MIKE Padgett has released his third novel and Barnsley Women’s FC have helped him launch it.

He first hit the Chronicle headlines in the 1970s when he and two friends travelled around Australia in a camper van - culminating in his first book release in 2021.

The Athersley North man then released SCRAP in 2023 - and he’s just released his third.

Kicking Off is a story of a football match between a women’s team of young care workers and a pub team of middle-aged men, back together after 30 years.

The story behind the new novel came about when one of Mike’s relatives was diagnosed with dementia and had to go into a care home.

Mike saw first-hand how low paid care workers, mainly young women, some from foreign countries, showed great dedication and skill in looking after the residents.

Mike would then drive to a pub a few miles from the care home and mix with long-time good friends, like his old footballing colleagues from his days as a pub footballer, and often find himself drawn into sexist and racist conversations.

The contrast between the hear-warming world of carers and the deep-rooted ‘banter’ of the pub scene was stark.

That’s where the plot for the novel came from.

Mike launched the book alongside Barnsley Women’s Football Club last week.

He said: “It was training night for Barnsley Women’s FC and a great evening it was.

“We talked about Kes and I told them about the football scene.

“The bit where Mr Sugden ignores my offer to take the penalty and decides he’s going to take it instead.

“My team mates shout ‘let Padgett take it’ but Mr Sugden turns his back on me.

“It was bad luck again on Tuesday - none of the players or staff would let me take a penalty.”

Mike will host a book signing at the Book Vault on August 23 from 10am to 12pm.