The Last Amateurs: The Incredible Story of Ulster Rugby’s 1999 European Champions

by Jonathan Bradley

'If we win today, for the rest of our lives we'll be blood brothers. Nobody can do it for us. We are the twenty-two players who can go out there and create history.' 

Stuart Duncan

In 1999, Ulster – whose squad included builders, students and lorry drivers, as well as professional players – overcame the odds to become the first Irish champions of Europe. 

The Last Amateurs  tells the story of how the team went, in just fourteen months, to a record-breaking 56-3 defeat to Wasps, to victories over French giants Toulouse and Stade Français to secure their place in Irish history.

Based on interviews with all the key members of the squad – including David Humphreys, Mark McCall, Simon Mason and Andy Ward – the book tells for the first time the remarkable story of the players and the team, and of the turbulent campaign that led to them being crowned kings of Europe. 

Genres: Sports

190 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 22, 2018

Reviews

[Richard JF Gallick · Rating 5 out of 5]

When luck comes calling

I had known that Ulster had won the European cup some time ago but I never new the full story until I read this book. When you read this book you will understand my headline. A must read for any rugby supporter.

[Robin Peake · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved it cause it brought back so many memories as a 12 year old. Remember watching the final for £3! Felt pained in places tying the cup run to wider national events, but retells the story well. Worth it for the pure nostalgia.

[Don · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful story. Read Roy of the Rovers stuff

[John Steenson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply fantastic record of one of the happiest sporting achievements ive ever witnessed

[Andrew Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great insight into the success of Ulster Rugby in 1999. Would highly recommend to all Ulster supporters young and old.

[Campbell Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

The summit

A nostalgic recount of Ulster Rugby's amazing day at the pinnacle of Europe. Very special and should inspire the continuing attempts for the summit

[Stephen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this. It’s definitely a must-read if you’re (as I am) a fan of Ulster Rugby. If you’re a rugby (or even sports) fan more generally, it’s worth a look as it captures an interesting moment in the transition of the sport from the amateur into the professional era, and also tells a good story of the rather unlikely sequence of sporting events (I’d either forgotten or not appreciated at the time just how unlikely) that led to Ulster winning the European Cup in 1999. For the general reader, the focus might be a bit too parochial and it feels to me that it could have done more to connect to the societal background - this was just after the Good Friday Agreement, making this a fascinating, unique time and place. But it would be understandable if the author just didn’t really want to go there - this reads more like a local newspaperman writing for his local sporting audience, and that’s fair enough.