Sporting Greats of 2008

About the Book

This book is a sporting review of 2008. Important sporting events such as Euro 2008 and the Olympic Games are included, though the focus is on the achievements of sportsmen and sportswomen. Fifteen different sports are covered and the authors have selected their 36 sporting personalities of the year.

The book celebrates outstanding achievements such as David Beckham's 100th England Cap as well as empathising with the near misses of sports people who failed to realise their ultimate ambitions in 2008, such as Phillips Idowu's silver medal in the Olympic Games Triple Jump final.

The authors make no claims to exclusivity and emphasise that the selection of sporting personalities is their personal choice. They expect that the reader's selections may differ from their own and may identify omissions. If this is the case the authors will be delighted as the aim of the book is to stimulate people to think and talk about the sporting year.

The book will be of genuine interest to sports fans irrespective of age, whilst the colour illustrations provide a unique and vibrant backdrop to the written commentaries, that children and young sports fans will enjoy. This makes 'Sporting Greats of 2008: An Illustrated review' a sports book that is particularly suitable for families but equally is a sporting review that all sports fans will enjoy. 

About the Author

John Clayton was born in Barton-on-Humber, North Lincolnshire in 1953. He worked for 21 years in the NHS as a Senior Medical Laboratory Scientific Officer, specialising in Microbiology. In 1993 he switched career and moved to  education, where he worked as a College lecturer. He now works as a Principal Lecturer and Programme leader in a University and has written a number of articles and chapters on educational and health care issues that have been published in textbooks and journals.

A life-long sport's fan he played football and cricket at an amateur level and has recently managed junior football and cricket teams.

Ross Clayton was born in Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire in 1987. He recently graduated from university gaining his honours degree in illustration. This is his first publication for which he has worked as co-author. Ross has produced the illustrations for this publication.

A sports fanatic, Ross is an avid supporter of many sports and currently plays amateur football.