We were recently sent a new book by one of our followers, Lee Wellings.
Lee is not only a passionate fan of non-league Isthmian League Premier Division side Horsham FC, but he is also an author, broadcaster and journalist who’s covered sports for over 35 years around the world, and his latest offering is 'Football Fables' The First Eleven.
This excellent thought-provoking book contains 11 fictional short stories encompassing our 'beautiful game'.
I use the term 'Beautiful Game' but in truth, that has become somewhat of a myth, a saying that is now so far removed from what football has become in the upper echelons, its morphed from Cinderella-to the Ugly Sisters with the imposters driven by greed and money, taking everything they can out of it to line their own pockets or to further agendas.
We started Proper Football 3 years ago because we realised there still is a beautiful game, a game that is found in local communities, towns and villages all over the country where football fans still feel part of the game and have a sense of belonging and it's clear to me after reading 'Football Fables', that Lee is of the same mindset, not only because of his love of following Horsham FC but also his work writing about America’s growing influence in 'soccer', the Middle East’s takeover of sport and a game dominated by owners and broadcasting rights-holders who too often don’t care about the fans.
So, onto the book, a book that not only highlights the bad things engulfing our game but also some heart-warming tales that you can relate to.
The first fable is called 'The Footballer Who Kicked A Tortoise', now, sometimes you have to exaggerate a point to make a point but after I read this story I smiled to myself and thought this bizarre tale is actually believable!
It's the story of a very famous footballer with a huge ego surrounded by people who say yes and follows the frenzied media fallout and social media explosion after an incident with a Tortoise.
Lee writes these fables with plenty of wit and humour and superbly mocks the characters of whom you can visualise from the real media and punditry world we see on our TV screens.
In the book, Lee also tackles the dreaded topic of VAR in a chapter called, 'The Check' but does it in such an amusing way that shows just how ludicrous it is!
'A Tale of Two Clubs'' is about two Irish clubs being merged together that is orchestrated solely by an American TV corporation that couldn't care less about the community and the long history of the 2 sides, again, this fable has startling similarities to what is ongoing with Bedford Town a club with a long history who are on the verge of being merged/taken over by Real Bedford a relatively new club funded by American cryptocurrency investors!
Another fable, 'REF!', delves into the abuse referees suffer at the grassroots level, something that has filtered down from the professional game and how the hollow campaigns are a waste of time and ineffective.
'A Fable Of New York' is a story I found quite thought-provoking, the story of 2 old school commentators who were legendary and part of football royalty but are now being edged out for a new bread of young talent on the mic, sometimes accepting that things move on is not just difficult for those involved but for us fans who have to realise that dinosaurs didn't live forever!
This isn't just a book of stories that dives into all that is wrong with the game there are also some touching and soul-stirring fables.
'Tie A Yellow Scarf' is a fable about an old Oak tree that hinders a non-league side's progress up the football pyramid, a tale that was an inspiration from that of the real-life story of St Albans FC, which Lee actually reported on at the time.
The fable follows the relationship between two characters, one ageing club groundsman and a young fan who both have the same passion for their club, with the baton being passed over in a very touching story.
Another fable, 'Superstition', is an upbeat, funny look into the rituals many fans and players go through on a matchday for their team to win! Be it wearing a lucky item of clothing or meeting up for the game at the same place and sitting in the same seat!
I have to say this book is wonderful, an easy read that makes you reflect on things in the game and the changes that we see; it also stirs the memory with bits of nostalgia, which are brought to the fore in one of the fables called 'Golden Eras' which left me all sentimental!
'Lazy Susan', another one of the excellent fables is about a Scottish teenage girl who is a very talented footballer but is completely misunderstood and a troubled character who just needs someone to understand and believe in her, it's a story that highlights the struggle for women and girls to make their way in the game and for those who are typecast and labelled and consequently looked over but also shows that barriers can be broken down, this story leaves you with a smile on your face.
I can say without any hesitation this book is a thoroughly enjoyable read; even though they are short stories, you get to understand each character intimately, feel their emotions and visualise what they look like or who they portray in the real world of football!
You can buy your copy of this excellent book by clicking below.
I asked Lee what has following Horsham FC given to him and what he loves about football at that level?
Horsham FC helped me rediscover my childhood love of sport. The club and many other aspects of English non-league football are what sport should be. They are for the community, bringing people together, and affordable, and the bonus at Horsham is how well the team have done on the pitch under Dom di Paola. My first visit to the club (while house hunting in Horsham) was his first full season in charge in 2016. The club have had unprecedented success in the league (two promotions) and cups under him. The bond between management, players,
and fans is a special one and has been an inspiration to use in my writing about ‘proper football’ in the past few years.
Here's a video and a wonderful story we recently shared on our Facebook courtesy of Lee and it really sums up one of the many great things about non-league football and Horsham FC!
This is Jose. He’s from Peru.
The many travelling Horsham fans sing about our love for a South American country who was one of the best ⚽️ teams in the world in the late 70s. “it’s just like watching Peru.”
The sash on our kit is inspired by Peru. A few of our fans wear Peru shirts. So when I saw the shirt waved around at the game today during the song I presumed it was a fan from our town.
Turns out Jose is actually from Peru!
And this was his first Horsham match.
He’s from Lima but moved to Sussex from Italy!
A 2-1 away win at Whitehawk with around 250 travelling fans in the 7th tier of English football. Naturally, he loved it!
Lee can also be found on Substack, where you can follow his brand-new online fables, which are part of a subscription to The Sports Specialist, where you can find his latest fable offering, 'Gangsta Ref', about a referee who turns the stakes and terrorises fans and players!
Here's a little teaser from Lee:
Lee also writes other interesting journalistic articles on sports throughout each month:
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It's been an absolute pleasure reading the book and speaking to Lee, and I look forward to reading his future work and Football Fables and lastly, best wishes to Horsham FC in the future!
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