TTTONLF Meets…Football Author Rob Cavallini

Welcome back to another TTTONLF meets, this time we sit down with Author Rob Cavallini. Rob is the author of some incredible football books with his most recent book covering the first 25 years of Dorking Wanderers from creation back in 1999 to 2024!

An incredible story to tell and with over 200 pages of footballing joy to sit down and enjoy, i think its time to sit down with Rob and ask some questions!

Name – Rob Cavallini

Age – 49

Favourite team – Loads but Dorking and Corinthian-Casuals as I have been hands on for many years.

Grimsby & Barnet from childhood & Corinthians Paulista in Brazil – been to 100+ games

Occupation – Finance

Thing I love about football – The travel mainly these days, I go to 50 new grounds/stadiums a year

My football pet hate – No programmes issued and then people saying oh it’s so expensive when it really isn’t as I written 100s over the years and there are ways to make a profit

Q) Growing up did you always have a love for football and what is your first memory from a game?

I fell in love with football when I was 8 or 9 and remember the 86 World Cup – my first memory of being at a game was Grimsby v Luton which ended 0-0 in either 81 or 82 – the match ended 0-0 two years running so cannot be specific – i remember I was freezing!!!

Q) Did you always have you heart set on being an author?

I started researching football from age of 9 when my Dad gave me a pile of old Grimsby programmes and did the same for various clubs I supported or was involved with. I always said I’ll write a book but it took a while to come fruition.

Q) What made you take the leap and write your first book?

I was having a break from being involved with running clubs and decided I would see if there was the material to write a book about Wanderers. After a summer spent at Colindale I decided to start writing and eventually it all came together.

Q) How daunting of an experience is that moment when you finally release a book and wait for the sales/reaction?

I normally run a subscription for a discount for buying in advance so it’s 3-6 weeks to find out if I can cover the printing which is a nervous time! I would like to thank my regulars who really have supported me over the years!

Q) What is it about writing books on football that you find so enjoyable?

I love the research especially as you get to dismiss the myths and falsehoods people have copied down the generations! Barnet were not really formed in 1888, Corinthians keeper did not stand aside for penalties… I can go on.

Q) What is the most enjoyable experience you have had to date with your writing?

The best experience was in 2010 I did a travel football book travelling round Brazil with the ultras of Corinthians Paulista – that was lively!!! The publisher pulled out so it only had a small release but was great as I ended up in Colombia, Uruguay and Paraguay and saw 65 games and travelled 40,000 miles – great memories

Q) When someone gets in touch with you to say how much they have enjoyed your book, what feeling does that personally give to you?

I find it really nice when people get in touch to pay me a compliment – i prefer it on email than in person as I’d blush!!!

Q) Your most recent book covers the 25 year history of Dorking Wanderers, what made you initially want to write this one?

I had a lot of the records and always had a great relationship with the club so it was a honour to be asked to write it

Q) Marc White is an iconic character and his achievements are incredible, did you feel any extra pressure putting together this one over any other book?

I know Marc well so I was hoping I could do it justice. It was quite amusing as I found a few things which even Marc had forgotten. I hope I did it justice as I try to bring things to life and explain why and what happened. Marc and I went through one of the most stressful periods of the clubs history which ended up at Wembley in an FA appeal which may, had the result gone the wrong way changed the course of history. All of this is included I have done my best to get everything in.

Q) Why should people take a leap and grab a copy for themselves?

12 promotions in 25 years is a remarkable achievement and I don’t know of a club which has done that ever. I doubt it could be done again as the decrease in the size of junior leagues probably means there only a few areas which you could start at level 16 or 17 of English football.

Q) What does football mean to you…?

Football means everything to me. I met my ex and current wife because of football. I remind my son Jo that he has to support Corinthians Paulista as they are the reason he exists!! I’ve travelled the world watching games, loved the writing, made some amazing friends and had a lot of laughs along the way.

Q) Would you ever get into football fiction?

Football Fiction is not something I could do if I’m honest – I love to bring the past alive and rediscover long lost tales which you could not make up!

Q) What books do you have planned for the future?

My next book is The History of Grimsby Town FC 1878-1910 – it will be out in the summer- this will be a 5 part series released periodically until 2030

Q) Is there a team or player that would be your ultimate goal to focus a book on?

I’ve been really lucky and found opportunities to write about all the clubs I’ve been involved with or supported so that be where I stop. I do have a fascination with clubs like Walthamstow Avenue and Bishop Auckland which maybe fun to write.

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Thanks to Rob for his time! I am now very excited personally to get stuck into his Dorking book myself after developing a soft spot for the club watching them on the Bunch of Amateurs series. I hope some of you also grab a copy for yourself!

https://www.dognduck.net/

Until next time!

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