Inform us a bit about your second guide and the way you got here up with the concept?
Foul and Truthful is a thriller set on the planet of children’ grassroots soccer: an below 12s coach will get right into a feud with one other supervisor, and the rivalry escalates right into a succession of soiled tips – Roy of the Rovers meets Home of Playing cards was the vibe I used to be going for.
I managed a youngsters’ staff for seven years, and in addition to seeing loads of volunteers who had been giving up hours and hours of time for the sake of the youngsters, I additionally noticed too many coaches who wished to make all of it about themselves, appearing as if it was the Premier League.
The guide is about when these two views collide, about discovering the road between doing the fitting factor and getting the fitting end result. Though it’s about youngsters’ soccer, it’s not a youngsters’s guide – it’s written for adults (it’s a bit sweary at occasions).
Was it tougher or simpler to put in writing this guide than the primary one?
In a single sense, a lot tougher; it actually took longer. I really wrote this one earlier than Useless Man Singing, however I knew that I hadn’t bought it proper but. Whereas Useless Man Singing was within the technique of being printed, I used to be transforming Foul and Truthful.
Figuring out what was unsuitable with the unique model was comparatively easy; figuring out easy methods to put it proper took loads longer. I had a couple of false begins and lifeless ends, however as soon as I stumble on including a second character, Hayley, to share the main target of the guide with James the soccer coach, every thing began to fall into place.
She’s a single mum and a police officer, and the way in which her story regularly intertwines with James’ makes all of the distinction. I’m actually happy with the place I’ve ended up with this one, even when it was a variety of work to get there.
The story is about an U12s coach, however how a lot of the storyline is drawn out of your experiences at MAN v FAT Bournemouth?
Not a lot, to be sincere! The unique model of the story was written earlier than I began with MAN v FAT, though the Hayley revisions got here since. The membership has left a few marks on the guide although.
One among our gamers is a police officer, and he was an enormous assist for me in making Hayley’s work experiences ring true. There’s additionally a minor character within the guide who is known as after one other of our gamers. For a wide range of causes, I simply couldn’t discover the fitting identify for that character, and I all of a sudden realised that it was proper there on the membership web site all alongside.
I requested him if he minded me utilizing it and, fortunately, he agreed. If any of the lads from Bournemouth wish to know which of their friends has made it into print, they’ll simply have to purchase the guide and skim it – I feel they’ll recognise him within the character too, though it wasn’t initially based mostly on him.
Though there’s nothing in Foul and Truthful to do with weight-loss, there’s lots in there in regards to the worth of soccer for wellbeing, notably for kids. There’s additionally loads of soccer motion that can enchantment to anybody who loves the sport; anybody with reminiscences of children’ soccer, both as a participant themselves, as a coach, or as a guardian, will discover a lot within the guide that resonates with their expertise.
I believe that the overwhelming majority of MAN v FAT gamers fall into no less than a type of classes, so I’m hoping that a lot of individuals in our neighborhood will actually benefit from the guide.
What has the preliminary suggestions been to the guide?
It’s very early days but, however to this point so good! Overview copies are nonetheless being despatched out, however I managed to get superior copies of the guide to a few individuals within the soccer world: Martin Dighton, previously with Dorset FA and now Senior Coach Developer at Teaching UK, and Richard Dobson, who was Gareth Ainsworth’s assistant supervisor at QPR and Wycombe.
They’ve each given glowing endorsements, praising the guide for authentically capturing the world of grassroots soccer, for the general message about placing youngsters first, and for being an incredible, enjoyable learn.
You may see their quotes in full at https://stevecouch.co.uk/books/bwopx5ob3pvdrgme/foul-and-fair/
Useless Man Singing bought some improbable reader evaluations as soon as it was out on the planet, so I’m hoping that Foul and Truthful will observe in its footsteps.
You’re coming to the nationwide match – how a lot are you trying ahead to assembly extra of the neighborhood? And the way a lot will the guide value them to purchase?
I’m actually trying ahead to it. In addition to promoting books, I’m hoping I’ll be capable of watch among the soccer and to talk with MAN v FAT gamers from throughout the nation. I’ve been concerned with MAN v FAT for 2 and a half years now and I like the heat and the sense of assist that everybody has for each other.
It’s genuinely top-of-the-line issues I’ve ever been concerned with and I’m very proud to have a small half in one thing that adjustments so many lives for the higher.
The books retail at £9.99 every, and I’ll be doing a particular provide for the match: if somebody buys Foul and Truthful and Useless Man Singing collectively, I can do the pair at £16. However whether or not somebody needs to purchase books or not, I’d love for individuals to come back and discover my bookstall and have a chat.
Please do search out Steve on the match, we’re positive he’d be glad to talk to you!
