'Gladiators on Tour and other footballing stories', written by Causeway Lane’s ground MC John Lawton has now sold 450 copies, raising £1000 for Matlock Town Supporters’ Club in the process.
There are now only 50 copies left and the profits from all the remaining books will be donated to John’s favourite charity WaterAid. The charity has already acknowledged a first donation of £100 and John is hoping to double this if all the remaining copies sell.
The 128-page book, with photographs from our own Andy Duffin and Jan and Jereon Vrins of the Delft Gladiators Fan Club in Holland, is available from Matlock Town Club Shop, the Gladiators Social Club and several local retail outlets in Matlock. These include Bridge News (on the bridge!) and Peak Delights on Steep Turnpike, as well as the Tourist Information Offices in Matlock. In Cromford it is still available at Scarthin Books and the Bookshop at Cromford Mill. In Bakewell it is available at the Bakewell Bookshop near the roundabout.
The book can also be purchased securely online using PayPal via http://www.freewebs.com/matlockfc/gladiatorsontour.htm
John would like to thank everyone who has bought a book to date.
Book Launched
Matlock Town season-ticket holder and Supporters' Club Committee member, John Lawton, has written and published a new book charting Matlock Town's successful 2006-2007 season.
'Gladiators on Tour and other footballing stories' is John's account of his own season, watching 105 games in total. These included many neutral games as he went ground hopping, as well as following Chesterfield's troubled season when he could.
Light-hearted but informative, the book is brilliantly brought to life with action photographs from Matlock Town stalwart Andrew Duffin. Shots of Ian Holmes, Simon Barraclough, Gary Webster and others sit alongside Alex Lawton's photographs of his dad's mug collection - making this a real family affair.
The book also has tables showing all the games John went to in detail as well as a list of all the grounds, league and non-league that he has ever visited.
The book is a must-buy for any genuine football fan who has a love of the game and is not dazzled by the bright lights of the Premiership.
All proceeds from the book go to Matlock Town Supporters' Club, with 20% of the profits after printing and production costs going to John's favourite charity, WaterAid. The reasons for this will become obvious when you read some of his anecdotes in the book!
The book sells for £6 and is available from Matlock Town's Club Shop on Causeway Lane or direct from John at Fairfield 24 Imperial Road, Matlock, Derbyshire, DE4 3NL. Please add £1 for postage and packaging. Cheques made payable to John Lawton. If you prefer to buy online using Pay Pal please visit Alex Lawton's website at:
http://www.freewebs.com/matlockfc/gladiatorsontour.htm
The book was launched at the Whitby Town home game on Saturday 25th August 2007.
"Entertaining and well written … slickly produced with lots of black and white images" - Groundtastic Magazine.
"A very engaging read, taking a wry rather than anorakish look at the game from the grassroots to the very top" - Matlock Mercury.
‘A real football book, written by a real football fan’ – Prescot Cables’ Online Blog.
‘Fantastic’ – Shaun Smith, 100 Grounds Club Manager.
