Finding a Way

Finding A Way will appeal to football fans, describing as it does the delights of playing the sport professionally, and sharing with the reader the secrets of the dressing room – and midfielder Len Johnrose’s candid opinions of the players and managers who populated his glory years. Yet this is much more than a footballing memoir, and the title refers to more than sporting endeavour. The book – full of humour – will also appeal to those who are fascinated by the human spirit and how it can vault the most intimidating barriers to happiness. 

‘Finding a way’ has become Len’s mantra since his diagnosis with motor neurone disease (MND) in 2017, some years after his retirement from professional football, while he was working as a teacher and maintaining high standards of physical fitness through sport and gym. This cruel disease gradually removed all such activities from his life. Now it severely restricts his personal freedoms as his everyday movement became increasingly affected – the memoir was written using voice-recognition technology as Len can no longer control his hands.

It’s been a long journey for Len since he played for Blackburn Rovers, Hartlepool, Bury, Burnley, Swansea City and Preston North End. Yet this quietly admirable man has found a way to overcome the unexpected challenges he’s faced off the field, and that brings its own satisfaction.

Len Johnrose was a professional footballer where he made 500 first-team appearances, scoring 50 goals. After gaining two promotions at Bury and one at Burnley, he scored the decisive third goal in a 4 - 2 victory that secured Swansea City’s league status. After retiring, he qualified as a teacher. In 2017, he was diagnosed with motor neurone disease. He lives in Preston with his family.