In goal for Hatters, Railwaymen and Knitters FC, my agent, Stan at Jenny Brown Associates, for his tenacity and faith.
In defence, local and football club historians, for their solid work and concentration.
In midfield, Charlotte Atyeo and Nick Humphrey at Bloomsbury, for their tireless running and sparks of genius.
Up front, Marisa and Kaitlyn Gray, for being the superstars that make me tick.
Also, above-the-head applause to the loyal supporters of HRKFC: my Mum, Dad, sisters and their families; the Maw-in-Law; Pikeys FC, Gez and Seats; Trout (for kind words and our days gone by); Paddy Dillon; D.B.; Kilsby and Williams; Fleming types; Dave Scott; Gary Sutherland; Gavin MacDougall; Rob Nichols at Fly Me to the Moon fanzine; Billy Gould at The Leither.
I am indebted to the Bard of Barnsley Ian McMillan (www.ian-mcmillan.co.uk) for permission to quote from his ace mural poem outside Sheffield Station, and to Lemn Sissay (www.lemnsissay.com) for the excerpt from his spellbinding ‘Spark Catchers’. Special mentions, too, for the marvellous copy editing of Julian Flanders, the proofreading of Eugenie Woodhouse, and the inspiring works of Stuart Roy Clarke.
A final thanks to the many nameless walk-on characters whose words and actions colour this book, to its towns for making me smile and to its football clubs for being the flawed and wonderful institutions they are.
@d_gray_writer