Malcolm Crane, born in Blackpool and educated at St Joseph’s College between 1958 and 1963, is a British author and sports enthusiast best known for his works on rugby union and golf. His notable publications include The Rugby Clubs of England, The Story of Ladies’ Golf, and A Century of Knott End Golf, each reflecting his deep appreciation for British sporting heritage.
Beyond his achievements as a writer, Crane has long been passionate about horse racing—a lifelong interest that reached a career highlight in March 2024 when he became a co-owner of White Rhino, the racehorse that captured hearts with its victory at the Cheltenham Festival. As a member of the ownership syndicate, Crane celebrated White Rhino’s triumph in the Pertemps Network Final Handicap, a defining moment for the team and a testament to years of dedication to the sport.
Now based in Little Thornton, Crane continues to divide his time between writing and racing, maintaining his reputation as both a chronicler of sporting history and an active participant in it. His career reflects a lifetime devoted to the spirit of competition, tradition, and the enduring stories that define British sport.
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In The Rugby Clubs of England, former Rugby World correspondent Malcolm Crane delves deep into the colourful, chaotic, and often humorous history of English rugby. The book poses—and answers—some of the sport’s most unexpected and intriguing questions: at which Manchester club did the infamous doctor Harold Shipman once lend medical assistance? Which former Conservative Party leader discovered that his closest brush with Number 10 came not in politics but as fly-half for Birmingham Solihull? And how did a small Wiltshire rugby club play a key role in the creation of Glasgow Rangers Football Club?
Beautifully illustrated with more than 400 photographs and images, and profiling over 500 clubs across the country, Crane’s book captures the true spirit of English rugby—its eccentric characters, unlikely heroes, and long history of both triumph and turmoil. With a sharp eye for storytelling and an affection for the game’s quirks, The Rugby Clubs of England paints a vivid portrait of a sport that mirrors the changing social and political fabric of the nation, from village pitches to national glory.
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The Story of Ladies’ Golf by Malcolm Crane offers a comprehensive and engaging account of the evolution of women’s golf, tracing its roots from the game’s earliest days to its modern professional era. Crane highlights a fascinating and often overlooked fact—that it was a woman who helped shape golf into the game we recognise today.
The book explores the parallel rise of both amateur and professional women’s golf, celebrating the pioneering figures who challenged convention and opened the fairways for future generations. Featuring a detailed “who’s who” of the sport’s heroines, it profiles trailblazing players whose skill, determination, and passion helped redefine the game.
Beyond players and tournaments, Crane also examines how equipment and fashion evolved alongside the sport, reflecting wider changes in society and attitudes towards women in athletics. Richly illustrated and meticulously researched, The Story of Ladies’ Golf stands as both a tribute and a historical record—capturing the elegance, endurance, and quiet revolution that have defined women’s golf for over a century.
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Very nicely produced and lavishly illustrated throughout with black and white and colour photographic plates. A very well written centenary history. In original attractive white pictorial paper covered boards.
Text source: The Gazette'swebsite
