Sam Hatchington lost his virginity at a bus stop ('bit of a disaster; bus came before I did'). Since then, with the help of Old Thomas, his inspirational new friends and Gran (the connoisseur of footballers' bottoms), he has turned his life around. Now, fifteen years and seven girlfriends later, he must risk his career and all that he has achieved in order to be honest with himself - and the public - about his love for another man. Because Sam - eternal optimist, book lover, survivor of a deprived South London estate and an abusive father - is also an England footballer and the 'wrong' decision would create a furious media frenzy...