It was a job he some what stumbled in to but now Peter Taylor would not have it any other way.

For he became the East Lancs Tennis League press officer quite by chance after the previous holder of the post unexpectedly quit midway through the season.

But now he has grasped the challenge with two hands.

It is not the first time he has experienced the unexpected.

"I have always played football," recalled Peter who played for Harle Syke United in the Burnley Sunday School and Burnley and District leagues. "I only took up tennis to keep myself fit during the summer and fell in love with the game.

"I fell in to the sport by chance and loved it. I fell in to this role by chance but now I just what to raise the profile of the league."

After Peter hung up his football boots he carried on with his racquet -- first with Brierfield Tennis Club and then Burnley before a brief spell at Reedley.

Peter returned to Burnley where he became a 'decent B team player' but just as he was beginning to play his best tennis injury curtailed his playing days at the age of 39.

"My shelf life had come to an end. It was a shame because I was starting to play some really good tennis."

But while it may have been the end of his playing days, Peter kept up his love affair with the game and started coaching his son Iain who is now one of the top players in East Lancashire.

He said: "I got Iain playing at the age of 11 and he was something of a natural. I am not a coach so when I took him as far as I could I past him on to Paul White who got him in to the Burnley first team." Peter did make a surprise playing comeback recently in the Burnley Veterans League -- and after 20 minutes he realised it was a mistake. "My back was killing me, my knees went, I couldn't get my breath and I was 4-1 down. Pride took over and I was actually leading 6-5 and had a chance of winning the set.

"I was so glad I didn't!"

However, it is off the court where he is making the biggest impression in his second year as press officer.

He said: "This is a great league to be involved in and president Roger Haworth, treasurer Peter Horrocks and chairman Peter Huntingdon are doing a great job.

"But it is my responsibility to raise the profile of the league. I was thrown in to the job and now I am really enjoying it.

"I am only in my second season have big plans for the future so I intend to carry on this job for some time to come."