Hi Robins. Hope you may be in a generous mood!
I'm looking for a favour if you will, all in a good cause. On 22nd October, I launched a book: “The Rise of Forest Green Rovers – The Road to Wembley”
The reason for writing the book was severalfold. Principally to raise money for the wonderful charity of which I am proud to Chair, Gloucestershire Deaf Association but partly to tick off another entry on my bucket list! In essence, the book tells the story of a remarkable season for FGR seen and told through the opinions, tales and even poetry of supporters. Joy, angst and gallows humour aplenty.
Although never before a published author, I write for my own enjoyment and for that of my misguided friends. Prematurely retired I used to supply articles for professional magazines and sports reports for local media. More recently, I write as Rambling Man for FGR's Match Day magazine.
Celebrity supporter Jilly Cooper has been wonderfully supportive of the book. She insisted on reading the manuscript and provided a Foreword, as did Dale Vince. She attended the launch with Dale and me to sign copies for a never ending line of purchasers. Coverage in the local press, radio and TV was brilliant too.
The Rise of Forest Green Rovers is an entirely charitable venture. I have paid for publishing which was provided on a consultancy fee basis. That left me as owner and vendor of all the copies printed. All receipts from sales go to GDA with a simple deduction of £3 for my printing costs.
The reception for the book and its sales have exceeded my most optimistic projections. Just a few weeks on since the launch, about 400 copies have already been ordered/sold, including substantial take up by national and local bookshops. That amounts to net receipts of £4,000 for GDA. My initial print run of 500 should be taken up by Christmas, yielding another £1,000 or so. I'm amazed and very grateful
As I mentioned, away from 'The Beautiful Game' I am honoured to be Chair of multi-award winning local charity GDA (
http://www.gda.org.uk/), which supports Deaf People and their families in Gloucestershire, Bristol, South Gloucestershire and beyond. I myself am severely and profoundly deaf following illness which caused my early retirement in 2010. GDA has been grateful for generous help from FGR and its supporters and the Club is helping to market the book.
So that was the softening up bit, now the rub! Might you be able to recommend the book to Robins supporters?
The book is available through the GDA website, or direct from me, or from bookshops like Waterstones. If people buy from me or GDA, £10 of the purchase price of £12.99 goes to GDA, whereas the bookshop's discount means less, £5.50
Several other local clubs have bought copies and even some widespread National League ones too. Such is the fraternity of good hearted supporters
With all good wishes
Chris Gardner. Chair GDA (GDA is a registered charity no.1015937 and a company limited by guarantee no. 2692718)
