Pocket Money

(, Main)

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Description

In 1985, after the twin disasters of Bradford and Heysel, football was in turmoil. Following 'that' final - between Dennis Taylor and Steve Davis - Britain found itself in the grip of a new sporting obsession. Snooker or 'Coronation Street with balls' was suddenly big business and with TV and the corporate world looking to cash in, 1986 was set to be a crucial year. In one corner was Barry Hearn and his Romford Mafia - Davis, Taylor, Griffiths and Knowles - and in the other were the bad boys - Higgins, White and Knowles - threatening the game's good name, and its earning potential. For one year, Gordon Burn travelled with this snooker circus, from Hong Kong and China to out of season resorts in the North of England and the season's finale in Sheffield. With unprecedented access to the leading players and personalities involved, Pocket Money affords a unique snapshot into an extraordinary time and place. At once funny, incisive and corruscating it is a classic of its genre.

Author Bio

Gordon Burn is the author of four novels, Alma Cogan (winner of the Whitbread First Novel Prize), Fullalove, The North of England Home Service and Born Yesterday. He is also the author of the non-fiction titles Somebody's Husband, Somebody's Son, Pocket Money, Happy Like Murderers, On The Way to Work (with Damien Hirst) and Best and Edwards.