James Lawton
James Lawton receives his 2005 SJA award
from Hugh McIlvanney
(Picture courtesy of the SJA)
Chief sports writer on the Independent for the last five years and, in 2008, signed a new contract with the paper keeping him there until at least the time of the London 2012 Olympics. Previously held the same post on the Daily Express and, before that, had spells with the Daily Telegraph and the Express as a football writer, before working for the Vancouver Sun.
Jim has covered all major American sports events, world title fights, and several Olympic Games and World Cups.
He has won - and been nominated many times subsequently for - the title of British sports journalist of the year, and has published nine books including the recently acclaimed autobiographies of Nobby Stiles and Joe Jordan, and Tiger a Hockey story, which was the biggest sports book-seller in Canadian publishing history. He is also a regular contributor to many radio and television sports programmes.
Jim was named Columnist of the Year by the SJA in 2005, feature writer of the year in 2006, and What the Papers Say Sports Journalist of the Year in 2007. In 2007 he also produced the first part of Sir Bobby Charlton’s eagerly-awaited, two-part, Headline autobiography which became the best-selling sports book of the year.
Colours of My Life - Malcolm Allison Autobiography
Lester Piggott - a biography
All American War Game - a study of gridiron football
Tiger, A Hockey Story - biography of ice hockey "goon" Dave Tiger Williams
Jump - biography of Olympic Highjumper Debbie Brill
Mission Impossible - biography of Lennox Lewis
George Cohen - My Autobiography
Nobby Stiles - After The Ball
Joe Jordan - Behind the Dream
The Saint - Ian St. John autobiography
Manchester United Opus (contributing writer)
My Manchester United Years: Sir Bobby Charlton’s autobiography
Business advisor to journalists, columnists and broadcasters: sport and media consultant