Book excerpt: Francis Ponder grew up with football and loved the game from the moment he first kicked a ball. He also spent nearly thirty years as a football commentator, reporting on the fortunes of his beloved team, Colchester United. For sixty-five years, Francis has observed the club, both as a fan and journalist and has now written about his experiences in Step This Way… Mr Lynam. In this revealing new book, the author spills the beans on more than fifteen seasons of football, providing us with a unique insight into Colchester United's varying fortunes, from the despair of relegation to the triumph of promotion. Written from the heart, this book takes a look at football during a time now past when players and managers were in it for the love of the game rather than fame or material gain, giving us a glimpse of life inside a family club under the chairmanship of Gordon Parker, James Bowdidge and Peter Heard. This book is a must for all fans of Colchester United and anyone with an interest in football history.