Paul Holland has written a book with a difference, penning the life story of a lower league footballer and not just his playing career.
The 35-year-old’s career was cut cruelly short at the age of 29 after 300 plus games for Mansfield,
Sheffield United,
Chesterfield and
Bristol City.
However, that doesn’t tell half the story as Holland was a regular member of England’s Under 18 and Under 21 squads alongside a certain David Beckham. He is still the only Mansfield player in the history of the club to have won England Under 21 honours whilst at Field Mill.
Holland also undertook the role of youth team coach, assistant manager and manager at Mansfield before parting company with the club in July 2008 after their demotion to the Blue Square Premier League.
Givemefootball’s Ian Clarkson spoke exclusively to Holland about his warts’n’all book ‘Talking Double Dutch.’
Q: Why did you decide to write a book about your life?
A: I had lost my job at Mansfield Town and was in the middle of applying for others, so I had a bit of spare time on my hands. My wife, Clare, and I had discussed it previously and she said ‘who don’t you go for it?’
If you had asked me a year ago then I would have laughed at the idea, but it made more sense the more we spoke about it and the idea went from strength to strength. It has taken me about 15 months to finish but I am glad Clare persuaded me to do it.
Q: It isn't just about your playing career though is it?
A: From day one I said I didn’t want it just to be a book about my football career. The book starts from when I got my first pair of football boots as a three-year-old, so there is plenty of stories in there that aren’t just around being a lower league footballer.
The first few chapters are about my school life, family and upbringing, about representing my school, my county and the England Under 18s and then going full time at Mansfield Town.
Q: What is the book called and where can we buy it?
A: It is called 'Talking Double Dutch' as my nickname was ‘Dutch’ for obvious reasons when I played. I am promoting it as a book of the life story of a lower league player, coach and manager and you can buy it in WH Smiths and Waterstones.
More from Paul and his life in football here on Givemefootball tomorrow.
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