A FOOTBALL fan has penned a book about his experiences leading the country’s biggest Manchester City supporters club.

Prestwich-born Don Price spent his youth playing football in local parks and supporting Manchester City Football Club before joining the Navy at the tender age of 15.

The father-of-two left the armed forces to work in drugs and alcohol services at Prestwich Hospital and went on to start up the Prestwich and Whitefield branch of the Manchester City Supporters Club – which became the largest in the country with more than 2,000 members.

Since passing on responsibility for leading the club 10 years ago, Mr Price began writing his book A Football Fan’s Story: The Royal Navy Manchester City and Me.

The book includes his experiences with the supporters club and history about Whitefield and Prestwich and connections to the multi-million pound football team.

Mr Price, who lives with his wife Catherine in Barlow Road, Radcliffe, said: “I started my book writing about the area and the connections to MCFC.

"I've mentioned about the Hillock estate, Heaton Park, St Mary's Park — all the places I used to play football as a child.

"I joined the Navy at 15 and it was hard to follow City after that.

"It became easier as I got older to keep up with the club and watch matches."

Mr Price hoped to be able to write a short story about his time in the Navy while trying to follow the football and his time with the Prestwich and Whitefield branch of the Manchester City Supporters Club, which used to meet at Heaton Park Working Men’s Club.

He added: "I thought I would be able to write maybe 240 pages and I ended up writing 460. I was laughing thinking the only thing I've written is a post card, I never imagined publishing a book.

"What motivated me was that I read lots of books about the Navy or about football but I had never read a book about football and the armed forces.

"I thought I have a bit of a story to tell about following the football while in the Navy, so gave writing a whirl.

"The supporters club was the largest in the country and I was sad to give it up 10 years ago but it was heading in a different direction so it was the right time to let it go.

"I had a vision of holding meetings and youngsters coming along to watch matches and support City.

"It just became too big and people came with different ideas and visions for the club."