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At last, it’s up the Dale. After a record 36 years in the
basement division of the Football League, Rochdale AFC finally won
promotion in the 2009/10
season. The underdog of English football had their day in the sun
and with them at every kick was lifelong fan and acclaimed writer,
Mark Hodkinson.
Devotees endured years of defeats and jibes and misery until the
management team of Keith Hill and David Flitcroft built their promotion-winning
squad. Hodkinson brings wry and penetrating insights into a momentous
season, while pondering on family ties and loyalty, the passion
and philosophy of football support.
Other matters football – from Hodkinson’s pieces first
published in The Times - include interviews with Paul Gascoigne;
Colin Bell and Mike Doyle of Manchester City; the irrepressible
Stuart Hall; the late comic Bernard Manning; Barry Hines of Kes
fame, plus a range of topics from cortisone use to racism in football,
from sport finance to the perils of being a football reporter. And,
of course, Subbuteo.
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| What
the papers say | MarkHodkinson.com
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