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A Love Letter to Football: From the Terraces to a Transplant and Back Again
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.
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.
285 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 2, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
December 24, 2025
I wasn’t sure if this was a 4 or 5 star review but opted for the higher mark because the good outweighed the not so good by quite a margin.
The book chronicles the life of the author through the prism of his home town football club, Middlesbrough, his battle with cancer unsurprisingly taking centre stage.
A few downs, particularly the detail of, it seemed, every player who ever turned out for The Brough, along with descriptions of the many, many ups and downs throughout the years. All fair enough but slightly overdone maybe.
Much more to like though. The ups and downs of supporting a team of Middlesbrough’s stature very much ring true as does the clubs link to his home town, his childhood and family. The way that going to a match gave him relief from the worries of his health troubles, albeit only for a short moment or two when Middlesbrough scored. Many other family linked examples when it was impossible not to be moved.
The book chronicles the life of the author through the prism of his home town football club, Middlesbrough, his battle with cancer unsurprisingly taking centre stage.
A few downs, particularly the detail of, it seemed, every player who ever turned out for The Brough, along with descriptions of the many, many ups and downs throughout the years. All fair enough but slightly overdone maybe.
Much more to like though. The ups and downs of supporting a team of Middlesbrough’s stature very much ring true as does the clubs link to his home town, his childhood and family. The way that going to a match gave him relief from the worries of his health troubles, albeit only for a short moment or two when Middlesbrough scored. Many other family linked examples when it was impossible not to be moved.
October 17, 2023
It doesn't really matter what football team you support (though mine's Crystal Palace), if you've got an interest in the game you'll get plenty of enjoyment from this heartwarming and engaging memoir about one man's love for Middlesbrough FC.
One thing I especially enjoyed was that it got me thinking about my own formative experiences and obsessions as a fan. I was particularly thrilled to read about one ancient game (Palace v Boro, 1979) which I actually attended when, as a kid, my dad started taking me with him to Selhurst Park.
The author doesn't shrink from the personal challenges he's had along the way including bullying, mental health issues and - more prominent as the book progresses - a cancer diagnosis but these prove just as compelling as the many football-related trials, tribulations and very occasional triumphs.
I've seen one journalist compare this book to Fever Pitch and I think that's more than reasonable but as this book is an ode to a slightly unfashionable club like my own I found it even more relatable. Recommended.
One thing I especially enjoyed was that it got me thinking about my own formative experiences and obsessions as a fan. I was particularly thrilled to read about one ancient game (Palace v Boro, 1979) which I actually attended when, as a kid, my dad started taking me with him to Selhurst Park.
The author doesn't shrink from the personal challenges he's had along the way including bullying, mental health issues and - more prominent as the book progresses - a cancer diagnosis but these prove just as compelling as the many football-related trials, tribulations and very occasional triumphs.
I've seen one journalist compare this book to Fever Pitch and I think that's more than reasonable but as this book is an ode to a slightly unfashionable club like my own I found it even more relatable. Recommended.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews