The longlist for the 34th William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award has been revealed. A record 158 books were entered into this year’s Award, featuring a diverse mix of authors from across a wide range of sports including, tennis, football, athletics, golf, rugby and cycling.

Following a rigorous judging process from a panel including The Athletics’ Nancy Frostick, sports presenter Matt Williams and William Hill’s Neil Foggin, 15 authors have been selected for this year’s longlist.

The 15-book longlist features an array of topics including hard-hitting autobiographies and heart-breaking memories, along with harrowing accounts of racism and sexism in sport and never-been-heard before encounters of some of the most compelling figures within the sporting industry.

With the Lionesses winning the UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 in July and the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 taking place at the end of the year, it’s no surprise that topics around football dominates this year’s longlist, with eight books making the list. Cycling provides three titles, with athletics, golf, rugby union and tennis represented each with a single title.

Three female authors made the cut with retired track and field athlete Anyika Onuora, The Guardian’s football writer Suzanne Wrack, and former Irish international footballer Clare Shine are in the running for the Award. The story of female athlete Beryl Burton, who dominated the world of cycling, also features in the longlist.

Former sports stars, and first-time authors, Patrice Evra and Steve Thompson have also made the list for the Award which has a £30,000 cash prize for the winner.

The William Hill Sports Book of the Year 2022 Longlist:

Be Good, Love Brian: Growing Up with Brian Clough by Craig Bromfield (Football)

The Master: The Brilliant Career of Roger Federer by Christopher Clarey (Tennis)

1999: Manchester United, the Treble and All That by Matt Dickinson (Football)

Le Fric: Family, Power and Money: The Business of the Tour de France by Alex Duff (Cycling)

I Love This Game by Patrice Evra (Football)

England Football: The Biography: 1872-2022 by Paul Hayward (Football)

God is Dead: The Rise and Fall of Frank Vandenbroucke, Cycling’s Great Wasted Talent by Andy McGrath (Cycling)

My Hidden Race by Anyika Onuora (Athletics)

Scoring Goals in the Dark by Clare Shine with Gareth Maher (Football)

Phil: The Rip-Roaring (and Unauthorised) Biography of Golf’s Most Colourful Superstar by Alan Shipnuck (Golf)

Expected Goals: The Story of how Data Conquered Football and Changed the Game Forever by Rory Smith (Football)

Unforgettable: Rugby, Dementia and the Fight of My Life by Steve Thompson (Rugby Union)

Beryl: In Search of Britain’s Greatest Athlete, Beryl Burton by Jeremy Wilson (Cycling)

Two Brothers: The Life and Times of Bobby and Jackie Charlton by Jonathan Wilson (Football)

A Woman’s Game: The Rise, Fall and Rise Again of Women’s Football by Suzanne Wrack (Football)