From The 'Troubles' to The Tower

This is the story of a Northern Irish kid who dreamed of a life away from trouble torn Belfast and who went on to enjoy a successful professional football career both at home and abroad. After starting his fledgling career with Crusaders in Northern Ireland `Snowball moved to England and after a frustrating spell at Oldham Athletic became a firm fans favourite at Bury Blackpool and Southend United. Despite never playing in English footballs top-flight Derek found fame as an international footballer of some repute sharing a dressing room with footballing greats such as George Best and Pat Jennings and starring in some of Northern Irelands most memorable matches of the 1970s and early 1980s. This is the tale of one of Northern Irelands most popular footballing sons charting his journey through the English lower divisions his 1982 World Cup heartbreak and spells playing abroad in Greece and Hong Kong. The somewhat unique nature of his footballing career is only part of the story as Derek went on to experience a diverse post-footballing life which this book covers in colourful and fascinating detail. This is a book which any football fan or ex playing colleague will enjoy as will his many friends.