Greg Davies returns to his English-teacher's roots in South Yorkshire. Greg goes back to his old school and "takes a lesson". I am sure that most of you out there have read the book or seen the film.
Ian MacMillan added commentary.
Davies meets Hines' brother, Richard, a key influence for the character of the troubled Billy Casper, who gets to fly a kestrel for the first time.
Melvin Barry Hines lived at Hoyland Common, near Barnsley, in South Yorkshire, went to Ecclesfield Grammar School achieving 5 'O' Levels (presumably one in English). Sheffield United's successful striker, Billy Sharpe, also went to his school.
After a brief visit to the mines for work with the NCB, Hines went back to school and took 4 'A' Levels " which led him to a teaching degree at Loughborough University. His dissertation was based on the "Flight of the Hawk" which inspired him to write his first published novel, "Billy's Last Stand", the basis for "The Blinder" in 1966. This was about a gifted lad who was torn between football and an academic career. Of course, in those days football didn't carry the rewards that the game holds today.
Hines was first employed in London, he returned to Barnsley to teach and write. This produced a number of novels related to education, unemployment, coal mines and football.
Two TV plays about football included "Shooting Stars" where three friends hold hostage a local football star striker for a ransom. This aired in Channel 4. He also produced a BBC1 film in 1992 "Born Kicking" about a professional female footballer. These weren't his only novels and TV scripts whihc ranhged from a nuclear attack to the price of coal.
Hines loved football and played for Barnsley Grammar Schoolboys and then England Grammar Schoolboys as well as being at Barnsley FC Youth and briefly for Manchester United Youth.
He was awarded an honorary degree at Loughborough in 2009 and an Honorary Doctorate at Sheffield in 2010.
Hines, was struck with Alzheimers and died on March 18th 2016 aged 76.
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