In 2016 we published Football’s Coming Out by Neil Beasley. In the book, Neil tells honestly of the pains of growing up gay in the sport and fighting for his right to enjoy the game he loves without prejudice. It was longlisted for the William Hill Sports Book of the Year. We caught up with Neil to find out what makes him tick.

  • What’s your background?

I’m an emergency service worker really. I started out with the police on the front line and then moved to the ambulance service where I spent nine years. I currently work as a traffic officer. I absolutely love helping people and the thrill of exciting work.

  • How did you get into writing?
I sent a tweet to Ian Ridley. I told him how much I enjoyed his book and gave him an idea I had for my own. It kinda snowballed from there fairly rapidly.
  • Who inspires you?
People who achieve against all of the odds. Driven people with dreams. There are too many to mention.
  • How did you find the process of writing a book?
Pretty daunting at first but to be honest it’s a laugh and that’s what kept me with it. If I enjoy things I work hard at them. It’s eye-opening also. You don’t realise what things meant to you until you start speaking about them to a stranger.
  • Most important person in your life?
My husband, David. Quite fond of my cats also but it’s best I mention David first.
  • Favourite book?
Floodlit Dreams by Ian Ridley. This book inspired me to the chairmanship of Birmingham blaze. I drop back into it all the time just to read a chapter or two. I’m lucky as the author signed it for me 🙂
  • Favourite film?
Notting Hill, just love it.
  • Favourite sporting team and athlete?
The Sky Blues of Coventry City. I adore them. Alan Shearer is my favourite athlete though. Beast of a player and his goals record speaks for itself.
  • What is your most important piece of advice for anyone writing a book?
Enjoy it. Make sure the time is right for you so that you can be honest with yourself, but most of all work with people you get on with and have a laugh. Without my relationship with Seth it never would have gotten off the ground.
  • What’s next?
I have many ideas and would love to do another book project when the times right and I can convince Seth to work with me again. We did try again but it didn’t quite work out. Fingers crossed for the future.
You can keep up to date with Neil by following him on social media at twitter.com/Neil_Beasley.