Mike Amos was for 55 years a journalist in north-east England, almost entirely on The Northern Echo, until made redundant at the age of 73. He has won more than 40 journalism awards, was named North-East Journalist of the Year seven times in 18 years, was an inaugural inductee in the Provincial Journalism Hall of Fame and in 2006 was appointed MBE for services to journalism. Born in Shildon, Co Durham, where he served as local councillor, churchwarden and parish magazine editor, he retains a lifelong passion for Shildon FC but worries over where allegiance might lie should they ever draw his other favoured club, Arsenal. For 20 years until 2016 he was chairman of the Northern Football League, the world’s second oldest, and has written or edited several books about the league. Other books include Unconsidered Trifles, a 400-page memoir of life as a “jobbing journalist.”
"""A heart-breaking but still inspiring insight into the real-life impact of the biggest issue facing the world’s biggest sport. But does football care enough about its former heroes to take sufficient action?” Jeremy Wilson, Chief Sports Reporter, The Telegraph ""What a brilliant read. Took me through every emotion from laughing and smiling to tears of true sadness. A great insight into the dark and oh so sad side of the beautiful game. A must-read, not only for the light-hearted reminiscing of football anecdotes and memories, but to learn the startling truth behind a game touching so many lives, and the devastation it can cause."" Hilary Maddren, widow of Willie Maddren, Middlesbrough player and manager who died of neurodegenerative disease ""Not just an important read for football fans, but for anyone whose life has been touched by the slowly unfolding despair of dementia."" Harry Pearson, author of The Far Corner ""No Brainer is a meticulous and moving read that exposes the cost of football’s collective failure to protect players. One day, football will thank women like Dr Judith Gates who fought to spare future generations the pain they suffered as they watched their loved ones slowly succumb to diseases like CTE."" Warren Manger, Daily Mirror “Bill and Judith Gates are the opposites who stayed attracted for more than 60 years together, but both in their very different ways have become titans in the world of football. This book is a vivid and vital account of their work together to improve the lives of footballers, young and old” Michael Aylwin, sportswriter, The Guardian 'It is beautifully written, immaculately researched and pulls no punches.' Ian Herbert, Daily Mail"