In Big Con, acclaimed journalist and author Trevor Thompson unearths the astonishing life of Thomas Shortel, who fled Australia under a cloud of scandal and reinvented himself as Con Jones—Canada’s most influential sporting figure of the early 20th century.
With sharp investigative flair and rich historical insight, Thompson tracks Jones’ journey from a Melbourne Cup betting scandal to building a stadium in Vancouver, pioneering professional soccer, and striking deals with the world’s football powerbrokers. His influence extended to lacrosse, boxing, and even neon signage.
Con Jones was inducted into the British Columbia Soccer Hall of Fame in 2023.
Now, this gripping biography brings him home.
📖 Available now in paperback and e-book from Fair Play Publishing and all good bookstores.
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About Trevor Thompson
Trevor Thompson is a former Chief of Staff with ABC News, a genuine football historian, and author of One Fantastic Goal, Playing for Australia, and Burning Ambition (the latter co-authored with Nick Guoth). He brings a lifetime of curiosity—and a love of the game—to every page.