Former Rugby Advertiser sports editor Eddy Pincham has died, aged 61.

The popular journalist, who worked at the Advertiser for more than 20 years in three spells, had suffered a suspected heart attack.

He first started at the Advertiser as a teaboy in 1959, and went on to become a reporter, news editor and sub-editor before moving to the sports desk.

Advertiser editor Peter Aengenheister said: “Eddy loved his sport and that came across strongly in his professionalism and enthusiasm to do the best possible job for his readers.

“It was also clear to me that he had built up very strong relationships with representatives from the clubs and organisations covered in our sports pages – and he was very popular.

“The thoughts of those of us who knew him and are still associated with the paper are very much with his widow Wendy, daughter Jo and the family.”

After his first stint at the Advertiser, Eddy went on to work for the Leicester Advertiser and Leicester Mercury.

He returned to Rugby in 1974, but later took a break from journalism to run a convenience store and off-licence with his wife.

In 1985 he rejoined the Advertiser, and worked as a reporter then sports editor before he was made redundant in 1991.

He went on to work for Gray’s sports in Rugby, but being on his feet all day led to him needing his leg – damaged by polio as an 18-month-old child – amputated.

His penultimate job was as a proof reader and sub at Varorium in Rugby and when it closed he joined DHP in Daventry, which among other things produces fishing magazines.