Chisnall brothers in Balls, Gloves and Glory (From Warrington Guardian)

Chisnall brothers in Balls, Gloves and Glory

6:47pm Friday 1st March 2013 in Wolves news

Balls, Gloves and Glory, The Sporting Legacy of the Chisnall Brothers in Rugby League and Boxing is the story of the Chisnalls, an extraordinary sporting family who rose to become stars in rugby league and boxing.

Three of the brothers won rugby league’s Challenge Cup – and Dave and Eric represented Great Britain on Lions tours of Australia.

Eric spent more than 40 years at St Helens as a player and now part of the coaching staff.

His legacy includes developing a number of the modern-day greats including James Graham, Jonny Lomax and James Roby.

Dave, who sadly passed away in January, is best known for his spells at Warrington, Leigh and Saints, toured Australia when the Lions won the Ashes in 1970.

Les was a member of the inspirational Leigh team that lifted the Challenge Cup in 1971 against the odds when facing massive favourites, Leeds.

John was a professional boxer who developed a reputation as a tough fighter and later coached many successful athletes in the sport at his St Helens gym.

The family’s success is not only measured in the number of matches and trophies they won – although that haul is incredible – but also in the sporting legacy they continue to influence to this day.

With contributions from top rugby league and boxing stars their incredible story is told for the first time in Balls, Gloves and Glory.

The official launch and first book signing is taking place at the Red V café at St Helens' Langtree Park from 11am tomorrow, Saturday.

Authors Eric Chisnall and Andrew Quirke will be joined at the signing by Saints' Mike Rush and world middleweight contender Martin Murray, who was trained by John Chisnall early in his career.