Dave Kitson reveals he was 'The Secret Footballer'

Former Premier League striker Dave Kitson has confirmed he was 'The Secret Footballer', the anonymous author of a weekly newspaper column and five books that offered behind-the-scenes accounts of elite football. The pieces covered matchdays, transfers and contracts, and the secrecy prompted fans and online groups to try to unmask the writer.

Kitson made his name at Cambridge United and Reading, playing in the Premier League after the Royals set a Championship points record of 106 in 2005-06. He later turned out for Stoke City, Portsmouth, Sheffield United and Oxford United before retiring in 2015 following a brief spell with Arlesey Town.

On the Liberty Rock Sport Podcast, he said: 'I am The Secret Footballer. I've never said that out loud before.' He described writing as a long-standing passion and a cathartic outlet when he was unhappy with where football was heading, explaining the aim was to show how the industry works rather than to name names.

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