UNSEEN SIR ALF: FIRST PRINT RUN SOLD OUT

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13 Sep

UNSEEN SIR ALF: FIRST PRINT RUN SOLD OUT

It’s been a memorable start for The Unseen Sir Alf: A Different Kind of Hero, the bold new biography of England’s World Cup-winning manager by Grant Bage.

Since launching on 1 September, the book has been picked up across national and local media — including a three-day run in The Mirror, a major article in The Times written by Grant himself, and interviews on BBC Radio Suffolk and TalkSPORT.

The early response has been so strong that the first print run sold out within days of release. While new stock is on the way, the book’s themes - class, patriotism, identity - seem to be landing with readers and reviewers alike. Order now to secure your copy from the second batch; available soon!

On TalkSPORT’s Extra Time programme, Paul Ross called it:

“A brilliant new biography, and a revelation. The Unseen Sir Alf is our TalkSPORT Book of the Week and one of the best sports books I’ve read this year. A must-read.”

Among the first to cover the book was The Daily Mirror chief reporter Andy Lines, who said:

“This really is a masterpiece… History will treat Ramsey differently now.”

Saturday’s author event at Valence House - not far from Alf Ramsey’s childhood home in Dagenham - also saw a strong local turnout. It capped off a launch week in which early interest in the book has been high, both in media coverage and reader response.

Grant described the book’s first week as “A bit of a whirlwind to be honest – local and media interest has been tremendous. It has been fantastic chatting to people who have read the book very carefully, like journalists Andy Lines from the Daily Mirror, and Paul Ross from TalkSPORT – but I’ve also had lovely feedback from readers I have not yet met. Some of them have even sent me new stories about Alf!’

Ipswich Town Football Club have also played a quiet but important part behind the scenes, with a short feature set to appear in the matchday programme later this month. Their support has meant a great deal to Grant, both because of Alf’s long-standing connection with the club and some sensitive storylines the book explores.

“The research I did for my book shines a very positive light on Ipswich as a club – and makes Alf Ramsey an even greater local and national hero than he was before” commented Grant.

More coverage is expected in the weeks ahead. For media enquiries or interview requests, contact Chris Eldergill at chris.eldergill@pitchpublishing.co.uk