A FOOTBALL-MAD dad has penned his memoirs about following Ipswich Town at home and abroad to raise money for a good cause.

Graeme Brooke of Malthouse Road in Manningtree, has been following Town since 1974, and has finally managed to get his Fever Pitch-style novel – Adventures of a Tractor Boy - on the shelves.

Money raised from sales will go towards the Special Care Baby Unit at Colchester General hospital where his 8-year-old daughter Leah stayed when she was born 8 weeks premature.

“When Leah was born the staff there were absolutely fantastic and I have always wanted to do something to raise money for them,” said Mr Brooke.

“It was painful to leave her and my wife Sharon but she is now very healthy and a Junior Blue herself so it all worked out well.

“Most of the book is based before I had two daughters, a wife and a mortgage but I still have a season ticket to this day.

“My favourite ever memory is travelling via train to the south of France to see them hammer Saint-Etienne 4-1 in the UEFA Cup in 1981 and I also went to the final in Amsterdam where they beat AZ.

“I had to take all my holiday from work to go but it was definitely worth it."

The book is available to purchase at amazon.co.uk/dp/1499350570?tag=infiniplusthe-21 or in the Kindle store.