behind the scenes with sport’s hidden stars
Unsung offers an illuminating insight behind the scenes of professional sport, looking beyond the headlines and behind the athletes to introduce and celebrate sport’s unheralded heroes.
A sporting anthology of the unheard, the unsaid, and the unusual, Unsung shines a rare spotlight on the integral men and women in the shadows, interwoven in the fabric of sport.
Find out how F1 mechanics fine-tune the finest margin in sport. Meet the trigger-happy athletics starters who can break as many dreams as they make. Hear from the cycling moto pilots whose job it is to keep up, but keep out of the way. And learn how snowmaking scientists go to war with Mother Nature at every Winter Olympics.
While its biggest stars and household names enjoy the glory, tucked away amidst sport’s small print and voiceless under its fanfare is a band of unsung heroes rarely acknowledged, let alone championed. These are their stories, told over 12 standalone chapters.
Published by Pitch Publishing Unsung introduces the sports stars you don’t know, telling the stories you can’t miss.
Not all heroes wear kits
-
Beyond the headlines
Unsung introduces and celebrates sport’s unheralded heroes. Over 40 tireless facilitators and hidden organisers reveal the indispensable roles overlooked by fans and media.
-
Sports stars you don't know
Never-before-told tales from F1 mechanics, Olympic snowmakers, athletics starters, football chaplains, rugby medics, anti-doping officials, and cycling moto pilots.
-
Stories you can't miss
Meet the starter who disqualified Usain Bolt, the interpreter who wowed Pep Guardiola, the moto pilot who stood up to Mark Cavendish, and the doctor who saved Thom Evans’ life.
What People Are Saying
“Very interesting look at some of the behind-the-scenes roles that allow elite sport to take place. Captures the enthusiasm, passion and professionalism of some very fascinating people.
From kit designers to athletics starters and makers of artificial snow, each chapter is fascinating by itself. Together they show just how much dedication and sacrifice is often required by those outside the limelight to allow great sporting moments to happen.
Unsung is a really well-written and enjoyable book. Highly recommend it.”
— Sports Book Reviews
“If you like sport you’ll enjoy Unsung, a behind-the-scenes look at sport's hidden stars.
Revealing and fascinating insight into Mechanics, Medics to Starters and Snowmakers.
Entertainingly written by Alexis James.”
— Ken Brown, BBC Golf Broadcaster
“Unsung does a wonderful job at taking you behind the curtain to vital areas of sport you just don’t usually get to see – or even think about. It’s full of tales about individuals whose dedication to their chosen disciplines is just as great as the biggest star names. Their stories are just as compelling, too.
Reading this book adds an extra layer to watching sport. You won’t think about the start of an athletics race, or settle down to watch a top level football match on a pristine pitch, in the same way again.”
— Euan Crumley, Athletics Weekly
“There are always stories behind the stories, if you look hard enough, and Alexis James is a man who has went in deep. In his new book he features the likes of Newcastle Falcons doctor Rachel Scurfield, athletics starter Alan Bell (aka The Man Who Disqualified Usain Bolt), and World Cup-winning kit designer Craig Buglass.
That trio all have local connections, but James has reached far and wide to discover personalities in Australia, USA, Finland, and Italy - all of whom have a tale to tell about life on the sporting fringes.”
— The crack Magazine
Book excerpt
read the introduction to UnsunG
the author
Alexis James writes about untold stories and unsung personalities from the fringes of sport.
His work has featured in a range of print and digital publications, including BBC Sport, Reader’s Digest, Athletics Weekly, and Nutmeg Magazine. Check out his most recent work here.
He lives in Northumberland with his wife and their two daughters. Unsung is his first book.
