Tributes have been paid to Phil Rostron, the former sports editor of the News & Star and The Cumberland News, who has died.
The journalist and author was 70.
Mr Rostron worked for Cumbrian Newspapers from 2008 to 2018, after a career in newspapers which started in his home town Oldham.
He went on to enjoy a long career in Fleet Street with the Daily Express and Daily Star.
He then joined the Yorkshire Evening Post as chief sports writer in 1999 and went on to become sports editor at the Leeds-based title, before his move to Cumbria nine years later.
Mr Rostron also wrote a number of books on Leeds United, as well as ghostwriting the autobiography of football manager Barry Fry and another book with the great racing trainer Henry Cecil.
He also, through his work, became close to legendary footballers such as Leeds and Scotland great Peter Lorimer.
His family said: “Phil Rostron was an award winning journalist and legend and his greatest gift to us - his family - was that little (big) spark of madness that makes life more fun and funny, and his legacy will live on.
“The Cheltenham Cup, the Grand National, Oldham Athletic and the Cricket World Cup have all lost a lifelong fan – and the world is a little quieter without his big smile and big laugh.”
Mr Rostron, who had been suffering from cancer, is also being fondly remembered by former colleagues.
Anne Pickles, a long-standing colleague at both the Yorkshire Evening Post and the News & Star / The Cumberland News, said: “He was known to most as Big Phil. The reasons were obvious.
“Phil Rostron was a big man in every respect. His smile was huge, his laugh outrageously loud. His love of and enthusiasm for all sport was enormous and unrivalled.
“A career spanning 18 years on Fleet Street, five books, sports editor on any number of regional newspapers and counting top sporting personalities among his close friends, Phil had the natural gift of stardust. He sprinkled it generously and widely.
“I’ll remember him principally, though, as a great friend of 30+ years. A kind, funny, loyal, compassionate family man. He leaves his wife Caroline, his daughters Jo and Hollie, his son Gary, his beloved grandkids, legions of friends - and journalism - the poorer for his loss.”
David Helliwell, former editor of the News & Star and The Cumberland News, added: “Phil loved sport and he loved journalism.
“The Cumberland News and News & Star were fortunate to have someone of his huge experience of covering major sports clubs and events at the helm of the sportsdesk.
“Phil was the definition of what you might term an old school journalist. He was a firm believer that when the work was done, the final words crafted and the back page perfected, there was no better way to unwind than to head off to the bar to re-live the whole day and its triumphs and minor tragedies. He was rarely short of an audience.
“One of Phil’s greatest skills was he was a genuine guy who found pleasure in just talking to people and would have no qualms about stepping into any new situation and sparking a conversation.
“He was also a kind, caring man, extremely proud of his family and their achievements. A very sad loss.”
Phil Hay, the former chief football writer at the YEP and now Leeds United correspondent at The Athletic, said: “Phil’s one of the people I owe my career to.
“He took a chance on me twice and he was a great sports editor to work under – big on key stories, very happy to take people on, not afraid to upset anyone who deserved it.
“His job interviews were legendary and the best you could ask for: a few pints over the road from the old Yorkshire Evening Post building on Wellington Street in Leeds as he sussed you out.
“I went home steaming from mine but with a very generous job offer too.
“He seemed to love the cut and thrust of the newsroom and it was hard to imagine him ever doing anything else.
“He’ll go down in the history of regional journalism as the man who stuck Terry Venables’ face on a pear (along with the headline ‘It’s all going pear-shaped at Elland Road’).
“That was his forte and his time - 8.45am in the morning, sitting down to do the back page before the first edition went to print. That’s what made local papers what they were.”
Mr Rostron lived in Scotby during his time in Cumbria and was a regular in the village's Royal Oak pub.
He leaves wife Caroline, their three children Jo, Gary and Hollie, son-in-laws Silv and Olivier and grandchildren Luca and Bella.
His funeral will be held on Monday 11th April at Stonefall Crematorium, Harrogate at 3.40 pm, with a celebration of his life afterwards at the Pavilions of Harrogate, HG2 8NZ.
The family is requesting family flowers only and, because of the amazing care shown to Phil and support for Caroline, hope to raise money for St Gemma’s Hospice and have set up a donation site here: https://philrostron.muchloved.com/
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