David Beckham inspires Portsmouth dad to publish football book '“ more than a decade after writing it

Phil Tusler started writing a football book for his son but gave up hopes of finishing it when he lost the manuscript.

The 57-year-old from Portsmouth said: '˜I started writing it when my son was only ten years old. He's 25 now so I've had to apologise to him for it taking so long.

'˜The simple truth is I completed 95 per cent of it and then mislaid the manuscript. I couldn't remember where I had put it and over the years just assumed it must have got thrown out.

'˜Luckily my wife found it down the back of an old filing cabinet one day and there it was, a bit musty and crumpled, but all in one piece. I thought I've got to finish it now.'

Phil has since finished and published his story, Beckham's Boots, which follows a young boy whose passion for football isn't matched by his ability until he receives a pair of David Beckham's old football boots.

Phil said: '˜I first developed a passion for reading and writing at junior school thanks to some great teachers who instilled in me a love of books.

'˜There are lot of children out there who live and breath sport whether they are any good at it or not and none more so than football.

'˜The main character, Billy Boyle, is typical of them. He'd love just to be a half-decent player but something is holding him back.

'˜Then he buys a pair of David Beckham's schoolboy boots at a sporting auction which seem to have magical qualities which transform his game.'

The former Portsmouth Grammer School student hopes the storyline will strike a chord with youngsters.

He added: '˜It may have taken fourteen years to finish but I think it been worth the wait. David Beckham has been a sporting icon for many years and it is fitting he should provide the inspiration for both myself and the book's main character Billy.'

Aimed at seven to 12-year-olds,  Phil hopes it will become the first in a series of children book releases.

He said: '˜It is so important that we get youngsters reading from an early age.

'˜If we do that, it can lead to a lifelong love of books which is so important in this high-tech age.'

Beckham's Boots is available to purchase on Amazon.