Paul Holland - Talking Double Dutch

Author: Paul Holland

Paul Holland - Talking Double Dutch

When Paul Holland’s wife, Clare, first suggested he write a book he was a bit reluctant. After all he wasn't one of football's superstars, mainly plying his trade around the lower leagues. He was even unsure exactly where to begin his story. As we know, it is best to start at the beginning, so Paul Holland has done exactly that. Talking Double Dutch is his story, from beginning to end.
Talking Double Dutch starts with his very first pair of football boots – to his U21 England appearance in the same team as David Beckham – ending with Paul’s short-lived career in management.
Like Garry Nelson's 'Left Foot Forward' this is the story of the life of a journeyman footballer whose career is best remembered at Mansfield Town, but whose greatest day came when as part of third division's Chesterfield team he took on Middlesbrough's international line-up in the 1997 FA Cup semi-final, possibly the greatest semi-final in the last 20 years. With a team including a young Kevin Davies, Chesterfield took a 2-0 lead, only to go 3-2 behind late in the second half. Against all the odds and with minutes to go the Spireites took the game to a reply.
Paul returned to Mansfield as coach, after spells at Sheffield Utd and Bristol City, and was at the club through the end of the Keith Haslam era. Paul eventually became manager for a brief spell which culminated in relegation from the football league. This book tells the story of this time. Although at the moment he is not working in professional football, once you have been a part of the game it is very hard not to miss it.
Paul's story is not just about his time on the pitch, but about the characters that he was fortunate enough to meet along the way. In Talking Double Dutch he gives the reader an insight into the world of lower league football.Writing the book has been an emotional journey for Paul that has helped him gain closure on his football career which ended when he was just twenty seven years old.