Wales defied sporting logic when during the Euros, staged in France in 2016, they inexplicably reached the semi finals. A nation erupted - patriotism reached new bounds: a branding exercise no tourist board could ever account for, a feel good factor that spread like a dragons wing across a principality, so often in the shadows of its English neighbour, unexpectedly grabbing the international spotlight. This is the simple story of two friends who journeyed to watch their team, simply expecting some fun, the once in a generation opportunity to watch their nation at a sporting event but who incredibly ended up against all odds, watching their team reach the semi finals.
Published by Don Hale’s Coast and Country publishing house this is a story that extends beyond football: a commentary if you like upon modern society, social media, political upheaval back in the UK: hilarious anecdotes – being an imposter at a Mickey Thomas Testimonial, a chance encounter with a Russian Supermodel, eating turkey sandwiches with an international rock star, an Indian Yogi obsessed with Joe Allen, a talking cat found on a French train, all against the backdrop of often comical attempts to navigate Wacky Races style around France. A read for Welsh and non Welsh, football fans and non football fans, Please Don't Take Me Home is a story of a four week spell in June 2016 where a football team from a 'Peninsula on the Edge of England' brought together a nation and more importantly, a realisation that if you dare to dream, believe and work hard enough - anything is possible. St Asaph born Andrew Foley Jones was raised in the North Wales coastal town of Prestatyn and has since, whilst living in various areas of the U.K. retained a strong feeling of Welshness, still holding a season ticket for his beloved Wrexham FC, crossing the border from Chester where he now lives, rarely missing a home game. A columnist for magazine and newspaper, he had his first work of fiction, 'Seductive Amoebae' published in 2008, followed by the cryptically titled 'Starbucks Ate My Lobster' in 2013. In his recent Daily Post column, he summed up what it means to support a football team: “"Football is in the blood, in our soul. It is part of our lives, it can determine, often subliminally our mood, our productivity. It's a major part of our DNA, it's part of what makes us what we are." Please Don’t Take Me Home is available in both paperback and as a digital download.
Published by Don Hale’s Coast and Country publishing house this is a story that extends beyond football: a commentary if you like upon modern society, social media, political upheaval back in the UK: hilarious anecdotes – being an imposter at a Mickey Thomas Testimonial, a chance encounter with a Russian Supermodel, eating turkey sandwiches with an international rock star, an Indian Yogi obsessed with Joe Allen, a talking cat found on a French train, all against the backdrop of often comical attempts to navigate Wacky Races style around France. A read for Welsh and non Welsh, football fans and non football fans, Please Don't Take Me Home is a story of a four week spell in June 2016 where a football team from a 'Peninsula on the Edge of England' brought together a nation and more importantly, a realisation that if you dare to dream, believe and work hard enough - anything is possible. St Asaph born Andrew Foley Jones was raised in the North Wales coastal town of Prestatyn and has since, whilst living in various areas of the U.K. retained a strong feeling of Welshness, still holding a season ticket for his beloved Wrexham FC, crossing the border from Chester where he now lives, rarely missing a home game. A columnist for magazine and newspaper, he had his first work of fiction, 'Seductive Amoebae' published in 2008, followed by the cryptically titled 'Starbucks Ate My Lobster' in 2013. In his recent Daily Post column, he summed up what it means to support a football team: “"Football is in the blood, in our soul. It is part of our lives, it can determine, often subliminally our mood, our productivity. It's a major part of our DNA, it's part of what makes us what we are." Please Don’t Take Me Home is available in both paperback and as a digital download.
