NEVER in the history of the game has one life brought both joy and tragedy in such huge measures. Duncan Edwards was the jewel in the crown of the Busby Babes, an all-time legend at just 21, who was denied the chance to achieve even greater footballing success by the Munich Air Disaster in 1958. This fascinating new biography, with support from friends and relatives, includes rare and unseen pictures and tells the story of the boy who left his home in Dudley to earn his Manchester United debut at the age of 16 – and made such an impression that he was an England international at 18. The most forensic account of this remarkable life and career includes new interviews, as well as contributions from icons of United and the wider English game – plus quotes from Edwards himself. He packed so much into a short career, collecting 18 caps, winning the First Division title twice, and helping Matt Busby’s team take their first steps in European football, but it was an all-round game that had no weakness that impressed most. Team-mate Bobby Charlton summed Edwards up best: “Sentiment can throw a man’s judgement out of perspective. Yet it is not the case with him. A few are great, and deserve respect. But Duncan Edwards was the greatest.” ‘Eternal’ is the complete story of an extraordinary footballer, whose influence on Manchester United and the success that followed can still be felt today.

Sammy McIlroy experienced one of the most memorable careers in football. After all, who else can say they played with George Best, Denis Law and Bobby Charlton, experienced relegation, won trophies and played under six different managers at Manchester United? With more than 400 appearances, McIlroy - the last player signed by the legendary Sir Matt Busby - is a bona fide Old Trafford legend, and is an intrinsic part of the fabric of its illustrious history. One of the few footballers to have played in two international tournaments for Northern Ireland (and been captain in one), 'Super' Sam went on to manage his country after a successful spell in charge of Macclesfield Town. He tells his extraordinary story with remarkable candour and emotion, pulling no punches. From the anxiety of his homesickness to the exhilaration of his club debut, from the lows of his heartbreaking exit from United to the highs of leading his country out in a World Cup, The Last Busby Babe finally puts on record one of the greatest careers in football history.

In the 1980s Manchester United was the footballing byword for underachievement. The club had struggled to rediscover its identity after the shock dismissal of Tommy Docherty in 1977 and a four-year spell under Dave Sexton, a highly respected coach but the polar opposite of his predecessor. Ron Atkinson brought the thrills back to Old Trafford and won two FA Cups before being dismissed in November 1986. 'Big Ron' was the latest in a long line of managers who tried but failed to win the prize United wanted most - the First Division championship. Yet contrary to his reputation for glorious failure, Que Sera, Sera reveals how Atkinson's footballing ideals made him the perfect man to lead the biggest club in the country. Drawing on meticulous research and exclusive interviews, Wayne Barton shines a guiding light on a greatly neglected period of Manchester United history that was filled with big characters and big controversy. Here, for the first time, are the unbridled views of the players, chairman Martin Edwards and 'Big Ron' himself.

In 2013, when legendary boss Sir Alex Ferguson announced his retirement, Manchester United seemed the dream job for any football manager. Champions of England, the biggest and most profitable club in the world. What could possibly go wrong for his successor, who would be appointed with the clear intention of continuing the club's rich tradition? Redprint explores, in forensic detail, the six turbulent years at Old Trafford since Ferguson walked away. Despite record levels of expenditure, a succession of different managers with different philosophies and concerns about the changing identity of the club, United continued to compel throughout this period of underachievement. Wayne Barton examines each of the managerial reigns since 2013 and discusses their successes and failures in a historical and contemporary context to ask the question - are Manchester United closer to regaining their glory, or are they simply repeating mistakes of years gone by?

This is a beginner's guide from the world's most renowned chip carver! Wayne Barton - author of "Chip Carving and Art of Chip Carving" - presents what is unquestionably the finest guidance ever for the novice. He has been the driving force behind the craft's resurgence and his technical knowledge, design skills and ability to instruct remain unequalled. One by one, with the aid of colour photographs, he covers tools and materials, the best woods, holding and sharpening chip carving knives and laying out and transferring patterns. Borders, grids, rosettes, free-form design, positive image design and lettering all receive separate, in-depth chapters, as does Barton's special, time-tested hints.

Wayne Rooney. Teenage prodigy. Everton, Manchester United and England legend. Record-breaking goalscorer. Icon. Maverick. One of a kind. Rooney’s genius was evident from the early days he kicked a ball around the playing fields of his Merseyside home. He carried that instinctive talent from the streets of Croxteth to the biggest football arenas in the world. Now, just over 12 months since he called time on his remarkable playing career, Rooney: Teenage Kicks chronicles the compete story in detail, from early days making his mark on Everton’s books through to his coronation as the leading goalscorer for England and the most famous club in the country, Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United. Rooney was seen as the jewel of England’s ‘golden generation’ from the moment he burst on to the scene in 2002. He was a force of nature for his boyhood club and stunned the world with his blistering performance at Euro 2004. The tournament earned him a move to Manchester United and greatness beckoned – over the next thirteen years he scored goals in the hundreds and won trophies at a similarly prolific pace. His partnership with Cristiano Ronaldo was the highlight of one of the most glittering periods in Old Trafford history. As well as becoming one of the few players to have won every trophy there is to win for United, Rooney broke out on his own in January 2017 when he surpassed Sir Bobby Charlton’s goalscoring record. A return to Everton was followed by a spell in the MLS with DC United before the last year of his career at Derby. It was not all rosy for Rooney – two transfer requests made him a polarising figure with United supporters, whilst the weight of expectation at international level was often a burden that seemed too great to carry. Despite all of his achievements, Rooney retired with some wondering if he had fulfilled the potential that seemed so immense in the early years of his career. Now, for the first time, his career is recounted in full and scrutinised in depth by celebrated Manchester United author Wayne Barton.

Few footballers in history have commanded as much media attention as David Beckham. From the moment he announced himself to the world with a breathtaking goal from the halfway line against Wimbledon in 1996, he became public property. Over the next two years, as he embarked on a relationship with a Spice Girl and was sent off in a crucial World Cup game for England, he was loved and loathed in equal measure. The restoration of brand Beckham saw him installed as England captain and almost universally loved by the time he blazed a trail across the globe with stops in Madrid, Los Angeles, Milan and Paris. But what about the player behind the celebrity? What about the boy born to play for Manchester United - the midfielder who exemplified the idea that dedication and hard work can pay off? Isn't it time he was celebrated too? Drawing on exclusive interviews with former Beckham team-mates, acclaimed footballer writer Wayne Barton explores Beckham's contribution as one of the greatest players of his generation.