32 Programmes

Description

The hilarious and moving story of a man called Dave (a football fan) and his most precious possessions... When Dave Roberts relocates to the USA, his wife informs him that they can only take what is 'absolutely essential'. Packing his collection of football programmes (1,134 of them - football fans are sticklers for statistics), Dave is aghast to be informed that the programmes do not fall into that category. He must whittle down his treasured archive to only what will fit inside a Tupperware container the size of a Dan Brown hardback. 32 Programmes tells the story of how Dave made the selection of his most important programmes, and how the process brought back a flood of nostalgia for simpler times. As the sights, sounds and smells of those 1,134 football matches return, the choices Dave makes reflect the twists and turns that life takes. Finally, with just hours to go before the flight, the container is full to the brim. One more programme will be added to the collection - one that Dave never thought he would see and which means more to him than any other. 32 Programmes is the story of youthful football obsession, crushes on disinterested girls, rubbish jobs and trying to impress skinheads. But most of all, it is the story of a man's life and loves, of family, friends and football.

Dave Roberts has been one of those annoying bike couriers, a security guard, a Civil Servant, a KFC chef who was fired for trying to steal a sample of the secret recipe, and a train driver - all before reaching the age of twenty. After that, he settled for a career in advertising, which was eventually cut short by illness, but not before accidentally winning a Silver Lion at Cannes. He now writes books, which all seem to have a theme in common- obsession ...

Funny and well-paced. The reader is in the hands of a skilled story-teller. This is not a book aimed at anoraks; it's a memoir filled with wit and emotion. * Thin White Line * A little gem... a brilliant way to reflect on his love affair with football -- Henry Winter * Daily Telegraph * Very funny in wry, Nick Hornby-esque fashion... This memoir will gain a lot of fans -- Simon Redfern * Independent on Sunday * Remarkable... A book that every woman should study, for the unique insight it offers into the impenetrable enigma of the male mind -- Jane Shilling * Daily Mail * A brilliant idea nicely executed, it's certainly the funniest sport-related read this Christmas -- Christopher Maume * Independent *