Cassius Clay before he became Muhammad Ali, pictured in London in 1963.Cassius Clay before he became Muhammad Ali, pictured in London in 1963.
Cassius Clay before he became Muhammad Ali, pictured in London in 1963.

Review of 2020: The best sports books of the year

It was the year sport ground to a halt but Covid-19 couldn’t stop us writing about and celebrating sporting excellence.
By Graham Bean
Published 18th Dec 2020, 07:00 BST
Updated 18th Dec 2020, 08:48 BST

Here are 16 of the best sports books of 2020, from Muhammad Ali to Ken Scotland, via Craig Whyte, David Murray and Fergus McCann.

Football fans may have been denied entry to grounds but stadiums provided a rich source of material in several new volumes celebrating the game.

Simply scroll down and click through the pages to see The Scotsman’s recommendations for the sports books of the year.

Simply scroll down and click through the pages to see The Scotsman’s recommendations for the sports books of the year.

Andy Robertson's story is well told but remarkable nonetheless. Rejected by Celtic for being too small, he joins amateurs Queen's Park and works on the tills at M&S. Seven years later he is key member of the first Liverpool side in three decades to win the English title. This books focuses on that dramatic, delayed season. Robertson, now the captain of Scotland, is an engaging author who is honest and entertaining about the ups and down of Liverpool's annus mirabilis.

5. Robbo: Now You're Gonna Believe Us: Our Year, My Story (Reach)

Andy Robertson's story is well told but remarkable nonetheless. Rejected by Celtic for being too small, he joins amateurs Queen's Park and works on the tills at M&S. Seven years later he is key member of the first Liverpool side in three decades to win the English title. This books focuses on that dramatic, delayed season. Robertson, now the captain of Scotland, is an engaging author who is honest and entertaining about the ups and down of Liverpool's annus mirabilis. Photo: Contributed

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Stephen O'Donnell's story of the shift in power in Scottish football focuses on the role of David Murray at Rangers and Fergus McCann at Celtic and how the latter usurped the former by using smart business sense to drag the Parkhead club from the brink of bankruptcy to the pre-eminent position in Scottish football. Murray's wreckless spending is exposed as Rangers' dominance is swept away in a tide of ignominy, leading eventually to administration and liquidation. McCann was derided by many but emerges as the founder of the modern Celtic.

6. Fergus McCann v David Murray: How Celtic Turned the Tables on Their Glasgow Rivals (Pitch)

Stephen O'Donnell's story of the shift in power in Scottish football focuses on the role of David Murray at Rangers and Fergus McCann at Celtic and how the latter usurped the former by using smart business sense to drag the Parkhead club from the brink of bankruptcy to the pre-eminent position in Scottish football. Murray's wreckless spending is exposed as Rangers' dominance is swept away in a tide of ignominy, leading eventually to administration and liquidation. McCann was derided by many but emerges as the founder of the modern Celtic. Photo: Contributed

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Searingly honest autobiography from Don Masson, the stylish midfielder who helped Scotland win back to back British Championships in 1976 and 1977. The title refers to his penalty miss against Peru during the wretched 1978 World Cup campaign in Argentina under Ally MacLeod. Masson never played for his country again and writes candidly about the impact the spot-kick had on his life.

7. Still Saying Sorry: The Autobiography (Independent Publishing Network)

Searingly honest autobiography from Don Masson, the stylish midfielder who helped Scotland win back to back British Championships in 1976 and 1977. The title refers to his penalty miss against Peru during the wretched 1978 World Cup campaign in Argentina under Ally MacLeod. Masson never played for his country again and writes candidly about the impact the spot-kick had on his life. Photo: Contributed

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From the makers of Nutmeg comes a handsomely produced volume which ventures down Scottish football's roads less travelled. From the Borders to the Outer Hebrides, Snapshot captures a spirit and love for the game across 14 very different chapters. The book is a collaborative effort, bringing together Alan McCredie's stunning photography and Daniel Gray's lovely words, laid out beautifully by Ally Palmer.

8. Snapshot: Scenes and Stories from the Heartlands of Scottish Football (Birlinn)

From the makers of Nutmeg comes a handsomely produced volume which ventures down Scottish football's roads less travelled. From the Borders to the Outer Hebrides, Snapshot captures a spirit and love for the game across 14 very different chapters. The book is a collaborative effort, bringing together Alan McCredie's stunning photography and Daniel Gray's lovely words, laid out beautifully by Ally Palmer. Photo: Contributed

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Related topics:Covid-19Muhammad AliCraig WhyteDavid Murray