In 1989, 18-year-old John Finch spends his Saturdays following Nottingham Forest up and down the country, and the rest of the week trudging the streets of his hometown as a postal worker. Leading inexorably towards the FA Cup semi-final at Hillsborough, the worst sporting disaster on British history, 'Fan' glides between 1989 and 2004, when the true impact of this tragic day becomes evident.
Review: "In spare, atmospheric prose, Rhodes alternates between past and present, between home and away, exploring the neglect that led to the tragedy, the massive cultural changes that followed, and the lure of soccer, crowds, and violence for aimless young men... An affecting novel, one that is as dark and haunting as its subject." -- Booklist "Booklist"
A harrowing account of one fan’s struggle to cope in the aftermath of Hillsborough. The unimaginable tragedy of Hillsborough is one of the defining events of my generation. I was 24 when it happened, just a few years older than John Finch, the central character of this book. Rhodes’ staccato prose absolutely nails that vivid mix of excitement and apprehension in travelling to football matches and being herded in claustrophobic packs before the era of all-seater stadiums. - David F Ross
Danny Rhodes grew up in Grantham, Lincolnshire before moving to Kent in 1994. He has lived in the Cathedral city ever since. His debut novel, 'Asboville' was published in October 2006. Well received by critics it was selected as a Waterstones Booksellers Paperback of the Year and adapted for BBC Films by the dramatist Nick Leather. Rhodes' second novel 'Soldier Boy' was published in February 2009.
