Ealing man's debut novel mixes punk and football

Oct 12 2010 By Jane Harrison

PUNK and football are not an obviously harmonious mix, but actor and musician Al Gregg manages to hit just the right note in his debut novel.

The Wrong Outfit, which includes plays and short stories, follows the fortunes of Adam Nedman, from his ’70’s West London home life, to Chelsea’s football terraces and touches on Al's own chaotic school life and his early introduction to the Punk scene. Al, 46, of Salisbury Road, West Ealing, was expelled from school at 16 after failing his O levels and found himself in a playing guitar in punk bands, notably The Wall, who were label mates on Polydor with Sham 69, The Jam and Siouxsie and the Banshees. 

His first attempt at writing was a poem when he was 16, inspired by the punk rocker Honey Bane. Al said: "I liked the story because of her very difficult upringing; running away from reality. I got into trouble in school because I mixed with the wrong crowd so I got part of my education reading Chelsea football programmes and anything relating to the club.

"My brothers supported Chelsea and I was born in the nearest hospital to the ground so it seemed the natural thing to do."

Chelsea published the first punk record by the Damned in its programme and Chelsea was a punk frock band who played at Chelsea Bridge so there was already a "connection" in Al's mind. It seemed only natural that he would become a punk. He said: "At 16 I was playing guitar in my school mates punk band and played quite a few gigs, including the legendary 100 Club, which is very much in the news at the moment, as there's a big campaign to prevent it being closed down. Then I heard The Wall needed a guitarist. So at 17 I found myself with The Wall who were recording and in Melody Maker. My parents weren't pleased but there were no other options and it was such a fun thing to do.

"Here I was, a spotty teenager playing with hardened punk musicians who were six or seven years older than me. Luckily the drummer took me under his wing. He was like a surrogate father. It was fantastic but because I was so young I didn't appreciate it." He played some top gigs like Ronny Scott before the Punk era fizzled out.

Al then trained as an actor and has appeared in theatre, TV (Casualty, Eastenders) commercials and voice-overs. He started writing seriously at drama and his co-written play with David Schaal (from TV's 'The Office', 'Inbetweeners') about punk called 'Reality Chokes' had a very successful run at the 2009 Edinburgh Festival garnering some five star reviews and a nomination for the MTMUK Edinburgh Fringe Awards.

He wanted to write a different book so one that captured the joys of football as well as punk, which was different to those that simply explored hooliganism or racism at the game seemed a good idea. It took him about four years to complete. Al said: "I believe The Wrong Outfit can appeal to anyone interested in football and punk; both are a sort of rite of passage."

As well as pleasing his parents, Al has also had the last laugh on his headmaster. Al said: He said: 'you will never make anything of your life.' That was a big spur to do something."

The book is on sale from Amazon, Barnes and Noble and Waterstones websites priced £9.99.