Chris McLeod is a journalist and former " very average" soccer player and coach. He began his journalistic career in newspapers in country NSW, reporting on local government, emergency services and sport. His interest in football began at a country one-teacher school then at high school and later at senior clubs. He coaches junior teams. Moving to Melbourne he worked on news and sports desks over many years. He has since co-authored and contributed to a number of sports books including, Barty: Arise Queen of Oz, Captain Pat, Buddy, the Last Centurion, and Kyrgios: The Smash Hits.