Fallen Idle

Peter Marinello was the footballing sensation of 1970. His record GBP100,000 transfer from Hibernian to Arsenal made front page headlines and he was instantly hailed as the new George Best. Within weeks of his move, he had appeared on 'Top of the Pops', secured a modelling contract and had his own football column in the "Daily Express". But drinking and reckless behaviour -- he was kidnapped in Nigeria while on tour with Hibs and lost his virginity in front of six team mates -- were already a part of his life. In three years at Arsenal, Marinello played only 51 games and was eventually transferred to Portsmouth. More drinking, involvement with gangsters, his wife running off with a DJ, swindled out of all his money, bankruptcy, threats to shoot someone, being arrested for attempted murder, having to buy heroin for his addicted son! From the highs, Peter Marinello's life plummeted to terrible lows until he pulled his life back round. He now spends his time nursing his chronically ill wife and is still involved at youth level with the game he loves. It is an extraordinary story.