One Step Beyond - one man's journey from near death to new life by Gram Seed

‘I’d watched Middlesbrough FC a few times as a lad with my uncles, but this time it was different. The crowds, the noise, the excitement – the atmosphere was amazing.

There were so many memorable matches: Middlesbrough v Bolton Wanderers – stabbed in the arm and chest four times

Middlesbrough v West Ham – face slashed with a double-edged Stanley knife

Middlesbrough v Everton – sliced with a knife, just missing my throat and cutting off a chunk of my chin

Middlesbrough v Leeds United – face and eye ripped open by a police Alsatian dog

I was also hit over the head with a blunt, sword-like instrument that left a long, deep gash in my skull, had four front teeth knocked out and had a bottle stuck in my eye and chin. And I loved it! ‘

Gram Seed was that lad, written off by family, neighbours, teachers and the police as a lost cause – his early life taking him through shoplifting, football hooliganism, multiple stabbings and beatings, alcoholism, drug addiction, homelessness and several jail sentences to a six-day coma. One Step Beyond tells of his journey from despair and near death to hope, faith and new life.