Former Bury FC player Don Hale has responded to an appeal to help save the cash-strapped club – by offering some of the profits of his book Town Without Pity to the team.

Don used to be the Matlock Mercury editor and spent eight years investigating the plight of Derbyshire man Stephen Downing, who spent 28 years in prison for a crime he always claimed he did not commit.

The book is the story of that investigation and the struggle to prove Stephen’s innocence.

Bury FC have been relegated to the Third Division and are currently in administration.

Don said: “They are appealing to any former players to promote ideas.

“I have suggested they work with my publishers to offer supporters and Greater Manchester residents a copy of the book at a reduced rate with a substantial profit going directly to the club.

“I used to play for the club from the mid 1960s to early 1970s in the junior and reserve sides. Mention of my time as a soccer player is detailed on the dust cover of the book.”

Don is also a former professional player with Shrewsbury Town, York City and Blackburn Rovers.

His book reached No5 in the “True Crime” best sellers following publication on April 4. He describes it as a “fast moving roller-coaster thriller about my eight-year quest to free Stephen Downing”.

It has prompted recent articles in the national press – which are all fully documented within the book – and it is soon to become the subject of a BBC TV drama and in one scene will feature Bury’s Gigg Lane ground.

The book is nominated for two national awards and Don’s campaigning work to secure Stephen Downing’s freedom received 15 national and international awards.

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