Michael HardcastleMBE (6 February 1933 – 17 January 2019) was a British author of sports fiction for children. He has written more than one hundred and forty books on a range of sporting subjects but is probably best known for his books about association football. In 1988 he was appointed an MBE in recognition of his services to children's literature.[1] He died in January 2019 at the age of 85.[2]
Hardcastle was born in Huddersfield and was educated at the nearby King James's Grammar School, Almondbury. Due to ill health he was unable to take part in much sporting activity and instead spent time in the school library where he developed a passion for English literature particularly the works of Charles Dickens and W.E. Johns. He later became editor of the school newspaper The Almondburian. When he left school he joined the Royal Army Educational Corps and served for five years, travelling to Kenya and Mauritius. In 1956 he joined the Huddersfield Examiner as a reporter. Later he worked for the Bristol Evening Post as a diarist and literary editor, and then for the Liverpool Daily Post as chief feature writer in 1965.[3][4]
Writingedit
It was while working Liverpool Daily Post that he published his first book Soccer Is Also a Game later published as Soccer Comes First in 1966 to coincide with the World Cup in England.[3] This book, along with others written early in his career deal with Professional Football notably the fortunes of the fictitious Scorton Rovers and their star player Andy Blair. Others, including the Mark Fox series written in the 1970s and 1980s, focus on amateur football and tell of the trials and tribulations of youth football teams. Hardcastle has also written about many other sports including Showjumping, Cricket and Speedway.
michael, hardcastle, february, 1933, january, 2019, british, author, sports, fiction, children, written, more, than, hundred, forty, books, range, sporting, subjects, probably, best, known, books, about, association, football, 1988, appointed, recognition, ser. Michael Hardcastle MBE 6 February 1933 17 January 2019 was a British author of sports fiction for children He has written more than one hundred and forty books on a range of sporting subjects but is probably best known for his books about association football In 1988 he was appointed an MBE in recognition of his services to children s literature 1 He died in January 2019 at the age of 85 2 Michael HardcastleBorn 1933 02 06 6 February 1933Huddersfield Yorkshire United KingdomDied17 January 2019 2019 01 17 aged 85 OccupationNovelist Journalist Literary EditorNationalityBritishSubjectChildren s LiteratureNotable awardsMBE for services to Children s Literature 1988 Contents 1 Education and early career 2 Writing 3 Selected bibliography 4 ReferencesEducation and early career editHardcastle was born in Huddersfield and was educated at the nearby King James s Grammar School Almondbury Due to ill health he was unable to take part in much sporting activity and instead spent time in the school library where he developed a passion for English literature particularly the works of Charles Dickens and W E Johns He later became editor of the school newspaper The Almondburian When he left school he joined the Royal Army Educational Corps and served for five years travelling to Kenya and Mauritius In 1956 he joined the Huddersfield Examiner as a reporter Later he worked for the Bristol Evening Post as a diarist and literary editor and then for the Liverpool Daily Post as chief feature writer in 1965 3 4 Writing editIt was while working Liverpool Daily Post that he published his first book Soccer Is Also a Game later published as Soccer Comes First in 1966 to coincide with the World Cup in England 3 This book along with others written early in his career deal with Professional Football notably the fortunes of the fictitious Scorton Rovers and their star player Andy Blair Others including the Mark Fox series written in the 1970s and 1980s focus on amateur football and tell of the trials and tribulations of youth football teams Hardcastle has also written about many other sports including Showjumping Cricket and Speedway Selected bibliography editSoccer Is Also a Game also published as Soccer Comes First 1966 Shoot on Sight 1967 Goal 1969 Reds and Blues 1970 Don t Tell Me What to Do 1970 In the Net 1971 Playing Ball 1972 Goals in the Air 1972 Island Magic 1973 United 1973 Away from Home 1974 Free Kick 1974 The Demon Bowler 1974 The Big One 1974 On the Run 1974 Heading for Goal 1974 Flare Up 1975 Get Lost 1975 Mark Fox series 1976 82 The Saturday Horse 1977 First Contact series 1977 Crash Car 1977 Soccer Special 1978 Racing Bike 1980 Behind the Goal 1980 Half a Team 1980 The Gigantic Hit 1982 Winning Rider 1985 One Kick 1986 Snookered 1987 Mascot 1987 Kickback 1989 Joanna s Goal 1990 Lucky Break 1990 The Away Team 1992 Own Goal 1992 Carole s Camel 1995 Puzzle 1995 The Fastest Bowler in the World 1996 The Price of Football 1998 Soccer Star 2003 5 References edit Faber and Faber website http www faber co uk author michael hardcastle Michael Hardcastle death notice a b The Old Almondburians Society Michael Hardcastle MBE 3 May 2007 http www oas org uk Michael 20Hardcastle 20audio 20page php Ponymad book lovers website http michaelhardcastle ponymadbooklovers co uk Happy 75th Michael Hardcastle nbsp Children s literature portal Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Michael Hardcastle amp oldid 1196055695, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
