Chief sports writer Tony Garnett has retired from the East Anglian Daily Times after 46 years working for owners Archant.

Tony has covered Ipswich Town for the past 42 years, during which time at various stages he has been sports editor of both the East Anglian Daily Times and Evening Star as well as the Green ‘Un football paper.

Labelled a “legend” by colleagues, Tony has reported on Ipswich Town playing under nine different managers from Ramsey to Joe Royle and has probably watched more Town matches than anyone else in the history of the club.

Picture: Archant

His association with the football club has spanned from when they stunned the football world by lifting the Division One league championship in 1961-62 under Alf Ramsey, to when they won the FA Cup in 1978 and the UEFA Cup in 1981 when Bobby Robson was manager – and finally regained their top-flight status in the Premiership in 2000 with George Burley at the helm.

His editor, Terry Hunt, said: “I actually joined the EADT wanting Tony’s job!

“Having recognised that I would never have the talent to play for my beloved Ipswich Town, I reckoned the next best thing was to get paid for watching them play. That was 25 years ago, and I still haven’t achieved that ambition…

“It has been a joy working with Tony. His professionalism, integrity, and enthusiasm – even after nearly half a century in the job – are something for all young journalists to aspire to.”

Sports editor Nick Garnham added: “I will always be grateful to Tony for giving me my first break in newspaper journalism nearly 25 years ago.

“It is ironic how he was my boss for several years when I finally landed a full-time post on the sports desk and for the past seven years I have been his manager.

“Some people may have resented that, but not Tony who has always been there to offer his support and advice and I will certainly miss not having his experience to call upon.”

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