DAVID Stocks played professional football in a bygone era – one before agents, multi-million-pound contracts and global TV deals were prevalent.
In The Shadows tells the story of his life, from his early days as a sought-after youngster for London schoolboys, to his debut for Charlton Athletic against Liverpool, where he pitted his abilities against the likes of Roger Hunt and Ian Callaghan.
After a season at Gillingham, he went on to star for Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic – later to become AFC Bournemouth, as we know them today – where he experienced both relegation and promotion while captaining the Cherries for a number of years.
Upon finishing his career at Torquay United, he returned to Dorset, where he became a fixture on the local non-league circuit for the likes of Wimborne Town and Parley, all the while forging a successful second career in financial services.
David’s story is an exciting recollection of time spent playing with and alongside the game’s greats while not quite managing to reach their level, and is essential reading for those who fondly recall football as it was in the 1960s and 70s.
The book is edited by Steve Wright, who said: “Having lived next door to David for a number of years, it was a great privilege to be able to assist him commit the story of his life to the page.
“I hope anyone who buys this book will enjoy reading it as much as I did helping him to put it together.”
In The Shadows, published by Troubador, is available to pre-order from Waterstones, WH Smith and Troubador’s website, priced at £12.99, for release on June 28, 2023.
If you would like to get hold of a copy sooner, follow and direct message Steve Wright on his Twitter account, @stevewright22 for more details.
All profits from sale of the book will be donated to Alzheimer’s UK.
I and all who purchased a copy of the 1973 Hurn Court School photograph can see David Stocks with our own eyes. I wonder if this part of his life ever gets a mention in his autobiography.