Alastair Campbell is writing a novel with former Burnley FC player

Alastair Campbell is writing a novel in collaboration with former Burnley footballer and chief executive Paul Fletcher.

The book is about a northern football team, set in the 1970s and featuring the activities of the IRA.

Campbell is an avid fan of Burnley Football Club, which his co-author Fletcher played for between 1970-1980, before becoming chief executive of the club in 2007 until 2011.

“I have never written anything in collaboration with anyone before, so this will be interesting,” Campbell told The Bookseller.

The former Labour spin doctor has authored several books, including with his time working with the then prime minister Tony Blair in The Blair Years in 2008 (Arrow) and on mental health, in The Happy Depressive: In Pursuit of Personal and Political Happiness in 2012 (Arrow). He has written four novels, including All In The Mind (Arrow).

Campbell is represented by literary agent Ed Victor and The Bookseller understands a deal for the novel is on the cusp of being finalised.