Book charts Latics fan's exploits in 1970
A book by a Scots-based Latics fan about his days in Wigan is set to hit the shop shelves.
Ken Barlow lived in the town from the age of 10 to 17 and has never lost touch with the place since due to his love of its football team.
A diary he wrote as a teenager prompted his book called 'Mild and Bitter Were the Days' which follows his exploits through every day of 1970.
The diary, which includes his experiences as a bullying victim but also following the exploits of the Latics in their lower division days, forms the basis of the book with explanatory text from the adult Ken.
Have you any great Latics memories? Leave your comments below ...
The 55-year-old was born in Manchester and while in Wigan attended St Michael's Primary School in Swinley and Gidlow Boys' Secondary Modern, both of which have long been demolished.
His father's job took him first to Newcastle, and latterly he has been
working as a mental health nurse in Dumfries.
But he has never lost touch with Wigan and tries to get to several home and away games each season.
The married grandfather said: "When I first went to see the Latics in the 1964-65 season they were in the Cheshire League and I loved it because it reminded me of those football stories in comics like Hotspur and Victor which always had a run-down little club with only a small fan base.
"You could wander round the ground and buy a pie and chat to your mates during the game and, of course, all that has changed now.
"I suppose my feelings are coloured by nostalgia and while I am pleased that the Latics have done well in recent years, I do think the club itself has become rather more depersonalised and from an aesthetic point of view I'm not that keen on the stadium either!
"But that has not stopped me supporting the club which plays its part in the book.
"I don't know why I kept such a detailed diary as a teenager and some of it is, of course, embarrassing now you look back at it, but I abridged and serialised some of it in the Mudhutters' fanzine a while ago and it got a good response."
Mr Barlow is publishing the 70,000-word book himself which is due to be launched in August.
He says it covers typical adolescent issues such as exams, school bullying, the local music scene, girls, finding work and learning to drink alcohol.
He added: "The constant thread throughout the book is my devotion to Wigan Athletic FC and includes an exclusive interview with the then manager, Gordon Milne."
The book will be available in Wigan bookstores priced 9.99.
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