A MAN has written a book about his grandad, a former Bolton Wanderers footballer, to keep his memory alive.

Harry Tyrer played for the Whites in 1888 and 1889 during his 22-year career.

And his proud grandson, Graham Smith, aged 70, has now documented his career.

The book, Harry Tyler, Victorian Footballer, is available to read and to buy for £6 at Bolton Library.

Mr Smith said he felt it important to put the memory of Mr Tyrer in print to prevent his family history being lost.

He said: “I did a lot of research and went to a lot of libraries, such as Darwen and Blackpool.

“There is a lot on the internet but I found it easier to go to the libraries and dig it out.

“My mother and aunt had kept some pictures and cuttings from his football career.

“The book is as much for my family as it is for anything else.

“There was a worry that things get lost, for instance, if you move house and find a big bag of photos they could just get chucked.”

Harry Tyrer, who was originally from Halsall near Ormskirk, moved to the area to play for Eagley in 1882, aged just 14.

He spent four years there before playing for Turton , Bolton, Blackpool, Darwen, and then again for Turton.

He played 14 games in only one season at Bolton, scoring twice, both goals coming in a 6-2 win over Everton at Pikes Lane.

He left the club for Blackpool after missing a friendly match against Sunderland Albion unintentionally.

The club believed it was deliberate and he moved to the seaside club.

Harry had explained his absence by saying he had been back home to see Margaret Moorcroft, his future wife, and had missed his train because the new shoes he was wearing had caused painful blisters.

Mr Smith, a former history teacher, who lives in Haslingden, said: “The best bit in doing all the research was finding a couple of quotes from Harry, which is quite something considering it is more than 100 years since he played.

“There is one match report from when he was at Blackpool when he played on the wing with Albert Bond.

“Apparently he shouted ‘owd up a bit Albert’, which caused some amusement for the crowd.

“I never met Harry but I have heard stories from family members who say he was a bit of a character.”