Mr Deadline Day

Jim White tells us why transfer deadline day has become "huge" for Sky Sports News.

Presenter tells us why he's revved up for Tuesday

The transfer window slams shut at 11pm on Tuesday evening and, as usual, Sky Sports News HD will be at the heart of all the big stories. And, as usual, Jim White will be on air as the clock ticks down to bring you news of all of the breaking deals. It's become one of the most exciting days of the year on Sky Sports News and drama is guaranteed as clubs scramble to bring in the players they need for the rest of the season. So we caught up with Jim - aka Mr Deadline Day - to get his verdict on what could be in store this year.

You've emerged as the "face" of Deadline Day in the last few years. Is that something you enjoy?
JIM: It's mad, isn't it? I can't actually believe how big it's become. I've found since mid-December that people are asking me in the street if I'm looking forward to Deadline Day. Honestly, it's so flattering and it brings me down to earth with a real jolt. I was up at Blackburn Rovers last week and even the players were asking me whether Deadline Day was going to be busy. It's become a huge day and it's great that it's become that. I love it. Is it exciting to be in the presenter's chair?
JIM: Oh yes, because of the unpredictability of it. When you come in the building three or four hours before going on air you've got a rough idea of how things are shaping up, but sometimes those hours are of no significance when you go on because things roll on so quickly. As well as presenting the news, do you spend much time chasing stories yourself?
JIM: Absolutely. The way I look at it is that I'm not just presenting it, but I have a responsibility to source stories myself because I know so many people in the game. I'm on the phone during every commercial break, talking to people right down to the last second - and then trying to remain relatively composed when I come back on. I wouldn't want to go on air and not do that and I love the non-stop involvement. Having said that, I do get occasional friends phoning me up during the break asking me if certain rumours are true. I have to politely tell them to hang up so that I can get back to the job in hand! How big is the contacts list in your phone?
JIM: It is pretty extensive nowadays because I know so many players and managers. It's great being able to go right to the root to try and get a yes or a no. The key is to make sure we never go on air with a story if we're only 97 or 98 per cent certain. We've got to be sure. What's it like behind the scenes in the Sky Sports News studios on Deadline Day?
JIM: It's pretty hectic. There are so many people involved who are just as flat out as I am and these guys can't be forgotten. For example, the moment we get a possibility that a player could be involved in a deal we need to go and unearth material on him - and we want it 15 seconds ago! There's a big responsibility on everybody working on the channel and I've noticed in recent years that those guys are really psyched up and they know the importance of it all. There's so many great folk here and we're all in it together. And what about the reporters who are outside in the cold all day trying to get the big stories?
JIM: At 54 years of age, I'm glad I'm sat in the studio, but the buzz is also great for the guys out there