A former Sunderland footballer will share a story of football, family, faith and survival with the public at a local book launch in Hexham this week.
Maurice Hepworth, a 73-year-old native of Barrasford, will launch Add To You: Lessons from a Life of Football, Family and Faith at Hexham Auction Mart at 7pm on Thursday, September 24. No tickets are required.
The event will give visitors the chance to meet Hepworth, have copies of the book signed and hear him discuss the experiences that shaped his life. The evening is expected to combine humour, honesty and personal reflection.
From Sunderland to South Africa
Hepworth’s book revisits his professional football career, including his time at Sunderland. It contains recollections of players, managers and the dressing room, alongside his reflections on the club and its supporters.
“Sunderland was always my club,” he said. “I absolutely adore the Sunderland fans. They are incredible people.”
The book also describes a near-death experience during Hepworth’s football career. He said he nearly died on the pitch, remained in danger for two weeks and underwent emergency surgery.
“It was the beginning of a long, long journey.”
Hepworth later rebuilt his career in Africa. He was named South African Player of the Year in 1977 and writes about playing alongside Vincent Julius in what he describes as the first multi-racial match involving a white South African club during the apartheid era.
Football, business and mentoring
Beyond football, Add To You covers Hepworth’s work with PepsiCo and the businesses he later established through MH Coaching and Leadership. It also examines his mentoring of young footballers, including England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford during Pickford’s time in Sunderland’s academy system.
The book’s account extends into some of the most difficult periods of Hepworth’s life. It discusses cancer, bereavement, mental health struggles within his family and his responsibilities as a carer.
“There's not much that I haven't had to cope with, and it has made me so much stronger.”
Hepworth says he has survived stage four cancer, while his wife has survived breast cancer. He also writes about his son-in-law’s death by suicide, his brother’s serious mental health problems and the caring role he continues to undertake.
He now spends much of his time mentoring, providing leadership coaching, volunteering in cancer-related work and supporting community activities.
Message of resilience
Although the book addresses major personal setbacks, Hepworth’s message is ultimately one of optimism and resilience.
“It's been a difficult journey, but it's also been an incredible journey.”
His advice to readers is to find their authentic selves and build relationships with people who care about them. Those attending the Hexham launch will be able to hear that message directly from the author and explore the story behind a life shaped by football, adversity and service to others.