Magnificent book covers it all

THIS magnificent tome (552 pages of it) covers all you could ever wish to know about this illustrious championship.

Its only exclusion is the singles draws as these are now freely available on the All England Club’s website.

It began as the All England Croquet Club in 1868, became the All England Croquet and Lawn Tennis Club in 1877 and in 1882 was renamed the All England Lawn Tennis Club.

Fashion has always and still does today cause a furore. In 1927 Ruth “Billie” Tapscott (South Africa) caused a scandal by appearing on an outside court without stockings. In 1946 Yvon Petra (France) was the last champion to wear long trousers.

Here is Ross McWhirter’s poem penned to American Karol Fageros in 1958 – it could have been written about another.

There are pros and there are antis About her golden panties. Some say If you want all the press to rave at your dress

It’s not so barmy to wear gold Lameì Others say To sport a pair in metal so rare Only makes people stare as if you were bare. Personally I don’t care a toss, dear Miss Fageros

If you cover your bot with an ingot or not.

John Barrett’s 37-year career in the sports industry has provided the expertise to encapsulate all the history which is also captured in hundreds of high-class photographs.