Loons hope book on past season will be cash sweetener

forfar: Author aims to capture essence of club and community identity

The closing chapters of Forfar Athletic’s difficult 2017-2018 season have been captured in a light-hearted book on the Loons.

Mearns author Alex Russon, who has been a regular feature on the Station Park terraces with his three children, has set out to capture the essence of the club and its strong community identity for his book, Sweet FA.

Alex, 48, a business banking manager with Barclays Bank, is hoping to score a hit with the venture which will raise funds for the club.

He started writing about Forfar Athletic in December, attending his first match with his daughter Emily, 11, and sons Freddie, 9, and Ernie, 5.

He has written similar books about two amateur teams in the West Midlands but said stepping pitch-side at Station Park felt like something of a homecoming.

Alex said: “I lived in Birmingham until three years ago before moving to

“

The book is about following a small provincial club like Forfar when you are used to following a big city club like Aston Villa. ALEX RUSSON

Laurencekirk. My mother, Joyce Sharpe, was born in Forfar and grew up in Green Street with her sister Moira and brother Charles.

“I used to visit my granny in Canmore Street so I know Forfar pretty well.

“The book is about following a small provincial club like Forfar when you are used to following a big city club like Aston Villa.”

Alex was born and raised in Birmingham but moved to Stonehaven with his family when he was 12.

He was educated at Mackie Academy before moving back to Birmingham when he was 17 to attend college.

His interest in following Forfar was sparked by a meeting with the chairman, Ken Stewart, in business circles.

“I have interviewed Ken for the book, as well as Marc Mccallum, the keeper, who is from Forfar,” he said.

“Also featured is David Mcgregor, a director for dozens of years who has only missed about 20 games in 50 years; he is Forfar through and through.”

Club chaplain Brian Mulraine makes an appearance in the book, along with Ian Mcphee, the longest-serving player, Forfar Farmington chairman Colin Brown and groundsman Martin Gray.

The book will be on sale at the start of next season, with all proceeds going to Forfar Athletic Football Club.

Picture: Paul Reid. Mearns author Alex Russon has been a regular feature on the Station Park terraces with his three children.