A local author looked close to home for his latest book by telling the story of his footballing dad.

The Last Goal of the Durham Wonderboy by Steven Chaytor, from Sedgefield, is a tribute to his father Kenny Chaytor, who played for Oldham Athletic in the 1950s.

It is also a personal insight into Trimdon-born Kenny’s battle with dementia in later life.

As a youngster, Kenny was a prodigious and natural talent on the pitch.

Author Steve Chaytor with a copy of his new book outside Back of Beyond Books in Sedgefield where it is on sale.

placeholder image — Author Steve Chaytor with a copy of his new book outside Back of Beyond Books in Sedgefield where it is on sale.

He was persuaded to join Oldham Athletic over Sunderland by Oldham’s legendary manager George Hardwick who predicted Kenny would play for England before he was 20.

Steven’s new book charts his football journey, from the County Durham coalfields to the Lancashire cotton mills and back, at a time before football was awash with money.

Steven, 65, who is retired, said: “It’s the story of the ups and downs of his career and is loaded with anecdotes and stories.

"He was given the nickname ‘The wonder boy of Durham’ by the press at the time.”

A newspaper cutting of Kenny Chaytor (left) in goal scoring action on the pitch.

After signing for Oldham, Kenny made his league debut at age 16 and scored a hat-trick when he was just 17.

"He was the youngest player at the time to score a hat-trick in league football,” said Steven.

During his football career, which ended at non-league clubs Witton Albion and Ashton United in the North West, Kenny got to rub shoulders with stars of stage and screen, footballing greats and political heavyweights.

The book is also a personal look at how Kenny tackled dementia later in life, a condition that has affected many former players such as fellow North Easterners Bobby and Jack Charlton as well as Nobby Styles and Dean Windass.

Steven is keen to point out in his book that, contrary to some reports, the Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) provides excellent support for those affected.

He said: "He was one of the first recipients of help from the PFA’s brain health fund.”

Kenny died last year aged 86.

Steven, a former managing director of Tees Active, says while the book is unflinching about the effects of dementia, it is also not without humour.

The Last Goal of the Durham Wonderboy, published by New Generation Publishing, is out now on Amazon and can be found in selected Waterstones and independent book shops priced £12.99.