Ian Collis

During a varied career as a town planner, ecologist and environmental consultant, I campaigned for the built and natural heritage, writing many publications for charities, local authorities and heritage organisations. I set up projects which protected and enhanced Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter, Derby's riverside and the parks of Stoke-on-Trent, among many others. Now retired, I have combined my passion for writing with a fascination for the interaction between people and places, past and present. The result is 'The Derby Game' which I hope will be as absorbing to read as it was to write. My greatest football achievement was scoring five goals against Liverpool Philharmonic - perhaps not the toughest team in that football loving City.