamma's Stew 371 Appendix 2: Playing Record for Pontypool 372 Appendix 3: Rugby League Club Appearances 374 Appendix 4: Rugby League Career Summary 377 Appendix 5: Sendings-Off – The Facts 379 Acknowledgements 380

Bywgraffiad yr Awdur / Author Biography

David Bishop came back from a broken neck to become a huge talent for Pontypool RFC in the 1980s, followed by a career in rugby league at Hull KR. Co-author Brendan Gallagher, an award-winning sports journalist, was the 'Pontypool man' for the 'South Wales Argus' and 'South Wales Echo' in Bishop's Rugby Union heyday between 1985 and 1988. A graduate of Hayter's sport agency, he was a sports correspondent, columnist and feature writer at the 'Daily Telegraph' for almost 20 years and has covered 45 sports in over 50 countries, focusing especially on rugby, cycling, athletics, basketball and all things Olympics. He has also written official histories of the Rugby World Cup, the Giro D'Italia and Great Britain's involvement with the Olympics, and is co-author of autobiographies from Brian O’Driscoll and cycling legends Nicole Cooke and Bradley Wiggins.

Adolygiad y Cyhoeddwr / Publisher Review

"Bishop is the best player in the northern hemisphere." - Brian Thomas, Neath and Wales "The best scrum half in Welsh rugby since World War Two." - John Billot, Western Mail "The best one-cap wonder in the history of Rugby Union or Rugby League." - Peter Jackson, Daily Mail "The greatest Welsh scrum half I ever saw at club level and by a distance... better than Gareth Edwards." - BOBBY WINDSOR A rugby genius, yet 'only' a one-cap wonder. A young thug, who received a bravery award while in prison. A misfit, yet a cult hero to some. Jekyll and Hyde in rugby boots. David Bishop saved two people's lives, overcame a broken neck, and inspired Pontypool to new heights. On the flip side was violence, prison and a huge, career-defining WRU ban. His League career didn't play out smoothly, nor did a stint coaching Pooler, and then came drug addiction, divorce, depression and a stroke. Undeterred, he picks his way through a tumultuous life looking for answers, laughing and crying in equal measure. An extraordinary, no-holds-barred account, laced with humour, warmth and a rare candour. A rugby book like no other.