A Love Letter to Football is the story of how the beautiful game, from the litter-strewn pitches of the grassroots to packed stadiums at the top of the sport, can help carry us through our darkest days. In 2016, Mark Davies was diagnosed with a rare and incurable blood cancer. A lifelong supporter of Middlesbrough Football Club, his devotion to the club and passion for a game so cherished by billions of people has been essential in helping him navigate the uncertainty of diagnosis and treatment. It's been a fundamental part of his life in other ways too, from dealing with depression to fatherhood, not to mention some of the trials and tribulations of life's broader challenges.This honest, funny and entertaining account of a life-changing experience, love for a football club and the way the game has been a bedrock throughout his life underlines that football may not be more important than life and death, but the joy and ecstasy it can bring - even for a Middlesbrough fan - really can help when times are hard.

About the Author

Mark Davies is a writer, journalist and communications professional. He has worked for the BBC, CNN, Liverpool Echo, Liverpool Daily Post and Teesside Evening Gazette. He has written for The Guardian, Daily Telegraph and The Mirror as well as Middlesbrough fan sites The Boro Breakdown, Fly Me To The Moon and The Boro Mag.

Reviews

"Moving, funny and beautifully written. Mark Davies has delivered a wonderful, uplifting chronicle of where sport - in this case football - can take you when life has transported you to the darkest places. I cannot recommend it highly enough."

-- Phil McNulty, Chief Football Writer * BBC Sport *

"Profoundly moving, brilliantly written and beautifully observed, this is a Fever Pitch for our times, a wonderful antidote to the ills of modern football and a reminder of the power for good the game still wields."

-- Oliver Holt, Chief Sports Writer * The Mail on Sunday *

"A tender reflection on the way the love of football helps us cope with anything, even our own mortality."

-- Alyson Rudd * The Times *

"Absolutely brilliant... the most moving read of the year."

-- Paul Ross * TalkSPORT *

"Tears came to my eyes several times as I was reading this book and remembering the moments I lived through at Middlesbrough."

-- Juninho * Middlesbrough legend and World Cup winner with Brazil *

"A beautiful book... I recommend it whether you are a Boro fan or not... it is a wonderful document of love, kindness, ups and downs - it's got it all."

-- Gary Philipson * BBC Radio Tees *

"A great achievement."

-- Neil Warnock * Middlesbrough manager 2020/21 *



Book Information
ISBN 9781801504898
Author Mark Davies
Format Paperback
Page Count 288
Imprint Pitch Publishing Ltd
Publisher Pitch Publishing Ltd