A former editor of the Chronicle has written a memoir describing the highlights of his 45-year career in journalism.
In his book You Can’t Libel the Dead , Neil Benson tells the inside story of some of the big news events from his time in Newcastle, including the assassination of gangster Viv Graham and the glory days of Kevin Keegan’s Entertainers.
Neil said: "My seven years at Newcastle Chronicle & Journal Ltd in the 1990s was one of the most memorable times in my career. Tyneside is one of the newsiest places in the country and the football club was undergoing an amazing transformation, on and off the field. There was never a dull moment.
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"But it wasn’t just the big news and the football, there were so many fun stories about everyday people too. I felt my job was to present our readers with a tasty slice of Tyneside life every night."
Neil, 67, says other vivid memories include being at St James’s Park to witness Newcastle’s 5-0 thrashing of Manchester United and the day he was served with a £1 million libel writ.
"In one way it was laughable, because it was such a ridiculous sum. But at the same time it made me gulp quite hard. I’m glad to say that in the end I didn’t have to pay anything!"
While editor of the Chronicle, Neil was responsible for reviving the Sunshine Fund, which now raises £450,000 a year for deserving children in the region. "It’s been wonderful to see the fund go from strength to strength. From small beginnings, I never imagined it could reach heights like this."
Neil says that of all the places he has worked, the North East has a special place in his heart. "Apart from having a wonderful time as a journalist, two of my children were born in Hexham, and my sons saw their first live football match at St James’ Park. They’re Newcastle fans, of course."
Neil’s career began at his hometown paper The Star , in Sheffield, and took him to the Daily Express , in Manchester, the Bradford Telegraph & Argus , the Northampton Chronicle & Echo and the Evening Gazette , Teesside.
His book tells how, as a young reporter, he covered a horrific mass murder, and how his paper unmasked a popular priest as a serial paedophile. He was also involved in coverage of the Bradford City fire tragedy and came face-to-face with a notorious armed robber.
"I go into the big stories in some depth – there’s a chapter dedicated to The Entertainers - and I also try to give an insight into the job of an editor and the challenges you face while in the hot seat.
"But most of all I’ve tried to capture the many funny stories and the colourful characters I met along the way. There were some tough moments but, more than anything, it’s been an enormous amount of fun."
You Can’t Libel the Dead by Neil Benson is available from online book stores, price £10.95.
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