Last night, The Final Whistle by Stephen Cooper was crowned Rugby Book of the Year at the 2013 British Sports Book Awards. Today, he shares how it felt to win...
Prize-day at school was never like this: no Terry Venables, Clare Balding or Darren Clarke in a room at Lord’s for a start. But the pre-match nerves building for weeks ahead of the 2013 British Sports Book Awards hatched into fully-fledged butterflies when my neighbour on Table 21, Adharanand Finn, won the first award for his ‘Running with the Kenyans’. Surely the hosts might seek an easier life with a simple name like Stephen Cooper?
The Rugby Book of the Year was announced just before half –time – a relief not to sit in the dressing room fretting about the second half. As the chairman spoke in praise of the shortlisted books, it dawned on me that mine had been left till last. Why? And, suddenly, there I am, receiving the engraved trophy from former England Rugby captain Lewis Moody and stammering a few unprepared words.
Then I’m whisked away to Sky TV’s camera interview, still failing to say something clever in the spotlight. Photographs follow: Lewis is charming, but annoyingly looks two inches taller than me, despite us officially being the same height.
A triumphant return to Lucky Table 21. The tweets come flooding in. How could they know? Too late now the witty banter I wished I’d had on the stage. But the book will do my speaking for me, and if my words help bring alive those fifteen men who died 100 years ago, then it’s been worthwhile.
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Paul Baillie-Lane is an editor at The History Press who attended the ceremony with Stephen last night.
The British Sports Books Awards was my first gig as an ambassador of The History Press at an award ceremony, and it would certainly be a memorable one. Flicking through the rugby nominations in the event magazine upon arrival, I found myself thinking that Stephen’s book was by far the best one on the shortlist, but that the power of monstrous marketing budgets and the pull of celebrity status would surely win through, no? Titles from noted sports personalities Steve Rider, Clare Balding and Darren Clarke, among myriad others, were backed by publishing giants and their substantial media clout, so an honourable mention for The Final Whistle and a tasty meal would represent a successful night. Stephen agreed.
Table 21 turned out to be a lucky omen as Adharanand Finn collected an award for Running with the Kenyans. Could lightning strike twice? As England international rugby player Lewis Moody mentioned each nominee, explaining the merit of each book but that, ultimately, they were not to be this year’s winner, it dawned on both of us that The Final Whistle had yet to be mentioned – not until it was uttered after the words ‘and the winner is …’
I could tell Stephen was thoroughly shocked, in the nicest possible way, and that he probably hadn’t prepared an acceptance speech of any great length. He picked up his award with a glowing smile and explained the process of how the book came about. He bowed out by saying that it was all about the fifteen players who never heard the final whistle – a fine sentiment.
Whisked off for Sky Sports interviews, photographs and handshakes, Stephen basked in the spotlight as I proceeded to hassle the event organiser to get hold of the photographs being taken. My smile was equally as wide.
I left the prestigious event with a 100 per cent win ratio and an immense pride at what Stephen Cooper and The History Press had achieved in the face of the stiffest competition. Now to win the Sports Book of the Year – game on!