Years ago, the Burnley Express used to present a Sportsman of the Year and it was usually presented on the Turf.

Not sure who is on the pic holding the trophy but the two either side are former sports editors from the paper, Don Smith to the left and Keith McNee to the right. I met Don a couple of times but his reporting was before my time, Keith was a good friend.

I think that is Keith Hall who was Burnley Express editor about 50 years ago.

ShakyLee wrote: ↑

Fri Feb 24, 2023 4:13 pm

I think that is Keith Hall who was Burnley Express editor about 50 years ago.

Thanks for that, I didn't know him at all.

ShakyLee wrote: ↑

Fri Feb 24, 2023 4:13 pm

I think that is Keith Hall who was Burnley Express editor about 50 years ago.

Definitely Keith Hall.
I think he was editor till the mid 1980s. He sadly died about 15 years ago at a relatively young age. (70 I think)
A very good bloke.

nil_desperandum wrote: ↑

Fri Feb 24, 2023 4:48 pm

Definitely Keith Hall.
I think he was editor till the mid 1980s. He sadly died about 15 years ago at a relatively young age. (70 I think)
A very good bloke.

I think Keith was only around 52 when he died in 1987.

ClaretTony wrote: ↑

Fri Feb 24, 2023 8:27 pm

I think Keith was only around 52 when he died in 1987.

I think you've got the wrong man.
I found this
https://www.holdthefrontpage.co.uk/2007 ... er-battle/

nil_desperandum wrote: ↑

Fri Feb 24, 2023 8:57 pm

I think you've got the wrong man.
I found this
https://www.holdthefrontpage.co.uk/2007 ... er-battle/

Just me not making my post clear because two of the three were called Keith. It was Keith McNee who died after a stroke in August 1987.

Worked with all three. Keith Hall was my editor throughout my time at the Burnley Express in the 70s. Took over from Don in the Express sports department, working with the incomparable Peter Higgs, and shared an Evening Star/Lancashire Evening Telegraph office with Keith McNee