A Love Letter to Football: From the Terraces to a Transplant and Back Again

by Mark Davies

A Love Letter to Football is the story of how the beautiful game, from the litter-strewn pitches of the grassroots to packed stadiums at the top of the sport, can help carry us through our darkest days. In 2016, Mark Davies was diagnosed with a rare and incurable blood cancer. A lifelong supporter of Middlesbrough Football Club, his devotion to the club and passion for a game so cherished by billions of people has been essential in helping him navigate the uncertainty of diagnosis and treatment. It’s been a fundamental part of his life in other ways too, from dealing with depression to fatherhood, not to mention some of the trials and tribulations of life’s broader challenges.This honest, funny and entertaining account of a life-changing experience, love for a football club and the way the game has been a bedrock throughout his life underlines that football may not be more important than life and death, but the joy and ecstasy it can bring – even for a Middlesbrough fan – really can help when times are hard.

288 pages, Paperback

Published September 4, 2023

Reviews

[Annalisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brilliantly written, with passion for the beautiful game of football as well as a journey to remission. Vivid descriptions of places I have lived, a school I went to and a football ground I spend a lot of time at, this was an easy read. Packed with football references as expected, facts and recollections I learned from. Loved it!