
The Ghost
In Search of My Father the Football Legend
Yellow Jersey Press
Published on 7. June 2012
Book
Paperback/Softback
336 pages
978-0-224-08300-3 (ISBN)
Description
When Spurs legend John White was killed by a bolt of lightning in 1964, the football world was rocked by the tragedy. He was just 27 years of age.
Nicknamed the 'Ghost' for the way that he could drift into space undetected, White played an inspirational role in the great double-winning Tottenham Hotspur side of the early 1960s. Every fan has a story about him.
When White died, his son, Rob, was only six months old and so never knew his father. The man who was revered by hundreds of thousands of football fans across the country was a stranger to him. Beyond the grainy Cup Final footage and yellowed newspaper articles, there was so much Rob didn't know, questions he had never had an opportunity to ask. To find answers he set out to speak to White's former teammates, his family and followers, and built up a touching portrait of a gifted young footballer and of a lost era.
'Had John lived, he could have been one of the greatest footballers of all time' - Jimmy Greaves
With a new afterword for the paperback.
Nicknamed the 'Ghost' for the way that he could drift into space undetected, White played an inspirational role in the great double-winning Tottenham Hotspur side of the early 1960s. Every fan has a story about him.
When White died, his son, Rob, was only six months old and so never knew his father. The man who was revered by hundreds of thousands of football fans across the country was a stranger to him. Beyond the grainy Cup Final footage and yellowed newspaper articles, there was so much Rob didn't know, questions he had never had an opportunity to ask. To find answers he set out to speak to White's former teammates, his family and followers, and built up a touching portrait of a gifted young footballer and of a lost era.
'Had John lived, he could have been one of the greatest footballers of all time' - Jimmy Greaves
With a new afterword for the paperback.
Reviews / Votes
Deeply personal - a touching, heartfelt story -- Gary Imlach A special book about a special man * Independent on Sunday * One of the most affecting sports books of the year -- Matt Dickinson * The Times * A gorgeous and moving story -- Tom English * Scotland on Sunday * Colourful and, at times, moving * Four Four Two * This book deserves to be read -- Jimmy Greaves Heartfelt and compelling, and includes some superb evocations of football in a bygone era -- David Evans * Independent on Sunday * Emotional. [A] marvellously telling and touching book * When Saturday Comes *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Vintage Publishing
Product notice
Paperback (UK-B)
Dimensions
Height: 197 mm
Width: 133 mm
Thickness: 22 mm
Weight
238 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-224-08300-3 (9780224083003)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

E-Book
07/2012
1st Edition
Vintage Digital
€14.99
Available for download
Persons
Julie Welch is the critically lauded author of Those Glory, Glory Days, 26.2: Running the London Marathon and Out On Your Feet: The World of Hundred-mile Walking.
Rob White is a professional photographer. The Ghost of White Hart Lane is his first book.
Rob White is a professional photographer. The Ghost of White Hart Lane is his first book.