David Sheppard: Batting for the Poor: The authorized biography of the celebrated cricketer and bishop

David Sheppard for people of a certain age will be associated with cricket or as a leading bishop in the Church of England. In some cases their may well be people for whom Sheppard is remembered for both aspects of his life.Andrew Bradstock has achieved what might seem like an impossible task of bringing together in one volume both the cricket and Sheppard's Christian faith and especially his ministry in Liverpool as Bishop, It is in this latter position that Sheppard was able to take a very public stance on challenging the problems of poverty and inequality not only in Liverpool but also across the whole nation. In Liverpool his shared ministry with the Roman Catholic Archbishop Derek Warlock was an inspiring example of how two different Christian traditions could be brought together for the good of all people not only the members of their respective denominations. In addition the relationship they developed with John Newton representing the Free Churches was able to show how the churches together could contribute to the vision for the city of Liverpool.Sheppard was also a key figure on the national religious and political scene, his contribution to debates on inner city deprivation with a particular emphasis on the 1985 report Faith in the City which challenged the government of the day. Sheppard's ability to meet head on politicians like the Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and the government minister Norman Tebbit are an example of the Church speaking truth to power. His contribution to ensuring that the later report Unemployment and the Future of Work 1997 was able to offer insights that challenged received wisdom.Sheppard held a deep commitment to challenging the problems of urban society rooting his perspective in his theology. The challenges that he faced and sought to resolve remain to this day and in this biography we are shown what is possible when theology and pubic policy are brought together.Sheppard was supported by his wife Grace who like Sheppard comes alive in this book.Andrew Bradstock has produced a volume that deserves and perhaps for his successors demands to be read as a reminder of what is possible for a Bishop who is willing to stand up and speak up on issues of injustice.Revd. Terry Drummond

This is a fascinating biography of a man who was not only an icon of the Church of England but also a famous international cricketer. Sheppard lived through an era of significant social and political change and this is well captured in the backdrop to the book which covers issues such as the debates around amateur/professional sport, the Christian camps of the late 60s and early 70s, inner city development, apartheid and ecumenism.Sheppard was a man of action who left no hour of his 75-year life uncommitted. His achievements were many both on the cricket pitch and in his clerical life. He captained the England Cricket team and for 22 years was Bishop of Liverpool. His hands-on approach to clerical leadership was revolutionary at the time and contrasted with his life of early privilege. Sheppard stood against apartheid, advocated for the poor and promoted a vision of ecumenism ahead of its time using his celebrity status to create inroads into power bases to the benefit of those he served.In his wake however, Sheppard left damage. There is a strong sense in the book of a man closed off from himself and those around him in pursuit of his own vision. Hiswife Grace, daughter Jenny, RC Archbishop Derek Worlock, Suffragan Bishop Michael Henshall to name but a few emerge as hidden heroines and heroes supporting Sheppard in the realisation of his plans. One also feels sympathy for the person who commented “If you’re not black, poor and unemployed he doesn’t want to know you”. Interestingly Sheppard had no insight into this shortcoming.Professor Andrew Bradstock (a professor of Theology in New Zealand) is Sheppard’s authorised biographer which means that he was given access to Sheppard’s vast archive of private papers and his wife’s diaries in addition to several previously published autobiographies. He never spoke to David Sheppard who died in 2005.Indeed, Sheppard never wanted his biographer to meet him and as a result perhaps we never get to meet the real David Sheppard in the book, just the public figure. Nevertheless, the book is well researched and written in a smooth flowing style that makes its 376 pages an easy read.

This is a well researched biography of David Sheppard with many references and recommended further reading. It is a fascinating story of a man who excelled at cricket and the practice of the Christian faith. He is particularly marked out as an evangelical who addressed the needs of the poor when that was not the concern of most evangelicals - unlike many C19 ones - and his ecumenical vision, perhaps even less relished then relished by his evangelical brethren. A time ahead of his time!

Even ifyou don't like cricket, the Church of England or do-gooders, this is a compulsive, well-written and really interesting account of one man's life. A variety of issues are raised and you come away with the conviction that David Sheppard was a good man and lived a life worth living.

Accept that the subject matter will only interest a narrow field of readers; that said, it is a good read read. A bit stuffy in places, but that's what comes with the subject, but a good book all the same.

To any cricket enthusiast this is a must as it shows what character and self discipline can achieve with hard graft. Remarkable life of dedication to helping the poor and the early anti apartheid efforts (a very current BLM theme!).

A wonderfully written biography of David Sheppard.

Great read. Would highly recommend.