JOURNALIST Jim White has written a book about his experiences as a manager of a local boys' football team.

Mr White, a sports writer for The Daily Telegraph, is chairman of a city club which plays in the Oxford Mail Boys League.

His book, entitled You'll Win Nothing With Kids: Fathers, Sons and Football, focuses on his struggle to coach a group of teenagers, including his son Barney.

In the book the team is called Northmeadow U-14s - not the team's real name - and the players' names have been changed to protect their identities.

But Mr White said the book gave a true account of his experiences as the manager and chairman of a local boys' football team.

He said: "The names and characters have been changed to protect the innocent and guilty because I didn't want to embarrass anyone - these are young people growing up.

"Although the names and characters have been changed, some of the incidents have actually been softened from reality.

"The team itself is very much behind the book and I showed it to virtually all the parents.

"One of the messages that comes through in the book is that I think competitive sport is a good thing because of the different life lessons it can give.

"For a lot of kids nowadays everything is provided for financially, but with a sport like football you get out of it what you put in.

"You tell players that if they do their best, things will improve but that is not always the case.

"My eldest son Hugo was playing for a different team and did not enjoy it because he was being picked on.

"But the boys featured in the book were a loyal and hard-working bunch, although they certainly didn't win every game.

"My family were very supportive and liked the book a lot and I am hoping the book will have a wider appeal than just those interested in football.

"The book is about father-son relationships and one of the questions I wanted to ask is why some parents spend so much time shouting at their children?"

Mr White has worked for The Guardian, The Independent, and The Daily Telegraph and has also written Are You Watching Liverpool?, the story of Manchester United's 1993-94 season.

He was brought up in Manchester and spent many happy Saturdays on the terraces at Old Trafford after his father allowed him to switch from supporting non-league Altrincham.

  • You'll Win Nothing With Kids is being published by Little, Brown on September 6.