An author is topping bestseller lists with a book inspired by his "first passion" - football stickers.

Stuck on You by Greg Lansdowne is currently selling better on Amazon pre-order sales than autobiographies by famous managers Arsene Wenger, Jose Mourinho and Harry Redknapp.

Mr Lansdowne has stong connections with the beautiful game, with father Bill and brother Billy both played for West Ham, one of the few father and sons to do so.

Arsenal fan Mr Lansdowne, 40, of Alderton Hill in Loughton, started collecting Panini football stickers of players in 1979.

His passion for collecting was reignited after he rediscovered his first collections in his parents attic.

The book documents the history of Panini stickers which challenged company Merlin for the all-important first Premier League contract.

Explaining the fascination with football sticker collecting, Mr Landsowne said: “As a child it’s a sense of community.

"The best part of collecting was always swapping in the playground and there was a real sense of achievement everytime you completed the book.

“My first collection in 1979 is my fondest.

"I had every sticker but the St Mirren Badge.

"I could buy it now and complete it but I want to keep it empty. It reminds me of childhood.

“Now the adults are trading on the “digital playground” over social media.

“During the 2014 World Cup we had Ed Sheerhan, Ed Balls and other celebrities putting their most wanted stickers on Twitter and swapping them.

Mr Lansdowne's favourite sticker is of the former Swansea City player, Alan Curtis.

He explained: “Normally in Panini albums the shots were of the players’ head and shoulders, but for the first time in 1983 they used full body shots.

“You can clearly see Alan Curtis with his whole kit on but carpet slippers instead of football boots.”

Mr Lansdowne's next book is on the 1980s Norwegian pop group, A-ha.

Stuck on You is out on March 2.