Stuart Mackintosh looks at the life story of Darlington Football Club's boomerang boss, which lifts the lid on his relationship with the club's controversial former chairman George Reynolds.

THREE TIMES A QUAKER by David Hodgson (Speakeasy Publishing, £13.99)

EVEN to the most ardent of football fans, David Hodgson's love affair with Darlington FC is difficult to comprehend. Usually found languishing near the base of the English league pyramid, in the shadow of their glamorous North-East neighbours, the Quakers have rarely aspired to much. But Hodgson - the charming, charismatic former Liverpool player - is drawn to the club like a moth to a flame. Twice he has walked out, only to return.

His passion was never more evident than last year, when he answered former chairman George Reynolds' plea to revive the club's on-the-field fortunes. It was an incredible decision, not least because the pair had been at each other's throats for the past three years.

This book lifts the lid, for the first time, on how Hodgson became three times a Quaker. It's a fascinating insight into Hodgson's love for the unfashionable club.

Away from Darlington, even while working in Argentina, he religiously followed the Quakers' news and results. At the helm, he has a burning desire to bring success, despite running battles with owners of a club he admits almost always has "short-term cash-flow problems".

To Darlington fans and townsfolk, the most intriguing chapters will be those on his relationship with the flamboyant Reynolds - a man who, from one of football's most northerly outposts, took the whole game by the scruff of the neck and gave it a good shake. It is a warts-and-all account of that memorable period, a particularly good read being the blazing rows between two men who, despite their enormous differences, appear to share a mutual respect.

Equally compelling are his days at Anfield, alongside some of the greats of the game, Graeme Souness, Kenny Dalglish, Ian Rush et al.

What shines through most of all, though, is the manner in which Hodgson wears his heart on his sleeve.

There are emotional tales of his love for his family; witnessing the Hillsborough tragedy; the stomach-churning agony of the 2000 play-off final defeat and his sorrow for Reynolds' demise at the club.

All in all, this is a terrific personal account of Hodgson's glittering career and goings-on behind the scenes at Darlington, a club never far from the headlines.

And for Christmas...

Gazza My Story by Paul Gasgoigne (Headline, 14.99). Tears, torn ligaments, Italia '90, Euro '96, alcoholism, domestic violence, and Glen Hoddle. All are here in this thoughtful and honest insight into the life and career of the most talented footballer of his generation.

Off The Record My Autobiography by Michael Owen (HarperCollins Willow, £14.99). One of England's leading strikers reflects on two World Cups, two European Championships (including Euro 2004), the glory and frustration of playing the game at the highest level and the private pressures that come with the territory.

Published: 23/11/2004