"Being John Stankevitch"

[View from The Bridge]

Listened to John tonight on the RL Hour on Merseyside as he was talking about his book that is available today. Sounds like a great read from one of the few Widnes lads to have played SL and then have his career cut tragically short at the age of 25 through a serious injury.

He said he would be doing a book signing in Widnes and St Helens in the forthcoming weeks. I'm sure he said the book was available from Love Rugby League.com but I can't see it in the shop section. He is also developing his own website which will soon be up and running.

http://johnstankevitch.com/

Good luck to him, would love to see him back at Widnes in a coaching capacity in the future.   

[Badly Overdrawn Boy]

Some info for you mate....

John Stankevitch’s autobiography is sure to raise eyebrows in the world of rugby league

JOHN STANKEVITCH was on the verge of a Great Britain call-up after over 100 first team appearances for St Helens where he’d featured in some of the biggest games in rugby league.

Then one tackle changed his career and life.

In his new book, Being John Stankevitch, he tells it how it is in a no-holds-barred account which is sure to raise some eyebrows in the world of rugby league.

Stankevitch never shirked a challenge in his days as a player and he needed all that courage, determination and skill to rebuild his life after being rocked with the devastating news that he would never pull on a rugby shirt again after a sickening injury. Despite the injury, he tried to rebuild his career by joining hometown club Widnes but was forced to call time on his playing days after just 22 appearances for the Vikings.

Since then, ‘Stanky’ has been hired and fired as a coach at Widnes. He has suffered financial and personal misery as his life was turned upside down by big mortgage demands and a failed business but he has come back a stronger person who is now continuing his coaching career at Rochdale Hornets.

He is also using his experience in top-flight rugby league to provide motivational support to prisons, schools and businesses.

Being John Stankevitch is available from totalrl.com and amazon.com at £15.99.

Read More http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/2011/06/18/john-lawless-john-stankevitch-s-autobiography-is-sure-to-raise-eyebrows-in-the-world-of-rugby-league-100252-28898172/#ixzz1PfbtjKG3

[Spelly]

I bought the book at the 'Ornits Quiz on Wednesday off Stanky personally, and he signed it for me.

It's a really good read, and I recommend it to you.

Hope he's disappointed on Friday though! 

Spelly.

[Dawn]

Stanky will be doing a book launch in the Sports Bar 1.30pm til KO before the Eagles game, 26 June.

[shadowplay]

Stayed up till 3am reading it this morning. Some times mental toughness can overcome the loss of physical toughness. Its wrote in a very different but honest ways to other rugby books. Its a great read!

[Rafe Wrench]

Bought a copy from him before the Saints game on Saturday, and he was nice enough to chat to my lad on the phone - Cheers John.

I didn't think he looked like a big guy when I saw him water-carrying etc for us. Standing in front of him though - what a big penguin. You've got to wish the fella well and hopefully a decent job after Rochdale.