PUBLISHED SEPTEMBER 2025

Before You Go: Lower League Life and Love at the Lamex

£14.99

Paperback, 320 pages

Football, Family, Forever
The Stevenage Season

Lower-league football is a strange kind of love. The sort that sneaks up on you, seeps into your bones, and before you know it, you’re standing in the biting wind at the Lamex, scarf pulled tight, shouting encouragements you never thought would pass your lips. That’s where John Aizlewood finds himself, alongside his fourteen-year-old son Oscar, as they embark on a season-long pilgrimage with Stevenage FC. Every match, whether at home or away, in the league or cup, transforms into more than just ninety minutes; it serves as a reflection of a relationship, a depiction of a nation, and a tribute to the unique characteristics of the beautiful game, stripped of its Premier League glitz.
Their journey takes them from the raucous stands of Rotherham to the faded seaside charm of Blackpool, each town revealing something new about itself and, in turn, about father and son. Sometimes they bicker about tactics or the merits of a questionable half-time pie; sometimes they simply fall silent, watching the rain pelt down as Boro battle it out against teams with ten times their budget. They marvel at Stonehenge, stand on the grave of a queen, and lose their voices cheering on a last-minute winner at home. In the process, England – and a little corner of Wales when Wrexham comes calling – unfolds before them, one away fixture at a time.
But the essence of Before You Go lies not only in the football, but also in the relentless pace of family life. As Oscar edges towards adulthood and GCSEs, and John confronts the gentle encroachment of age, each game feels weighted with meaning. The fixture list dictates their travels, but the real journey is internal: the rituals, the banter, the long drives home in the dark, when the match is over and all that’s left is each other. Through victories, defeats, and the mundane magic of the lower leagues, they find a connection that only football – in all its muddy, pie-fuelled glory – can truly provide. This is a love letter to a club, a son, and the precious, fleeting time before life moves on.
ROYAL MAIL TRACKED 48 Delivered to You 1st Week, October 2025
Some publishers release new titles early, so our ETA above could change.
Published: September 29, 2025
Price: £14.99
Paperback: 320 pages
ISBN-10: 1836800223
ISBN-13: 978-1836800224
Dimensions: 198 x 129 (mm)
Why Pre-order?
Since 2022, we've observed that publishers often opt for smaller print runs to manage costs effectively. This process has occasionally resulted in stock shortages. We strongly recommend pre-ordering to secure your copy and avoid disappointment.

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