CLR James's Beyond a Boundary remains one of the most finely crafted books on cricket ever written, while Norman Mailer's The Fight – his thrilling account of the famous Rumble in the Jungle – is dominated as much by Mailer's looming presence as it is by the protagonists themselves. Football fans, too, will tell you that no one has written a better account of the trials and tribulations of following a team than Nick Hornby in Fever Pitch.

Similarly, a piece of TV or radio commentary not only captures epic sporting moments it can become entwined with their history. So when Kenneth Wolstenholme uttered the now immortal words, "they think it's all over... it is now," he could scarcely have known they would enter English folklore.

The relationship between language and sport is just one of many themes that will be up for discussion at the Carnegie Sporting Words Festival, which opens next month in Yorkshire. This inaugural sports literary event has been organised by Harrogate International Festival, alongside Leeds Metropolitan University and BBC Sport.

William Culver Dodds, chief executive of Harrogate International Festival, says the four-day festival will look at everything from sports books and online blogs, to broadcasting and the tabloid back pages. "We are trying to cover as many sports as possible and to look at different themes so it's not just someone talking about their book. Sport in this country is not just about the Premiership, it's also about youngsters playing at the grass roots and our aim is to bring these elements together," he says.

It is hoped the Sporting Words Festival, being jointly held in Harrogate and at Headingley Stadium, will prove as successful as Harrogate's Crime Writing Festival which is now regarded as the world's biggest. "We wanted to use the university's sporting links and we came up with the idea of a sports writing festival that celebrates the old Olympian idea of sport being exercise for the body and the mind," says Mr Culver Dodds. "And when we did some research we found that apart from one in North America which has something to do with ice hockey, there isn't a sports writing festival like this anywhere else."

Highlights of the festival, which runs from October 2 to 5, include a tribute to Brian Clough by Guardian sports writer Richard Williams and rare TV footage of the footballing legend. Festival goers can take part in a special You Are The Ref panel to debate the weekend's bad decisions. Other special guests include the Guardian's investigative sports writer David Conn, TalkSPORT's Martin Kelner and Tom Watt, TV presenter and David Beckham's biographer.

Football isn't the only sport that will come under the microscope. The festival will also explore stories of how sport turned mailmen into medal winners, playing fields into Olympic arenas and teenagers into millionaires. It's a chance for fans to meet the people who write, report and commentate on the one thing that divides countries, unites governments and even breaks up marriages – sport.

Among the panel discussions will be hot topics such as the increasing influence of money in sport and "football slaves" and the intense rivalry of the famous Dassler brothers who founded the sportswear giants Puma and Adidas. While Paul Trevilion, the man who rebranded Don Revie's all-powerful Leeds United as Super Leeds during the '70s, will look at how marketing has changed the face of sport.

Yorkshire accounts for more than 17 per cent of sports books bought in the UK, part of a lucrative market worth an estimated £73m. But although sports literature is big business, Mr Culver Dodds says it doesn't always receive the recognition it deserves. "There is still this perception that sports writing is inferior and doesn't require the same intellectual rigor as high-end literature. I even spoke to a leading publisher who told me that a sports book would never get put forward for the Booker Prize."

But he believes that the quality and volume of sports writing has increased in recent years. "If you look at the back pages of newspapers the quality of some of the writing is outstanding and the breadth and depth of it is much greater than it was in the past."

Books, too, are tackling a wider range of issues. "There is a growing interest not just in footballing hagiographies but in quality sports books that are well written and reflective and it's something publishers are devoting more time to."

Mr Culver Dodds expects the Sporting Words Festival to become a big hit with audiences. "We've shown with the crime writing festival, which is now the biggest in the world, that these events can have a big international impact. The same thing can happen with the sports writing festival, we want people coming to Yorkshire from London, rather than the other way round."

Not only does he think the festival will prove successful, he feels it's long overdue.

"If you go to the big literary festivals they might have one event to do with sport but it's hidden away, because it isn't seen as important. Which is why this is a great chance to celebrate sports writing, because it deserves its own festival."

FESTIVAL hIGHLIGHTS

Thursday, October 2 – Headingley Carnegie Stadium. Schools Day

Children from across the region come to Headingley Carnegie Stadium to learn how to be a sports reporter, how to commentate on sporting events with the BBC and improve their sporting skills with professional coaches from Leeds Metropolitan University.



Friday, October 3 – Cedar Court Hotel, Harrogate

Launch Event – North South Quiz

Talk Sport's Martin Kelner heads the Historic first North vs South quiz, which is guaranteed to rattle a few cages, so expect passion, controversy and some pretty strong words. Special guests have been invited from both sides of the divide, including GQ's Harry Pearson and Loaded founder James Brown. Subject areas may cover obscure league cup replays, billiards and BMX as an Olympic sport. At stake is pride and the prestigious North vs South Golden Anorak trophy.



Saturday, October 4 – Cedar Court Hotel, Harrogate

Money Talks – Sport walks

The influence of money in sport, from overseas oligarchs to teenage millionaires. David Conn is one of the foremost investigative football journalists working today. Writing for the Guardian and World Soccer, he has explored the world of football finance and has written extensively on the subject and discusses the burning issues facing sport today.



Sunday, October 5 – Cedar Court Hotel, Harrogate

Come On My Son!

Tales from the junior leagues and competitive dads

Jim White writes for the Daily Telegraph and is the author of You'll Win Nothing With Kids, the story of coaching a junior football team. Tom Watt is a journalist and broadcaster and wrote the biography of David Beckham. He is working with UNICEF on football project and a range of children's books.

The Carnegie Sporting Words Festival takes place at Headingley Carnegie Stadium and the Cedar Court Hotel, Harrogate, from October 2-5.

For tickets or information about the full programme, including school events and a gala awards dinner, call the box office on 01423 562 303, or log on to www. sportingwords.com