James Orme grew up in picturesque Dorset, England, moving to London in his early twenties. It was there, in 2002, while working as a primary school teacher, that he embraced Islam and greedily acquired an extra name: Jamal. (He still likes to be called James). Educational roles have since taken Jamal to the UAE and Saudi Arabia, where daily he encourages his children to become Derby County fans like himself (he has given up trying to convert their mother). Team Spirit is his second book.