New Book for 2018

I'm pleased to announce that I am currently working on a new book, which will be released next year. It's another on Swansea City, and is my most ambitious to date. Stay tuned for more details!

Forza Swansea - End of an Era

Here's a very, very brief post to confirm that I am no longer in charge of ForzaSwansea.com.

After six very enjoyable years, I made the decision to pass control to a new party in November 2016, after being unable to commit to updating the blog regularly. This is down to other writing projects and clients that I have to dedicate more time to. And I'd rather see the blog carry on into the future than to just die - no blog should go through that!

Thanks to everyone who has read the blog over the past six years, it was great fun to work on and wining the Best Sports Blog in Wales at the Wales Blog Awards 2012 was just fantastic. I recommend you still visit Forza Swansea, as they have some fresh new writers charting the goings on at Swansea City.

Keep checking back here for more on what I am up to!

Cheers, Chris

New Book!

It's been a while since I last updated my website, but fear not - I am still writing!

In fact my new book, the Swansea City Miscellany, is being released this week. Endorsed by the club, with a foreword from Huw Jenkins, the miscellany is an encyclopaedia of Swans history, stats and trivia.

There's a little more about the book here, but I highly suggest you pick up a copy from your local bookshop. It's only £9.99 and, for the amount of entertainment you'll get, I guarantee it's worth every penny!

I will be signing copies of the book on Saturday, 19 September at the Liberty Stadium club shop, from 1pm.

If you miss the signing, check my author page on Amazon for news on other events. See you soon!

Chris on BBC Radio Wales

I was invited to speak about Swansea City on BBC Radio Wales Sport earlier this week, which was broadcast live from the freezing cold dugouts of the Liberty Stadium.

You can check out the full show, featuring Lee Trundle, Abigail Davies and myself (I feature throughout the second hour) by heading to the BBC iPlayer.

Casual signing

Just a quick note to inform people that I'll be signing copies of Swansea City's Greatest Games in Waterstones, Swansea on Tuesday, 9th December.

It's just me and a pen - nothing fancy - so come along, buy a book and have it signed!

Swansea City's Greatest Games - Launch photos!

On Friday, October 3rd my first book, Swansea City's Greatest Games, was successfully launched in Waterstones, Swansea.

(Picture: South Wales Evening Post)

After some fantastic anecdotes and a wonderful introduction from Swansea City club chaplain Kevin Johns, I took to the stage to read the book's first chapter before talking about the research and writing process, before heading downstairs to sign copies for people.

The night was absolutely brilliant and I thank Kevin Johns, Waterstones and everyone who turned up for making it such a success.

Here are a few photos from the event, taken by various people to hopefully give you a taste of what it was like.

Remember, you can buy your copy from Amazon (or the Kindle version for half-price) or Waterstones (in store and online). If you are currently reading it, please let me know how you are enjoying it. Cheers!

The legendary Kev Johns introducing me (Picture: Becci Thomas)

Me giving my speech (and not messing up too much...) (Picture: South Wales Evening Post)

  The crowd gather for the signing (Picture: Becci Thomas)

Another of the crowd as my hand began cramping up... (Picture: Becci Thomas)

It seems I wanted something over there... (Picture: Becci Thomas)

(Picture: Becci Thomas)

Swansea City's Greatest Games - Update

Hello there. I don't update this blog that often (in fact this is only the second time since I created this site last month...), but I thought I'd write a little update about the project that's been taking up most of my time recently.

After it was commissioned, I started writing my first book, Swansea City's Greatest Games (Pitch Publishing), in February 2014 and have put most of my waking hours into completing it before my deadline of June 30th.

I'm currently on Chapter 47, leaving me four chapters away from the total of 50 and - providing there are no major catastrophes - I should have it all wrapped up with a week to spare (which will be spent editing as much as I can!)

It's been a brilliant experience. Over the past decade I've had my fair share of rejection letters saying 'thanks but no thanks' to various other writing projects I've tried to get off the ground (probably about 100 or so in a folder gathering dust on my top shelf), so to have one idea finally commissioned is a great feeling.

There have been tough times both personally and professionally, but in all the whole writing experience has been brilliant. Much of my research has been carried out in the newspaper archives of Swansea Central Library, although I've also enjoyed speaking to fans, watching videos and using an array of books, magazines, programmes and websites to support the old reports.

Ultimately the final book should make for a great read, whether you are a die-hard Swansea City supporter, a casual fan or just a fan of football in general.

No-one is likely to see the book until it's on the shelves in September this year, but it should be worth the wait.

If you are a fan of my blogs (Forza Swansea and Swansea On A Plate) you may have noticed that I've neglected these a little, but this is only due to the amount of time I've had to dedicate to this book. I've kept them ticking over and will pay them more attention from July this year!

I have another two books coming up after this one - one is sport, one is not... but more on those next time!

Thanks for reading!