BLADDERFULS — a kicker takes a shot!

Travel back to the 1980s to discover this easy-going narrative about an old-school soccer player who finds he must transform himself into a fearless fighter-adventurer in his efforts to persuade the arcane football regulatory body, the FA, to espouse his non-competitive football concept for younger players.

Bladderfuls is out on December 2nd 2024. Author Neil Mach: ASIN B0DKZ8JQ2G

After a coach-sanctioned harsh tackle in 1962, Mickey Clarke, who was perhaps one of the best football players of his day, suffered a serious injury that prevented him from playing professionally.

In the late 1980s, Clarke created a secure and enjoyable mini-league football format for children aged six to nine, featuring six-aside games at his home town ground at Staines Town, Middlesex. Clarke approached the Football Association, hoping to improve the national game and attract fresh players at a young age, urging them to consider his proposal and acknowledge his accomplishments.

The football regulating body did not overlook his efforts. But  rather than assisting him, they undermined his plans, mocked and threatened him, and disparaged his achievements. Ultimately, they appropriated his concept and sold it to one of the wealthiest corporations in the world.

According to Mickey Clarke, the main character in the Bladderfuls narrative, this is a true account of how the institution that was established to safeguard fair play on the pitches dropped the ball and botched the game!

Bladderfuls accurately depicts the difficulties and repercussions of taking on an institution that is so esoterically obscure that it becomes impossible to determine what its true objectives might be, or fathom its motives.

To protect the 'main players' involved in this light-hearted football history, the novel incorporates fictional names, characters, companies, places, events, and incidents.

Bladderfuls —when the bastions of fair play bungled the ball—is out December 2nd 2024. Author Neil Mach: ASIN B0DKZ8JQ2G