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.

For the second book Charlie's brother Edward takes credit for being the catalyst for my writing the book - an experience I enjoyed as it rekindled memories of the 1970s.

"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.

A link to a television appearance in September 2018 discussing the book:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJQy6MlDzpg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6qGuc1KjbyE

And a podcast of the Irish Radio Team 33 radio programme in October 2018 discussing the book:

https://www.newstalk.com/podcasts/Team_33/Team_33/236022/Sheffield_United_and_Wednesday__The_Steel_City_Derby

The next book "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. Reminding myself about the decade the average attendances figures for each club is a real eye-opener.

A link to a discussion on BBC Radio Sheffield on August 13th 2020 about the new book:

https://www.pitchpublishing.co.uk/sites/default/files/2020-08/New%20Recording.mp3

A link to a chat with Alex Horsburgh about Football in the 1980s and the book on The Max radio station on 30th September 2020:

https://t.co/NraH2NdHoQ

The latest book - "What Was Football Like In The 1990s?" - is 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 link to a discussion with Jonny Brick and The Football Library in July 2022:

https://soundcloud.com/jonny_brick/the-football-library-radio-show-richard-crooks

And links to the two-part discussion about 1990s football and the book with Alan Biggs and Jamie Hoyland on the Sheffield Live television programme in August 2022:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jq3HbVtC4v0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4OMDxXCHqqA

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.