FEATURE | I'M A VERY LUCKY MAN

We speak to Darren Perrin about his recently-released autobiography that is rooted in the Southern League

From local pitches in Melksham to managing clubs in the Southern League, Darren Perrin’s football journey is one of passion, perseverance, and resilience.

He has recently released his autobiography, entitled ‘I’m A Very Lucky Man’, in which he shares triumphs on the field, personal challenges off it and the unforgettable moments that shaped his life.

Packed with behind-the-scenes insights, memorable stories and lessons in leadership, this book is a must-read for football fans, aspiring managers and anyone inspired by grit, determination and a love of the game.

We caught up with Darren to talk about the book and started by asking him what the inspiration was behind it.

“The idea came from me wanting to tell the real story behind non-League football,” he told us. “The graft, the passion, the mistakes and the moments that make it all worthwhile.

“I’ve had a career full of highs and lows across clubs like Melksham Town, Forest Green Rovers, Paulton Rovers, Chippenham Town and Frome Town.

“Over the years, I’ve seen and experienced a lot — on and off the pitch — and I wanted to be honest about it all. It’s not a fairy tale story, it’s a real one.

“I would say that it’s part football journey, part life story. It looks at what really goes on behind the scenes — the changing room dynamics, the politics, the loyalty, the fallouts and the lessons you learn along the way.

“At its heart, it’s all about resilience, reputation and redemption — and about how football can give you the best days of your life and the toughest ones too.

“My story has been rooted in the Southern League where there have been plenty of highs and lows for me.

“The highs were definitely the promotions, the big wins and the sense of belonging at certain clubs. But the lows hit just as hard — decisions that didn’t go my way, the criticism, the politics and times when football felt more like business than sport.

“I’ve been praised, slated, misunderstood and supported — sometimes all in the same week! But that’s football, and that’s what makes it so addictive.

“It took around a year to properly pull together the book, but really it’s been a lifetime in the making. The hardest part was being honest — not just about other people, but about myself. Once I got going, it became therapeutic. Some parts were tough to revisit, but writing it gave me closure and a sense of pride in how far I’ve come.

“To see it go on to reach the Amazon Top 10 Football Biographies chart was something I never expected — it’s a huge honour, especially for a story from the non-League world. It shows that real football stories still connect with people.

“I’ve been involved in football for as long as I can remember, both as a player and in management roles across non-League clubs. Away from football, I’m a family man, and that’s what keeps me grounded. I’ve always believed in working hard, staying loyal, and learning from every setback — those values run through everything I do.”

So, what has been the response to the book so far?

“It’s been brilliant,” he continued. “I’ve had messages from players, managers and fans who said it made them reflect on their own journeys. Some have said it’s refreshing to read something so open and real about football outside the top leagues.

“The fact it’s already been recognised among the top football biographies on Amazon has been really humbling. The goal was to be truthful, and I think that’s what people respect most.”

This book is a truly fascinating read. You can order your copy here…

Order your copy of I’m A Very Lucky Man here