The Dream Goal: Football Reads

Steve Bullows - Football Development Manager for Tameside Sports Trust

What is your link to Football?

After years playing football from semi-professional down to grassroots football I found I thoroughly enjoyed being on the coaching and managerial side of football. I gained my first coaching qualification in the eighties and progressed to level 3. I am now the Football Development Manager for Tameside Sports Trust and my role covers all aspects of football. This includes maximising use of our two football centres at Medlock Leisure Centre in Droylsden and The Copley Centre, Stalybridge. This is done by providing a schools programme during the term, soccer schools during the holidays and mini soccer sessions every weekend. Also, I am a Football Association tutor and am involved in delivering the level 1 certificate in coaching football to adults over the age of 16.

What sort of books do you like to read?

I like to read fiction, books that can just take you away from the real world. Also I enjoy biography and autobiography books of sports people with my all time favourite being Sir Matt Busby's (Sir Matt Busby : a tribute, the official authorised biography by Rick Glanvill) - a past manager of Manchester United.

When and where do you read?

I enjoy reading to fill in those empty hours, such as waiting at airports and train stations. Also, during those lazy times on holiday when you really have nothing to do except lie next to the pool!

What were your favourite books when you were in school?

Whilst I read many books during my school life it was always related to my school work. Nevertheless I did enjoy some more than others. Animal Farm by George Orwell remains one that lasts forever in my memory but any book on mathematics was top of my list.

Have you got a favourite book?

Yes, a book called The day the team died by Frank Taylor. This was a book written about the Munich Air Crash when players from Manchester United lost their lives returning from a match played in Europe. The author was one of the surviving passengers and has written a moving book on one of the saddest happenings in sport.