Despite last week’s sad demise of London Irish Holdings, publication of a comprehensive new book chronicling the rich 125 year history of London Irish Rugby Club will – with a little help from the club’s loyal supporters and friends – proceed as planned.
Researched and written by former London Irish press and public relations legend Paddy Lennon, whose association with the club goes back 50 years, the 380 page coffee table book ‘London Irish: 125 Years of Passion in Exile’ has been in production for several years and will be packed with never before seen photographs and memorabilia.
Originally supported by both the professional and amateur arms of London Irish, publishers Vision Sports Publishing have agreed to proceed with publication without the agreed funding after the professional club was suspended from the Premiership and the administrators were called in.
London Irish supporters can help get the project over the line by pre-ordering a special limited Collectors’ Edition of the book, signed by club legend Topsy Ojo and including an evocative photographic print of the club’s first-ever team from the 1898-99 season. The book will come in a smart, embossed slipcase with each copy numbered between 1-500.
If the publishers receive 500 orders or more of the Collectors’ Edition, the full print run of the book can go to press and all those who have contributed in this way will have their name (or that of a chosen person) included in a Roll of Honour at the back of the book.
These special Collectors’ Edition copies are only available for pre-order at £60 (€70) each between June 14th and July 24th at londonirishbook.com. They will then be distributed in October, at the same time as the publication of a more traditional format edition which will have an RRP of £40 (€50).
“The sad events of last week affected so many people associated with the club, not only the players and staff of the professional club but also the wider London Irish family,” said Paddy Lennon. “The outpouring of emotion has made the publishers and myself more determined than ever to complete this project and ensure that the rich history of the club is properly recorded and documented
“The book tells the story of the club, revealing its true origins for the first time for example, and features the many personalities, both on and off-field, that shaped it over the decades. It is also a treasure trove of historical artefacts, including an honour cap from the very first season, that I have spent the best part of a decade unearthing with the help of many passionate supporters
“We also acknowledge that while this book will not have a particularly happy ending in one context, the club lives on not only in the amateur side of things but in the hearts of thousands for whom the club has – at one time or another – been a special home from home.”
A donation from sales of the book will be divided between the Amateur club’s Injured Player Fund and the London Irish Foundation
*If the minimum quantity is not reached then all funds will be returned before 31st July 2023
Instagram: londonirishbook For further information please contact Toby Trotman
Twitter: @LondonIrishBook at Vision Sports Publishing:
Facebook: London Irish – 125 Years of Passion in Exile toby@visionsp.co.uk • 07966 691 65
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