ST HELENS-born author Alan Hill has described how he came to write the compelling and emotional biography of a man diagnosed with autism aged 49.

A Boy Called Arsenal is a book about the challenges Bournemouth-based Scouser Arsenal Whittick faced growing up with acute autism – and an obsession with football.

And among the painful lines, laced with dashes of humour, is the moment on 1971 FA Cup Final morning that he changed his first name to Arsenal.

The book has recently received the endorsement from football manager Harry Redknapp.

St Helens Star:

Former West Park pupil Alan decided to write the story after hearing Arsenal describe living on the autism spectrum during a works night out in 2018.

Alan said: “I could see that Arsenal was struggling with a normal social environment standing alone and a little removed from everyone else, so I went to speak with him.

“He told me his late diagnosis was triggered by some very dark circumstances – when he found out his daughter had tried to kill herself.

“Talking to him was like talking to a Russian doll – every time unscrewed one layer there was a deeper more meaningful one inside and he started telling me about his life.

“I immediately believed this was a story that needed telling and offered to write it down for him.

“Writing the book I spoke with him, and to his two daughters and his ex-wife - and you hear both sides in the book.”

Sales have grown steadily since its release in July, with all royalties donated to Arsenal and his family to help with their ongoing challenges with autism and mental health.

“Arsenal prides himself on being straight and honest; there are funny stories in the book where he can laugh at himself.

“There’s a laugh or a tear on every page,” said Alan.

An accountant by profession, Alan worked at Ravenhead, Beechams and Spillers before heading south.

There the former Blackbrook and UGB player retained his roots by playing rugby league with Fulham Travellers until the age of 52.

It is his first biography – but he has written fantasy novels in the past.

He credits his love of writing as something that was inspired by his former teacher at West Park, Mr Biggs.