The Iron Duke

The Iron Duke

Bobby Windsor - The Life and Times of a Working-Class Rugby Hero

Summary

Lions legend Bobby Windsor has enjoyed triumphs beyond the dreams of most international players but has also suffered personal tragedy. His rugby career as the best hooker in the British Isles during the second golden era of Welsh rugby in the 1970s is a turbulent tale of blood and thunder on the pitch. There are riotous incidents off the pitch, including unscheduled fights with professional boxers, revelations about illegal payments during the so-called amateur era and what Windsor did to upset the Establishment and become blackballed by one of the most famous clubs in the world.

Windsor's irrepressible sense of humour comes shining through on every page, except when he gives chapter and verse on the personal crisis that drove him to plan suicide.

The Iron Duke
is the no-holds-barred, warts-and-all story of a working-class Welsh folk hero who rose from humble beginnings to become a permanent member of the greatest Lions team in the history of rugby union.

Reviews

  • One of the best rugby books of any era. An epic story of how the game used to be, of laughter and tears, from one of the most colourful men ever to play the game
    Stephen Jones, rugby correspondent, Sunday Times

About the authors

Bobby Windsor

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Peter Jackson

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