Born in Hornchurch, Essex on 29th Jan 1954, Bill Gardner came to prominence in the 1970s as a supporter of West Ham United and as a member of the Mile End Boys

"Bobby Moore was West Ham's leader on the pitch. Bill Gardner was West Ham's
leader off it" ~ Carlton Leach

Bill Gardner's childhood in 1950s East London was plagued by chronic vulnerability, due to shocking parental abuse. 

He endured relentless school bullying, unbearable solitude, mental health problems and homelessness, all by the age of just 14 years old.  

Life's challenges

Over the years, Bill has dealt with and overcome more personal challenges than many others. 
Within the book, you will read in great detail more of these, but for an insight into some of these, and what they each mean nowadays to Bill, take a dive into here.