An award-winning writer said he was "overjoyed" to be launching his new autobiography detailing his life as a football fan.

Paul Hodgson launched his latest work, titled 'For The Love Of Darlo', at the Dolphin Centre in Darlington this week.

Mr Hodgson, who is from Darlington, was left heavily disabled after suffering from meningitis aged seven months. He has closely followed the fortunes of his beloved football club throughout his life.

His new book relays his struggles, school experiences, relationship with his father, unyielding support from his mother, and of course, his deep-rooted adoration for Darlington FC, known as the Quakers.

During his book launch, surrounded by former Darlington players, Mr Hodgson said: "I'm overjoyed with so many people turning up. It's been a really good day."

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Despite being focus for most of his writing, there is much more to this book than just the football club.

Mr Hodgson said: "Well, the book is only very, very small amount of football.

"[In my other books] I kind of skip over my early life. So one night I was talking to my wife and I told her what happened at school and she said 'pardon?'. So I thought 'I think I'll throw that in.'"

But the Quakers still hold a very important place in Mr Hodgson's heart and he told The Northern Echo the that the club had "very much" helped him over his life.

"They've helped me a lot," he said.

"I've got a lot of memories of them and they've been really supportive."

The book is available to buy online HERE.