For anyone who knew Pete they'll remember him as a very straight talking lad with a great sense of humour that was very much his own. Me, Pete, Mick, Glen, Keith and various others, who were exiled to the Mansfield area as kids, grew up supporting the Lads from afar and started driving up as soon as we cobbled up enough money for ropey old cars that could get us to Roker Park. We went home and away through the 70's when you really had to have your wits about you but we always seemed to 'dodge the bullets' and make it home. It was a mad time and we had lots of laughs in rented bangers, 5 crammed into my mini or on the 'Mansfield Branch' bus. We'd drive up to Seaham, on Friday nights, and sleep in the car, round the back of the Mallard, while Pete kipped at his Uncle Jack's ... not sure how we all fell for that Above all Pete was a real family man and he'll be truly missed ... ... rest in peace mate, it was a privilege.
It's part of the sentence marra.....at our time of life,we lose more than we gain. Sad,we cry,but there's always the memories,here forever, to bring a smile.
Me and Pete met at Mansfield College, early 70's, and became instant friends as we were both Sunderland, remained friends ever since. During our first summer we, and a lad called Mark Krasinski, copped a lift to Dover off a lorry driving Consett relative and hitched around France for a month ... ... clueless wasn't a strong enough word but we somehow made it to various beaches, Paris, etc, but spent our first night camping on a roundabout in Calais town centre. Pete was the sensible one
