Escape from Berlin: England’s Bert Sproston and the Football Refugee is an inspiring footballing tale of redemption. Leeds United full-back Bert Sproston is controversially forced to make the Nazi salute along with the other England players in Berlin in 1938. But as he leaves the Olympiastadion he befriends a refugee who wants to escape the Nazis. How were their lives entwined in dealing with tragedy and triumph? This gripping book explores Bert Sproston’s struggles to establish himself in non-league football before moving to Leeds, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City. It examines his role as Bolton Wanderers’ trainer in their 1958 FA Cup triumph despite his own personal loss in the Munich air disaster. And, most importantly, it reveals how one determined and defiant footballer fought intolerance with the spirit of tolerance. This is no ordinary football story.

John Leonard is a news and sports journalist of almost four decades' experience, spending most of his career at ITN as a programme editor for both ITV News and 5 News. Earlier in his career he worked as a sports news editor for ITN. His previous books include Flight to Bogotá: England's Football Rebel, Neil Franklin, which was longlisted for Football Book of the Year at the 2021 British Sports Book Awards.