Both Sides of the Line

The True Story of a Life-Changing Football Mentor Who Became a Longtime Target of America's Most Wanted

By: Kevin Kelly

Narrated by: Lyle Blaker

High school players in a working-class neighborhood in the 1970s gain desperately needed structure and guidance from Jack "Clyde" Dempsey, a scrappy, charismatic coach who seems like nothing more than a football geek. But Coach also happens to be the toughest guy on the streets of Boston, with a temper to match, and it's his secret life as a mob enforcer/collector that forces him to flee the country, becoming one of America's most wanted.

In this memoir a devoted Dempsey disciple, who later became a dean at a private school outside Boston, tries 35 years later to understand his former coach, role model, and mentor - both his good side and his very dark side - and Dempsey's impact on his own life. A completely true story.

©2016 Bancroft Press (P)2016 Bancroft Press

CM alum and enjoyed hearing of the success

Well done, some Boston street name mispronunciations. Truly too bad for Dempsey demise, seemed to be a great help

An engaging story

"Both Sides of the Line" is fascinating story about the undersized 1974 Bosco Bears in Massachusetts, with a strange twist, as a former player shares his appreciation for a former coach who was secretly connected to the mob. The former inner city technical school ended the long winning streak of Catholic Memorial, en route to a state football championship. Despite being a popular coach, and mentor to many young men, Clyde Dempsey was revealed to be a mob enforcer. Despite fleeing to Canada, and being featured on America's Most Wanted, Dempsey was captured and received a life sentence for second degree murder, and died in prison before he could be interviewed for this spectacular book. The author reunites with members of the 1974 championship team, as they share their thoughts and memories of that thrilling season, and ultimately learning the truth about their former coach. Highly recommended!