New book features Sunderland AFC legends Peter Reid and Ian Porterfield plus Prime Minister Tony Blair's tennis partner

Sunderland features heavily in a award-winning journalist’s newly-published autobiography.
Mike Amos, well-known in North East journalism and non-league footballing circles, has written an autobiography crammed with tales of the people he has met during his career.Mike Amos, well-known in North East journalism and non-league footballing circles, has written an autobiography crammed with tales of the people he has met during his career.
Mike Amos, well-known in North East journalism and non-league footballing circles, has written an autobiography crammed with tales of the people he has met during his career.

Mike Amos, chairman of football’s Northern League for 20 years, recalls hundreds of anecdotes about the North East’s people, places and passions in Unconsidered Trifles.

Among them are his regular encounters with colourful Sunderland-born businessman George Reynolds, who became owner of Darlington Football Club and named their £20m new ground after himself, as well as an afternoon spent with Black Cats’ FA Cup winning legend Ian Porterfield.

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The 390-page book also discusses former Sunderland manager Peter Reid’s dubious claim to fame and fondly recalls Kip Watson, a retired city school teacher, who was co-founder of the successful North East Over 40s League.

Mike, whose career spanned 55 years until leaving The Northern Echo at the age of 73 last year, adds: “It’s not just a football book, of course – the sub-title’s Memories of a jobbing journalist – but the beautiful game provides the thread which runs right through it, a perpetual hope of redemption for the goalie who dropped a goolie.”

Among other names mentioned are Father John Caden, the former Sunderland priest who later became Prime Minister Tony Blair’s tennis partner, fearsome Sunderland Judge Myrella Cohen and even Pope John Paul II.

The Queen too also appears after Mike visited Buckingham Palace to receive an MBE for services to journalism.

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Unconsidered Trifles costs £10 softback (plus £3.20 postage) and £22 hardback (plus £3 80 postage) from Mike Amos, 8 Oakfields, Middleton Tyas, Richmond, North Yorks, DL10 6SD.

It’s also available via Amazon. Payment and other details via [email protected].

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