Life has never been easy for Kash the Flash Gill. Born in Birmingham’s inner city area of Handsworth Kash became the first successful UK Asian World Champion in a contact sport. Today he remains the unbeaten four times World Kickboxing Champion. Standing tall at 6ft 3 he has an impressive line-up of British, European and World titles under his belt. Kash’s father, a former wrestler, worked 18 hour days in a factory to support the family. Athletic from an early age, Kash discovered kickboxing at the age of 14, fell in love with the sport and the rest is history!
With a Foreword by Tom Ross Head of Sport at BRMB, Kash’s biography has international readership appeal. Our wide range of 55 contributors include close family members and friends; international musicians-entrepreneur Apache Indian and UB40’s legendary saxophonist Brian Travers. Media personnel Tommy Nagra, Phil Upton and Peter Wilson join football icons Kenny Cunningham and Cyrille Regis to recall the highs and lows of Kash’s career. Also, boxing and martial arts experts such as Joe Egan, Frankie Gavin, Howard Brown, Master A, Master Toddy, Tim Izli and Alex Tui.
Kash’s speed, athleticism and flashy showmanship earned him the nickname ’The Flash’ inside the ring, but outside of the ring he is a charismatic ambassador for the sport - a positive role model for the champions he trains and the students he inspires.
ISBN 978-1-85858-499-7 . 240mm x 170mm Paperback . Fully Illustrated . £14.95 (free post and packing)
Also available from The Kindle Store, Apple iBooks Store and Kobo.
For the first time, wrestler turned film and television actor Pat Roach tells his unique life story, to his co-writer Shirley Thompson. The book traces Pat’s life, from poverty stricken childhood to famous celebrity, it reveals the man behind the image, and covers his considerable achievements in the fields of sport, film and television.
Nominated, on publication, for the James Tait Black Memorial Prize.
ISBN 1 85858 209 1 . 240mm x 170mm Paperback . Fully Illustrated . £10 (free post and packing)
Readers are taken on a rollercoaster of a journey, from the shady world of ‘duckers and divers’ and illegal drinking clubs, to the dizzy heights of Pat’s success, in the international world of sport, films and television. A penultimate chapter describes hilarious trips abroad.
Recommended by ’The Bookseller’. For collectors copies please contact Shirley.
ISBN 1 85858 252 0 . Crown Quarto Paperback . Fully Illustrated . £10 (free post and packing)
This inspirational book is Pat’s final goodbye to the world, before his tragic death from cancer in July 2004. It also contains over seventy tributes, from close family and friends, including a host of celebrities. Kevin Whately, Chris Fairbank, Julia Tobin, Noel Clarke, Jimmy Nail and Timothy Spall all feature prominently; Tim Healy has written an entire chapter for it.
There’s a very special Foreword by scriptwriters Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais; Aufpet producers Joy Spink and Chrissy Skinns describe the difficulties of filming Aufpets 3 and 4, whilst Pat was coping with cancer. Wayne and Sarah Bridges, Mick McManus, Seamus Dunleavy, Pete Roberts and Killer Kowalski are just a few of the many sports celebrities who recall life with Pat. Three galleries of very special photographs are the crowning glory to this unique biography.
ISBN 1 85858 292 X . 240mm x 170mm Paperback . Fully Illustrated . £10 (free post and packing)
Seamus’ fascinating life story stands in two worlds: the older Charlestown County Mayo world, of donkeys and fleas, teachers and characters, banshees and fairy forts, contrasting with the modern, more tangible world of wrestling, nightclubs, pubs and hotels and property development. With all the skills of the traditional Irish storyteller, Seamus relives his childhood and relates how, after he emigrated to England at seventeen, he and his brother, Mickey, became famous wrestlers.
Now a highly successful businessman, Seamus has built a permanent life for himself and his family in England, but keeps in touch with his Irish roots, via frequent return trips to Ireland. With a Foreword by Professor Carl Chinn, M.B.E. this is a story not to be missed!
ISBN 978-1-85858-284-9 . 240mm x 170mm Paperback . Fully Illustrated . £10 (free post and packing)
Birmingham would definitely not be the place that it is today, without Eddie Fewtrell. Born one of ten children in the 1930s, in the backstreets of Aston, much of Eddie’s childhood was spent keeping house and caring for his younger brothers. An alcoholic father and an invalid mother prevented him from attending school and leading a normal life – a scenario a million light years away from the vast nightclub empire that he was destined to build. By the 1970s he had become the most powerful man in Birmingham’s Clubland. With the support of his large family, in particular his seven brothers, he went on to achieve even greater success.
Eddie’s first club, the Bermuda Club, was in Navigation Street, Eddie moved to pastures new, in the form of the Cedar Club, on Constitution Hill. Over the next few years Eddie opened Rebecca’s, Abigail’s, Boogie’s nightclub, Boogie’s Brasserie, Edward’s No.7, Edward’s No.8, the Paramount pub and Goldwyn’s. Barbarella’s became the top showcase for many up and coming UK pop groups. In 1989, he sold his clubs to Ansells but he returned three years later to open a new wave of clubs. Professional success came at a high price; Eddie reveals how his millionaire lifestyle and the pursuit of wealth led to tragic consequences.
ISBN 978-1-85858-406-5 . 240mm x 170mm Paperback . Fully Illustrated . 106 pages . £10 (free post and packing)
Birmingham born Alton Douglas is a man of many talents. This entertaining biography compiled with the help of well known writer Shirley Thompson traces Alton’s multi-faceted career. National Service in the 5th Royal Inniskilling Dragoon Guards was followed by music groups, stand up comedian work in theatres and clubs nationwide and eventually television appearances and radio shows.
With a total of 38 books to his credit and sales approaching half a million copies he is today the Midlands best selling local author.
ISBN 1 85858 230 X . 240mm x 170mm Paperback . Fully Illustrated . £10 (free post and packing)
Writer Shirley Thompson has described life in a working class family through the 1930’s to the 1960’s through the eyes of Ellen, the family’s mother. The story begins in Birmingham in 1913 and concludes in 1999.
ISBN 1 85858 141 9 . A5 Paperback . Fully illustrated . £5.95 (free post and packing)