Attendance was disappointingly low, as a cynic would claim they could predict with a niche literary festival in its infancy, but those who sat through myriad entertaining and thought-provoking talks left feeling enriched and infinitely more knowledgeable.

The tribute to Brian Clough – billed as the highlight of the weekend's activities – was every bit as good as expected and the Fighting Talk quiz show, broadcast on BBC Radio 5 Live in front of an audience, saw hundreds of punters hanging on every word of witty Northern Irish host Colin Murray.

But it was the smaller, more intimate talks, which really shone as authors, journalists, broadcasters, lecturers, marketing representatives and athletes past and present discussed their passions.

Barbara Smit discussed the fascinating family feud which led to two brothers creating Adidas and Puma and author Caroline Gall led an insightful discussion with Mirror columnist Brian Reade and social historian Tony Collins about the rise of 1970 hooliganism.

The Guardian investigative journalist David Conn spoke candidly about the influence of Sky Sports and the days of the 90p ticket and author Les Scott spoke fondly of Stanley Matthews, Jimmy Greaves and Peter Shilton – a world-class goalkeeper who ironed his football boot laces and kept more than 200 scrapbooks recording his career.

Chelsea legend Alan Hudson joined BBC Sport's Pat Murphy at Saturday's comedy night to reveal stories such as the time the ground crew deliberately flooded Stamford Bridge to ensure they did not have to play three matches over the four-day Easter weekend and Italian journalist Gabriele Marcotti highlighted the differences and similarities between English and international sport.

The Daily Mirror chief sports writer Oliver Holt discussed whether paying £12 for a ticket to a German Bundesliga match was good value for money over a morning coffee and bacon sandwich with Ian Ridley from the Daily Mail, and Middlesex County Cricket Club captain Ed Smith came across as well-read and intelligent in discussing the role of sport in society, the human ingenuity of modern-day athletes and the importance of living a dignified life despite winning or losing.

It was a shame more sports fanatics were not here to celebrate the sporting word, but there is no doubt it will grow – much in the way the crime writing festival has – to become an important part of the literary calendar.

There are creases to iron out, such as the football-centric approach and lack of a real A-List sporting icon, but considering the types of organisations already involved, it is only a matter of time before the Sporting Words festival explodes to national prominence.