SKU: 34973293746

Roy Francis: Rugby's Forgotten Black Leader

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Description

Roy Francis: Rugby's Forgotten Black LeaderCondition: BRAND NEW ISBN: 9781399417952 Format: Paper over boards Year: 2025 Publisher: Bloomsbury Description: The remarkable story of one man's struggle to overcome racism and revolutionise rugby coaching. In the 1950s and 1960s one man dominated rugby coaching like no other Roy Francis. He led teams to championships and Wembley finals, revolutionised the art of coaching and inspired his players to incredible achievements. But even more amazingly

Condition: BRAND NEW
ISBN: 9781399417952
Format: Paper over boards
Year: 2025
Publisher: Bloomsbury


Description:
The remarkable story of one man's struggle to overcome racism and revolutionise rugby coaching.


In the 1950s and 1960s one man dominated rugby coaching like no other- Roy Francis. He led teams to championships and Wembley finals, revolutionised the art of coaching and inspired his players to incredible achievements. But even more amazingly for those times, he was a Black man in a white world.


As the illegitimate child of a mixed-race couple who gave him up for adoption, his story recounts his upbringing in a Black family living in the Welsh coalfields, a childhood shaped by memories of the 1919 Welsh race riots and, foremost, his gift for rugby. Aged just seventeen, Roy played for Wigan and, despite facing racism, became the first Black player to play for Great Britain in either rugby codes.


Roy Francis became Hull rugby league club coach in 1951 where he introduced video-analysis, sports psychology and personalised training revolutionary methods which turned a mediocre team into championship winners. His crowning glory came when his Leeds team triumphed in the famous 1968 'Watersplash' Wembley Cup Final, before he headed Down Under as North Sydney Bears club coach.


Through archives, family members' accounts and former players' memories, Roy Francis tells the story of a family's journey from slavery to sporting success, and of a remarkable man who defied prejudice to reach the pinnacle of rugby as a player, coach and leader.
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SKU: 34973293746

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David Kuck
Boise, US
★★★★★ 5
NIce Shoes
Size: 10, Color: Black
Very nice quality and comfort
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Reviewed in the United States on June 1, 2026
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elizabeth a.
Port Orchard, US
★★★★★ 5
Great shoe.
Size: 11.5, Color: Navy
Perfect fit. Stylish comfortable.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 2, 2026
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phala riffel
Los Angeles, US
★★★★★ 5
Comfortable shoes
Size: 10.5, Color: Black
Fit well Look great Get compliments all the time
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Reviewed in the United States on April 3, 2026
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Amazon_Customer
Dallas, US
★★★★★ 5
The "Lazy Professional" Look: Is Hands-Free Luxury Actually Real?
Size: 9.5, Color: Black Napa Leather
Living down here in Florida, my footwear needs are pretty specific. It’s hot, it’s humid, and I spent half my life rushing from the car into work or a meeting. I’ve reached that age where I value efficiency just as much as style—maybe more. I’ve been eyeing the Marc Joseph New York Hands-Free Slip-on Penny Loafers for a while, and after putting them through the wringer, here is the honest truth from someone who just wants to look sharp without the hassle. The "Just Step-In" Reality Look, the big selling point here is the "Hands-Free" tech. We’ve all seen the commercials for those athletic slip-ins, but finding that in a legitimate leather penny loafer is a different game. Does it work? Yes, surprisingly well. The heel counter is firm enough that it doesn’t collapse when you slide your foot in, but it doesn’t feel like a piece of plastic digging into your Achilles once you’re in. For those of us who are tired of bending over or hunting for a shoehorn every morning, this is a genuine quality-of-life upgrade. The Florida Factor: Comfort and Style The leather is actual calfskin (on most models), which is a must for the Florida heat. Synthetic shoes turn into a sauna within ten minutes, but these breathe reasonably well. The aesthetic is classic—it’s a "professor" shoe through and through. You can wear them with chinos and a blazer for work or throw them on with some nice jeans for a weekend lunch. Inside, they’ve got a gel heel insert and a padded footbed. It’s not quite "walking on a cloud"—let’s not over-hype it—but it’s a massive step up from the hard, flat soles of traditional dress loafers. I’ve spent four hours on my feet lecturing, and my arches didn’t hate me by the end of the day. The Sizing Gamble Here’s where you need to be careful. The consensus from other guys (and my own experience) is that the sizing is a bit of a coin toss. They tend to run a little large and sometimes wide. If you have narrow feet, you might find the sides "gaping" or flaring out when you walk, which kills the sleek look. I’d recommend ordering a half-size down if you’re usually between sizes. The Breakdown The Pros: True Hands-Free: You can actually put these on while holding a coffee and a briefcase. No hands needed. Legit Materials: The calf leather feels premium and smells like the real deal. Versatility: Perfectly bridges the gap between a "car shoe" and a formal loafer. Comfort: The gel insert makes a noticeable difference for long-duration wear. The Cons: Sizing Inconsistency: They can run wide, leading to some "heel slip" if you don't get the perfect fit. Break-in Period: The heel is stiff by design (to allow for the slip-on feature), so expect a day or two of minor stiffness. Price Point: They aren't cheap, though often on sale. Value for Money Are they worth it? If you’re comparing them to high-end Italian brands that cost $500, these are an absolute steal. They look 90% as good for a fraction of the price. However, if you're used to $60 mall shoes, the jump to $150+ might feel steep until you realize you’re paying for the convenience of never having to touch your shoes to put them on. For a daily driver in a professional setting, the value is definitely there.
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Reviewed in the United States on April 10, 2026
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Edward A. Cleveland
Grantham, US
★★★★★ 5
Step In Look Good
Size: 11.5, Color: Cognac Napa Leather
I am wearing these shoes as I write this review, and they look and feel great. I have a bit of a disability with drop foot on the right leg and bilateral neuropathy and have been wearing step in shoes for about 10 years. But the first company that introduced leather dress and casual shoes stopped making them and now only makes sport and casual shoes. So I have been searching for some that meet my need for shoes like this and this company has given me three pairs, so far. Easy to get into, comfortable to wear, and good looking. And they take polish very well, too. (Remember how to do that?). We may buy another pair or two in different styles as well.
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Reviewed in the United States on April 26, 2026

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