Sometimes in journalism, as in life, it’s best to wait. And keep waiting. And then wait some more.

Sometimes in journalism, as in life, you find things you were not even looking for. And sometimes these things are right under your nose. Or, in this case, just up the road, 300 metres away.

In early 2004 a mate went to a party up the road and met a man, a neighbour of the hosts, who makes footballs by hand. The man uses the skills and the knowledge and some of the tools of his father, his grandfather, and his grandfather’s uncle.

In July 2010 Melbourne Books published The Family Behind The Football by Syd Sherrin, a book in which I had formative role.

Visit the Footy Almanac website to learn more of that formative role.