Simon Parker in the Telegraph & Argus

“It’s a fascinating look at life in the lower divisions; the real football world that any City fan can identify with…a refreshing antidote to the latte set of the Premier League and a reminder that following your local club can still be a joy because of that sense of belonging. Well worth a read.”

Click here to read the full review.

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Amazon reviews – taken from here and here

5.0 out of 5 stars

Great Read, a must for Bantams fans, 18 Jan 2012

By Ian Hemmens

Firstly, let me say that whilst my title says a must for all Bantams fans, fans of any club who have lived through triumph and dejection will be able to relate strongly to Jason’s book.

As a fan slightly older than Jason I lived through all his footballing experiences and more but it gives me a great feeling bringing back wonderful and not so wonderful memories of following our beloved Bradford City FC. As a 3rd generaton City fan, i’d like to welcome Jason to the flock and can understand the wisdom of his change in allegiance from Manchester United to Bradford City!!!!

Seriously, Bradford City have hardly if ever been a fashionable club, maybe in our Edwardian Golden age but thats another story. The thing is though, once you are grabbed, you are smitten.

Jason has written the book to coincide with his life experience of schooldays to university to discovering music, drink and girls and the life of work, all honourable practices but always there was his club. Bradford City waiting for him like some ‘Lorelei’ calling him back if he strayed too far.

Well written in an engaging and entertaining style, it records Citys recent rise and fall from grace in a way that fans who lived it will remember with fondness and dread!!

Highly Recommended.

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5.0 out of 5 stars

Paying on the Gate: A Bantam’s Journey into the Heart of Lower League Football, 18 Jan 2012

By Matt Sugden

An absolute must buy for any Bradford City or football fan who knows and understands the ups and downs of the football league. Written in a very engaging style you get a real feel for when Jason fell in love with Bradford City. The book charts the rise and spectaular fall of city in the football league and is interwoven with Jason’s move to university, falling in love with his wife, top nights out and getting a foot on the career ladder.

As a city fan reading this book it was great to relive some fantastic memories. Jason does an excellent job conveying the pride, passion, disappointment and frustration all football fans feel and will be able to relate to. Looking forward to read Jason’s next book where he charts our rise again.

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5.0 out of 5 stars

Step onto the roller coaster!!, 11 Feb 2012

By Damien Wilkinson

Having followed the author’s writing on the sadly defunct Boy from Brazil Bradford City website, high expectations of the book were certainly more than met, and this is an enjoyable and evocative journey through a fairly remarkable period, both for the author and the football club.

There is a nice mix of personal and football memories, without overdoing either, and the journey remains well paced throughout. All key moments are dealt with in lots of memory evoking detail and Jason’s passion for the club is very apparent throughout.

A great read for any Bradford City fan, particularly given the turbulent nature of the seasons covered (promotion, relegations, administrations etc etc!), and will help you understand why it all is so enduring to be a fan through thick and thin.

Despite the unavoidable Bradford City focus, the book would appeal to other long suffering and genuine football fans also.

Looking forward to the follow up book, charting the subsequent rise back to the top!!

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5.0 out of 5 stars

Excellent Read!! Highly recommended!,18 Feb 2012

By Victoria Simpson

Whilst I am actually a fan of Bradford’s local ‘rivals’, Leeds United, I am also a football fan in general and this book was recommened to me by a friend. So, dubiously (I am a Leeds fan after all!) I downloaded it onto my kindle with the prospect of an 8 hour train journey ahead of me – a journey that I usually dread. However, whilst I immersed myself in the journey of the Bantams and that of Jason’s time following them, my train journey passed incredibly quickly and I found myself trying to read faster and faster so I wouldn’t have to break off from reading it when I arrived at my destination! I wasn’t that far off finishing it!

This book offers a unique insight into a football fans experience of a rise to glory and then a fall from grace. Jason describes his emotions whilst on that rollercoaster. He also describes the way in which football affected his life overall, from his first girlfriend to his time away at University, some of the stories are very touching and heartfelt.

Whilst this book is obviously Bradford City based, I would recommend it to any football fan. All clubs have up and down spells and most fans will be able to feel empathy and relate to the Bantam’s journey quite easily – especially those that have been in administration any time within the last 10 years or so!

Having read the book, I bought it for my Uncle to read as he is a Bradford fan.

I look forward to reading more from this budding football writer!

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 Selection of Tweets received

@LondonBantam

well done on your book, Jason. Read it and remembered almost every minute and emotion of it. 👍

@nuggsy_CTID

Just finished the book Jason,a cracking read mate

@tjroche

enjoying it so far! Funnily enough MCFC away in the cup was my first away game too (apart from Wembley)

@damowilko

Discussion overheard in Gargrave co-op praising Paying on the Gate. Word getting around!!

@Roebi1kanobi

not an isolated ear wig i heard a couple of fans in the main stand discussing it sat

@SuggersNo1

brought back some great memories for me. Promotion to the prem season was amazing!! Enjoyed reliving it!!

@IHemmens

Just describing the Barnsley game & Gordon Watson made the hairs on my neck stand up #wildatmosphere

@SkiptonBantams

All fellow bantams get reading paying on the gate by @Jason_Mckeown it’s a great book mapping the up and down fortunes of city! #goodtimes

@damowilko

Just finished reading Paying On The Gate by @Jason_Mckeown Recommended reading for all #bcafc fans. Great writing, capturing ups and downs!

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Message Board comments

“A fantastic book jason,brought alot of great memories back and some sad i may add.
I liked the the bit about your favorite walks ,the one from foster Sq is one of mine too,second only to farnhill pinacle
I would definalely recommend it to anybody who loves football and BCFC.”

“Very good book well written and will bring back many memories for fans of our club.”

“great read get it snapped up.”

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Read the book and got feedback? I’d love to hear from you, email: widthofapost@gmail.com