HELL RATH NO FURY

Dad's struggles taught Ollie to play without fear

- BY JOHN RICHARDSON

WREXHAM striker Ollie Rathbone has put a smile back on the face of his dad, Mick, who as a player saw his confidence shot to bits.

Mick's mental turmoil is highlighted in a compelling autobiography, 'The Smell Of Football'. The former Birmingham, Blackburn and Preston defender came close to quitting the game after losing his self-belief.

That's why his 29-year-old son, Ollie, now plays without fear, and scored a stunning goal against Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup third-round victory over the Premier League club.