A former regional press football reporter who covered the club he used to play for has died aged 78.

Lloyd Harmston wrote for both the Sleaford Target and the Sleaford Standard on the fortunes of Sleaford Town FC, and was a “popular and respected sportsman” in the Lincolnshire town.

He had previously played for the club in his earlier life, and also covered matches of other clubs in Lincolnshire.

Prior to setting up his own design business and working as a sports correspondent for the Target and the Standard, he spent 25 years with agricultural merchant Brown Butlin producing magazines and designing promotional literature for the firm.

Lloyd also produced three books – the histories of Brown Butlin and Sleaford Town Football Club, and a commemorative book to mark his old school Carre’s Grammar School’s 400th anniversary.

He was also named winner of a Service to Sport award and the Sleafordian of the Year award, in recognition of his contribution to sport in the town.

Away from writing and football, Lloyd had been an accomplished keyboard player and tennis coach.

He was married to Joy for 56 years, and had two children, Allan and Carol.