Long-time Isle of Wight journalist, Peter White, has written and released a book about his career, which has spanned more than 50 years.
His experiences and stories are revealed in his book 'I’m Glad I Did – The Hazy, Crazy Life of a Journalist.’
Although Peter covered top flight football for 39 seasons, both in the Midlands and on the south coast, he is quick to point out that there is far more to the book than just football and sports tales.
(Picture: Peter with comedian, Jasper Carrot at Shanklin Theatre)
He has interviewed numerous famous people since moving to the Island in 1999. They include film stars, actors, TV personalities, comedians, pop icons and even a couple of ex-Government ministers.
He said:
“The prime aim of the book is to raise money for local units who deal directly with breast cancer at St Mary’s Hospital, Newport. My wife, Trish, died in 2011, aged just 53, following a long battle with the disease, and I have never forgotten the kindness and compassion shown by the nurses and staff in the chemotherapy unit and in the Breast Care Nurses Trust.
"A donation from every book sold will be made to the two units.”
After working in Banbury, Leamington Spa and Coventry, Peter became chief writer of the Birmingham-based Saturday evening football paper, the Sports Argus. After a spell on national papers, he went freelance, and after moving to the Island, he reported on Southampton, Portsmouth and Bournemouth football clubs for many years, as a freelance for the Sunday Mirror and Daily Express.
Peter is also a former editor of Isle of Wight magazines, The Beacon and Island Life.
(Picture: Peter with Camp Bestival curator, Rob da Bank)
Last year, Peter co-wrote former Aston Villa manager, Brian Little's book. Brian has written the foreword, along with TV star and former footballer and manager, Chris Kamara.
(Picture: Peter interviewing former footballer, George Best)
Peter said:
“I have tried to make the book not about me, but give an insight into the wonderful, and not so wonderful people I have met and interviewed.
"There are tales about former Premier League football managers - including one who invited me into his office at 10am one Monday morning, to help him drink a bottle of whisky after he had been sacked. Then there’s the well-known British athlete who threatened to punch me on the nose at the Seoul Olympics in 1988, if I dared to ask him a question.
"I reveal why the Princess Royal was tested at the Montreal Olympics in 1976, and tell why a jockey mate told me not to have a bet on his Grand National ‘no-hoper’. There’s the story of an Island man who was a prisoner of war in the Far East.
"There’s also a very emotional interview with a former estate agent, who came to the Isle of Wight to seek sanctuary, after being horrifically kidnapped, and held captive in a coffin for five days. I also interviewed a famous TV and film star, who actually made me blush - twice!
"Hopefully, some stories will make you smile, and others might result in wiping away a tear.”
(Picture: Peter with TV presenter and actor, Adil Ray)
He added:
“The book’s title came about because early in my life I had a few setbacks. After those, I vowed to make the most of every opportunity, so now I can look back and say: “I’m glad I did, rather than I wish I had.”
A donation from each book sale will be going to the Chemotherapy and Breast Care Unit at St Mary's Hospital.
You can buy a copy of the book, here - https://py.pl/P2zvontWI7
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