Shropshire Star

Telford man Jim Heath writes Wolves book

Travelling to matches on the Telford Wolves Supporters Club coaches has taken on a new meaning for Jim Heath.

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Travelling to matches on the Telford Wolves Supporters Club coaches has taken on a new meaning for Jim Heath.

The lifelong Molineux fanatic, from Priorslee, is a home and away fan of the Barclays Premier League club and will be a nervous spectator at Sunday's televised home game against Sunderland.

But match-day is a different experience altogether at present as he also uses meetings with friends en route to the stadium to boost sales of his newly-published first book, Wolves In 20/20 Vision.

"It came out two or three weeks ago and I've been thrilled by the start we've had with the sales," said the 53-year-old former Phoenix School, Dawley, pupil who works in sales and marketing at Telford College.

"I suppose it's fairly rare for a fan to write a book about the club they love and I must say my fellow fans have been incredibly supportive.

"I used to write regular columns in the A Load of Bull fanzine and the supporter community at the club has been very kind in backing my first venture into books.

Obviously, it helps with Christmas approaching – at £9.99, it's an ideal price for a present."

It's very much a local publication with the front and back cover pictures by David Bagnall and design courtesy of Robert Johnston – both of them resident in the area – and the whole project has been pulled together by Thomas Publications, from Newport.

"We had the idea of coming up with my favourite Wolves games, my favourite goals and my favourite signings, as well as one or two less celebrated things like the biggest Molineux controversies and the club's biggest transfer blunders," Jim added.

"As we seemed to have a similar number in each category, we decided to go for 20 entries under each heading – and 20 chapters in all.

"As I'm also a keen cricket fan, Wolves In 20/20 Vision struck us as a catchy title.

"I think it has made people curious anyway, until they pick up on the theme of the book!

"There has always been a strong Shropshire element to Wolves through the likes of Billy Wright and Johnny Hancocks and with other ex-players such as Bert Williams, Steve Bull and Derek Parkin living this way.

"The club are also blessed with terrific support in and around Telford, as I have known since I first started catching the coach from here to games in the 1970s."

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