A football reporter is ghost-writing the autobiography of a former Premier League champions’ medal-winner.

Jon Palmer, Cheltenham Town reporter for the Gloucestershire Echo, has already written two books about the club, and is now busy penning the life story of former player Alan Wright.

Alan started his career with Blackpool but made his name with the Blackburn Rovers team which won the 1995 Premier League title.

He later enjoyed success with Aston Villa and played for Sheffield United, Leeds United and Derby County among others before joining Cheltenham Town in 2007.

Jon told HTFP: “I got to know him during his time at Cheltenham and he is now player-coach at Blue Square North club Fleetwood Town. He is coming to the end of his playing career and he has so many great stories to tell and experiences to share.

“He played alongside the likes of Alan Shearer, David Ginola, Juninho, Paul McGrath and Dion Dublin and played under managers such as Brian Little, Kenny Dalglish, Graham Taylor and Neil Warnock.

“We have been holding regular meetings to talk through his career and the book is progressing well, although there is a long way to go yet.

“When he left Cheltenham Town I realised he was nearing the end of a highly distinguished career and approached him about the possibility of a book last summer.

“He was keen immediately and I’d like to think he respected my writing skills from the coverage of Cheltenham Town in the Gloucestershire Echo during his time with the club.”

Jon added that the book was due to be published in August next year by The History Press and would hopefully be launched at an Aston Villa home match.

His previous two books were ‘Cheltenham Town: 50 Greats’, published in 2006, and last year’s Cheltenham Town: Classic Matches.