The Bish: It's All About Me

A rugby genius, yet ‘only’ a one-cap wonder. A young thug,
who received a bravery award while in prison. A misfit, yet a cult hero to
some. Jekyll and Hyde in rugby boots.

David Bishop saved two people’s lives, overcame a broken
neck, and inspired Pontypool to new heights. On the flip side was violence,
prison and a huge, career-defining WRU ban. His League career didn’t play out
smoothly, nor did a stint coaching Pooler, and then came drug addiction,
divorce, depression and a stroke.

Undeterred, he picks his way through a tumultuous life
looking for answers, laughing and crying in equal measure. An extraordinary,
no-holds-barred account, laced with humour, warmth and a rare candour. A rugby
book like no other.

Author Biography

David Bishop came back from a broken neck to become a huge talent for Pontypool RFC in Rugby Union in the 1980s before going on to switch codes and play for Hull KR in League (see synopsis).
Co-author Brendan
Gallagher, an award-winning sports journalist, was the ‘Pontypool man’ for the South Wales Argus
and South Wales Echo in Bishop’s Rugby Union heyday between 1985 and
1988. A graduate of Hayter’s sport agency, he was a sports correspondent,
columnist and feature writer at the Daily Telegraph for almost 20 years
and has covered 45 sports in over 50 countries, focusing especially on rugby,
cycling, athletics, basketball and all things Olympics. He has also written
official histories of the Rugby World Cup, the Giro D’Italia and Great
Britain’s involvement with the Olympics, and is co-author of autobiographies
from Brian O’Driscoll and cycling legends Nicole Cooke and Bradley Wiggins.