Tony Matthews

A history of Aston Villa Football Club.

In July 1938 the United States, Great Britain and thirty other countries participated in a vital conference at vian-les-Bains, France, to discuss the persecution and possible emigration of the European Jews, specifically those caught under the anvil of Nazi atrocities. However, most of those nations rejected the pleas then being made by the Jewish communities, thus condemning them to the Holocaust. There is no doubt that the vian conference was a critical turning point in world history. The disastrous outcome of the conference set the stage for the murder of six million people. Today we live in a world defined by turmoil with a disturbing rise of authoritarian governments and ultra right-wing nationalism. The plight of refugees is once more powerfully affecting public attitudes towards those most in need. Now, on the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz and the end of the Second World War, it's time to reflect on the past to ensure we never again make the same mistakes. Tragedy at vian also shines a spotlight on some of the astonishing and courageous stories of heroic efforts of individuals and private organisations who, despite the decisions made at vian, worked under extremely dangerous conditions, frequently giving their own lives to assist in the rescue of the Jewish people.

From the heart-rending account of the sinking of the German liner Wilhelm Gustloff in 1945 the worst maritime disaster in world history through to a variety of other brutal actions carried out by numerous submarine commanders, including the sinking of the hospital ship Centaur in 1943, this book comes from the deep shadows of a tragic past to reveal the terrible truth of a secretive war that was responsible for the deaths of unimaginable numbers of innocent people. Discover how merchant seamen were savagely machine-gunned in the water, callously slaughtered with hand-grenades or simply left to the circling sharks. Elsewhere, hundreds of doctors, nurses, ship's crew, ambulance drivers and hospital orderlies were viciously killed without compassion, despite being protected by the Geneva Convention. Sea Wolves: Savage Submarine Commander of WW2 features true stories of deeply murderous intent that lurked menacingly beneath the waves.

In July 1938 the United States, Great Britain and thirty other countries participated in a vital conference at Evian-les-Bains, France, to discuss the persecution and possible emigration of the European Jews, specifically those caught under the anvil of Nazi atrocities. However, most of those nations rejected the pleas then being made by the Jewish communities, thus condemning them to the Holocaust. There is no doubt that the Evian conference was a critical turning point in world history. The disastrous outcome of the conference set the stage for the murder of six million people. Today we live in a world defined by turmoil with a disturbing rise of authoritarian governments and ultra right-wing nationalism. The plight of refugees is once more powerfully affecting public attitudes towards those most in need. Now, on the 76th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz and the end of the Second World War, it's time to reflect on the past to ensure we never again make the same mistakes. Tragedy at Evian also shines a spotlight on some of the astonishing and courageous stories of heroic efforts of individuals and private organisations who, despite the decisions made at Evian, worked under extremely dangerous conditions, frequently giving their own lives to assist in the rescue of the Jewish people.

What could induce a young pilot to walk out onto the wing of his burning aircraft at 13,000 feet? Why would a plucky young woman descend into the bowels of a sinking ship knowing that she would almost certainly die there? Why did a family remain on their farm, tending crops while suffering four long years of deadly artillery shelling? How did a former fishing trawler sink one of Hitler's deadliest U-boats, and who were the two Australian nurses who protected wounded patients with their own bodies while experiencing a savage machine-gun attack? Why did a young naval apprentice keep rowing when his hands had been so badly burned, they were literally glued to his oar? And who were the two selfless 'Dad's Army' soldiers who miraculously saved the lives of hundreds of their comrades even when it meant sacrificing their own? These and many other fascinating questions are answered in one of the most remarkable books of gallantry, fortitude and selfsacrifice you will ever read. Quiet Courage: Forgotten Heroes of World War Two is a book about thoughtful, intelligent actions and above all, an enviable capacity for bravery.

In July 1938 the United States, Great Britain and thirty other countries participated in a vital conference at 0/00vian-les-Bains, France, to discuss the persecution and possible emigration of the European Jews, specifically those caught under the anvil of Nazi atrocities. However, most of those nations rejected the pleas then being made by the Jewish communities, thus condemning them to the Holocaust. There is no doubt that the 0/00vian conference was a critical turning point in world history. The disastrous outcome of the conference set the stage for the murder of six million people. Today we live in a world defined by turmoil with a disturbing rise of authoritarian governments and ultra right-wing nationalism. The plight of refugees is once more powerfully affecting public attitudes towards those most in need. Now, on the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz and the end of the Second World War, it's time to reflect on the past to ensure we never again make the same mistakes. Tragedy at 0/00vian also shines a spotlight on some of the astonishing and courageous stories of heroic efforts of individuals and private organisations who, despite the decisions made at 0/00vian, worked under extremely dangerous conditions, frequently giving their own lives to assist in the rescue of the Jewish people.

Alan Shearer OBE (born 13 August 1970) is an English footballer whose prowess saw him score a hat-trick in his professional debut in 1988 while playing for Southhampton. Leaving Southhampton in 1992, Shearer went on to play as a striker for Blackburn Rovers and Newcastle United, where he stayed until the end of his career in 2006. Widely regarded as one of the world’s best strikers, his goalscoring talent saw him bcome both Newcastle’s and the Premier League’s top goalscorer in the 1995/96 season. During his career as a player, he captained England in 1996 and Newcastle from 1999 and scored a massive 283 league goals, of which 260 were in the Premier League, and a recored eleven Premier League hat-tricks. Named Football Writers’ Association Player of the Year in 1994 and the PFA Player of the Year in 1995, Shearer is one of the greatest footballers England has produced. In Alan Shearer: Fifty Defining Fixtures, Tony Mathews oulines why Alan Shearer deserves to be recognised as a legend of the beautiful game.

Ryan Joseph Giggs OBE (born 29 November 1973) is a former Welsh football player who played most notably for Manchester United and the Welsh national team. He debuted at Manchester United in 1991 and played predominantly as a left-winger but in his later years as a central midfielder. He also captained the Great Britain team in the 2012 London Olympics. He is the most decorated player in football history with among other honours thirteen Premier League winner’s medals, four FA Cup winner’s medals and two Champions League winner’s medals. He retired from football in 2014 with 931 games at United under his belt and 64 caps for Wales. He is currently assistant manager at Manchester United and co-owner of Salford City. Delving into Giggs’ most notable fixtures, Tony Matthews outlines what games defined Ryan Giggs’ career and what made him one of the most recognised players of his generation.

AFC Bournemouth Miscellany collects together all the vital information you never knew you needed to know about the Cherries. In these pages you will find irresistible anecdotes and the most mindblowing stats and facts. Heard the one about the 42-year-old former manager who was coaxed out of retirement to play on the left wing? How about James Hayter's fastest ever hat-trick in Football League history? Or the time 60,000 supporters lined the seafront to congratulate the champions on their Premier League promotion? Do you know which Cherries goalie stood 6ft 9in tall? Why 60s inside-forward Alan Hope suddenly became Alan O'Neill? Or which Cherries star was the first to top the scoring charts in three different divisions? All these stories and hundreds more appear in a brilliantly researched collection of trivia - essential for any Bournemouth fan who holds the riches of the club's history close to their heart.

Steven George Gerrard MBE (born 30 May 1980) is an English footballer who plays for and captains Premier League club Liverpool. He has played much of his career in a centre midfield role, but also as a second striker, holding midfielder, right-back and right-winger. Gerrard, who has spent his entire career at Anfield, made his debut in 1998 and cemented his place in the first team in 2000, succeeding Sami Hyypiä as team captain in 2003. His honours include two FA Cups, three League Cups, two Community Shields, one Champions League, one UEFA Cup, and two Super Cups. On 21 July 2014, Gerrard announced his retirement from international football. With 114 caps for England he is the third most capped player ever, after Peter Shilton (125) and David Beckham (115). Tracing Gerrard’s most notable fixtures, Tony Matthews outlines why Steven Gerrard deserves to be recognised as a legend of the game.

Fifty matches that shaped the career of one of football’s greatest managers... JOSÉ MOURINHO is regarded by some to be the world’s best manager and one of the greatest of all time. Starting out as a player in the Portuguese Second Division, he later impressed with successful managerial periods at Benfica and Uniao de Leiria. As head coach to Porto, he won the Primeira Liga, Taca de Portugal and UEFA Cup in 2003. Moving to Chelsea the following year, they won the Premier League title with a record 95 points and the League Cup in his first season. In 2013, after several years with Serie A club Internazionale, Mourinho returned to Chelsea, taking the club to third in the Premier League in season 2013/14.

Huddersfield Town Miscellany collects together all the vital information you never knew you needed to know about the Terriers. In these pages you will find irresistible anecdotes and the most mindblowing stats and facts. Heard the one about the striker who scored 223 goals in 268 appearances for the club? How about the centre-forward who netted 289 goals in just 40 games before joining Town? Do you know what has been the longest journey (by road) any Huddersfield Town team has had to make to play a Football League fixture? When Town were unbeaten at home in the FA Cup for 19 years? Or which Town player had a record 32 letters in his name? All these stories and hundreds more appear in a brilliantly researched collection of trivia - essential for any fan who holds the riches of blue-and-white history close to their heart.

The Middlesbrough FC Miscellany is packed with all the facts, stats, trivia, stories and legends that make up the heart of the club. This is the ultimate book of footballing trivia on a club with a rich, proud and incredible history. Written by sports master Tony Matthews, this is a book no self-respecting Boro fan should be without.

In 1946, England rejoined FIFA and Stanley Rous, secretary of the Football Association, persuaded the FA to appoint Walter Winterbottom as the FA's first Director of Coaching, and the first England team manager. Over the next four years, before the 1950 World Cup in Brazil, Winterbottom assembled the first squad to compete for the Jules Rimet Trophy. The England national football team is now one of the oldest in the world. They have competed in the FIFA World Cup thirteen times since 1950, won the cup once in 1966, and reached the semi-finals in 1990. Football historian and statistician Tony Matthews explores each of England's World Cup appearances, from Brazil 1950 to Brazil 2014, giving detailed match reports and stats along with a historical narrative to set each tournament in its context. This is essential reading for any fan of the beautiful game.

Manchester City is one of the foremost clubs in English football. In Manchester City: Player by Player, Tony Matthews presents the multitudinous, authentic personal details of every player who has appeared and scored for the club (Ardwick/Manchester City) at senior level over the past 125 years. The appearances and goalscoring records for each player cover the Premiership (from 1992), Football League Divisions One and Two (from 1892), the FA Cup including all qualifying rounds (from 1889), the Football League Cup (various guises, 1960 - 2013), European Cup/Champions League, Inter Cities Fairs Cup/European Fairs Cup, UEFA Cup, European Cup Winner's Cup, FA Charity/Community Shield, Anglo-Scottish Cup, Tennent-Caledonian Cup, Anglo-Italian Cup, Texaco Cup and Full Members' Cup. Records appertaining to wartime football have also been included.

West Bromwich Albion FC was one of the founding members of the Football League. They have spent a majority of the last 125 years in the top flight of English football and, aided by some fantastic players, they have produced many record-breaking achievements and stunning performances. In West Bromwich Albion: The Top 100 Matches, historian and statistician Tony Matthews lists 100 mini match reports of the best and most thrilling games played by the Baggies, from 1888 to the present day. Everything from high-scoring games to record player performances is included in this must-have book for any WBA fan, which is liberally illustrated in full colour. These bite-sized match reports give the high points of West Brom's long and illustrious history.

This title will be an important addition to the bookshelves of anyone with an interest in this proud club and is sure to appeal to Stoke supporters of all ages. In the history of Stoke City, there has probably never been a better time to celebrate. Not only have they finished second in the Championship, but they have also reached the premiership for the first time. For those who wish to revel in the glory of the club, Tony Matthews has penned a fitting tribute to 100 of Stoke City's most outstanding performers. After great deliberation and consultation with fans of the club, Tony has selected 100 players, which include favourites from recent times alongside the stars of a bygone era. Anyone who has read any of the author's previous titles will be familiar with his expert knowledge of West Midlands football, and "The Legends of Stoke City" is no exception to his impressive back-catalogue. Meticulously researched and illustrated throughout with high- quality photographs, this great new title is essential reading for all true Stoke City fans.

"Wolverhampton Wanderers: The Complete Record" provides the most comprehensive history of one of the country's most famous and respected football clubs. Acclaimed football historian Tony Matthews, a specialist in West Midlands football, has carefully researched all aspects of the club's fascinating history to write this, the full story of Wolverhampton Wanderers. Alongside profiles of the club's great players and managers, fans can relive the games that secured trophies and take an imaginative tour of the club's grounds. In addition to accounts of League and Cup encounters are reports of friendly and tour matches. This compendium of fascinating information is a must-buy for all Wolves devotees. Every game, every scorer, every player and every attendance, this is the Complete Record.

"The Who's Who of West Bromwich Albion" looks at the varied experiences of the Baggies through the club's lifeblood - the players. Here are details of the careers of all the players, including the number of appearances they made, the number of goals they scored, the position they played in and their transfer records. This comprehensive volume is a valuable addition to the bookshelves of all West Brom fans. This comprehensive book consists of detailed biographies of every player ever to take part in a first-team game for the Baggies since the club entered the FA Cup in November 1883. Author Tony Matthews has meticulously researched the history of West Brom to uncover such details as when a player joined the club and where from, how many appearances he made, which positions he played in, how many goals he scored and where he went to when he left the Hawthorns. International and FA Cup performances are also recorded. Other staff of the club are not forgotten, and within these pages are biographies of all the managers, chairmen, directors, secretaries, trainers and coaches that have worked behind the scenes to shape the history of this proud club. The book is illustrated throughout with a fine collection of pictures, many of them from the club's own archives. The result is a book that is a must-have for every Baggies fan that is sure to find its way onto the bookshelves of supporters young and old.