It at first seemed like an odd place to launch a book about football life in England. A half-moon shone reflected in the light swell of the Pacific Ocean as it moved almost silently onto a curve of golden sand with light reflected foam waves. A beach-side surfclub, 21st C architecture and furnishings, far from the muddy fields and crumbling houses of the (fictional) town of Bentham. At least they served beer! Australia's glorious evening of 16 November 2005 playing on the big screens at least brought football into the ambience.

(The book can be purchased on-line and at good booksellers)

When you think about it, the modern home of football in Australia is in these sort of localities ... where the young (and old bastards like Adrian Deans) kept off off the beach by winter chills ply the dusty playing fields dreaming of the English Premier League. The link is just so obvious! I bought my copy, $A34.95 on the night; but alas will have put it away for a rainy day to read right through its 525 pages - a book review in waiting I am afraid!

(Central Coast Mariners FC former coach Lawrie McKinna speaking at the launch)

It was also appropriate that Central Coast Mariners FC former coach Lawrie McKinna spoke at length at the launch about the dream of playing professional football, and the tough road it can be. He also mentioned the importance of ball control, but only those at the launch will understand how that fits in!

In the foreword he says "Sometimes dream can come true .." That was true of Lawrie, and of Mr Cleansheets, but equally of Adrian Deans whose love of football and dream of writing come together in this novel.

A crowd of near to 130 flocked to be part of the launch, including his mum (who stressed to me and Lawrie, and I'm sure to others, that she doesn't like the swearing the characters use), and his team-mates in the Avoca FC 'Gummysharks' - and that augurs well for the sales of the book out there in Australia's 21st century football loving community.

(A very good crowd in for the launch)

By Chris Dunkerley from the launch at Avoca Beach - 21 April, 2010
(Extracts used from Booktopia's Mr Cleansheets pages)

Photos: Chris Dunkerley for BOTN

The book:
"Eric Judd is 39 and his girlfriend wants him to give up playing football. Eric (aka Mr Cleansheets) is a goalkeeping legend at his amateur Sydney club because in his youth he received a letter inviting him to trial with Manchester United. The letter said to come when you're ready” - and six days before his 40th birthday, Eric is finally ready. Inspired by the dying wish of his Uncle Jimmy, Eric travels to England, but does not quite receive the welcome he had hoped for. Instead, he encounters all manner of villains: murderous football hooligans, Irish mafia, dodgy football agents, beautiful pop stars, international terrorists and a range of supporting players with any number of overt and hidden agendas. He also plays football."

The author:
"Adrian Deans is a 50-year-old lawyer who used to play football for the legendary Dartford Town Sewer Pigs and still plays (for the mighty Avoca FC Gummysharks). He grew up in Sydney, but has worked in London and is well steeped in football culture.Mr Cleansheets is his third novel and blends his love of football with his natural inclination for making up bollocks. He lives on the Central Coast of NSW with his wife Karen, supports the Socceroos, Gunners and Mariners, but accepts that it is not entirely unreasonable for readers of Mr Cleansheets to follow other clubs . . .As long as they follow Bentham United, yeah?"

More information: (including access to Chapter 1, and video)
http://www.mrcleansheets.com

Purchasing on-line:
http://www.booktopia.com.au