Richard Crooks

The inspiration for writing my first book - "Grandad - What was Football like in the 1960s ?" - came from taking my grandson Charlie, aged 6, to his first football game. The whole football experience for him made me think about football in the 1960s when I was a young lad growing up in Sheffield.

I have a real passion for football and I enjoyed writing the book and doing a little research on particular aspects of the game in the 1960s.

"Grandad What was Football like in the 1970s ?" has a similar format to the first book, building and expanding on the major themes of that decade. It is interesting to reflect my thoughts of the time as a teenager and a young adult, highlighting the context of the times in my writing.

"Wednesday v United The Sheffield Derby" - there is nothing but nothing like the Sheffield derby. I had to write a book about the most passionate game, the rivalry, the history, the experiences and a whole lot more. I have not missed a Sheffield derby since my first one in 1965. The intensity, the tension, the expectation, the anticipation and much more is all there.

"What was Football like in the 1980s?" is a return to the perspective of football and its context in the decade - excellent football and great teams, but overshadowed by the tragedy of the Bradford Fire, the Heysel disaster and Hillsborough, as well as the scourge of hooliganism.

Followed by - "What Was Football Like In The 1990s?" - a continuation of the narrative which started for me with the 1960s book. I enjoyed the research and the writing of the book which is focussed on a decade which saw the greatest changes for football.

A change of direction for the next book - "The Rolling Stones in Sheffield" - my home city and my favourite band.

"Ruling the Roost The Managers of Sheffield Wednesday" - the club I support and fascinating research to learn more about the men at the helm from the earliest times. The book complemented with great insights from former Wednesday player and manager, Chris Turner, and experienced local journalist and broadcaster Alan Biggs.

The new book - "Programmes! A History Through Football Programmes" underlines the richness of both the narrative and advertising content in the football programme from the earliest times. The changes in society, culture and football brought out in this book - I guarantee there will be many little known factual gems that readers find in the book.

I've been fortunate to have seen games played on each continent - enjoyed the crowds in Buenos Aries, the great European theatres at the Camp Nou, the Santiago Bernabeau, the intensity and passion of the crowd at Union Berlin, the Sydney derby and many more. My real passion is for the game in this country and the emotional roller-coaster that following your club inevitably brings.

I live in Hertfordshire and watch as many games in a season as I can - time and cost permitting - including League and Non-League football.

My lifelong support of Sheffield Wednesday is undiminished by the slings and arrows of fortune that have propelled that roller-coaster of emotion for me for over 60 years.