Author pens debut book for charity

8:19pm Wednesday 5th March 2008

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AN OPEN university lecturer from Waterfoot has written his debut book and will be giving the profits to Sport Relief.

Mike Clough, of Shawclough Road, was trying to write an academic textbook about the role of the fan in the history of football, but discovered he did not have enough information.

On hearing about Sport Relief, the 39-year-old decided to use his information to compile a book - The Time-travelling Football Fan - to raise cash.

Mike is also to run two sponsored miles for Sports Relief - one in Manchester and the other in Burnley.

He plans to sell his book after crossing the finishing line.

Mike, who suffers from Asthma, had to carefully consider whether to do the runs.

He said: "I was concerned that I wouldn't get very far before wheezing to an embarrassing standstill!

"At the time I was doing research to explore whether there was sufficient material to write an academic text.

"Unfortunately this didn't seem to be so but then I had the idea of compiling my research into a small book for Sport Relief - a lot easier than running!"

The book covers many topics including the exploration of homophobia in football, the rise and decline of women's football, the economics of the game, various scandals, the history of televised football and the tragedies of Heysel and Hillsborough.

Mike, who was taken to Manchester United's matches as a five-year-old by his dad, said: "I began with a look at the earliest form of football and how it appealed to the medieval poor.

"The book is an introduction to the curious history of the beautiful game - various themes are interwoven with an easy to read narrative. Throughout the emphasis is on ordinary people not the big players.

"I think it would appeal to anyone who has a love of football, history, or both.

"I'd welcome all the support I can get - the more copies sold the more money is made for this worthwhile cause."

The book, priced £5, is available from Mike's website http://www.timetravellingfootballfan.co.uk and he is organising for local libraries to also sell the book.

He will also be selling the book outside the next FC United game at Gigg Lane.

In his spare time, Mike enjoys socialising, reading and playing squash.

Sport Relief Mile runs near you are at: Towneley Holmes in Burnley and King William Street in Blackburn, both on Sunday, March 16.

All cash raised is spent by Comic Relief to help people with tough lives in the UK and other countries.