Former Hartlepool Mail hack Samantha Lee is to be the North-East representative on the National Football Writers’ Association committee.

The 30-year-old covered Hartlepool United for six seasons after four years at The Mirror’s Glasgow office following Rangers and Celtic.

She recently left journalism to set up her own public relations company, Publicity Seekers, but has kept up her shorthand to cover football for The Mail on Sunday on Saturday afternoons.

She said: “It’s a great honour to be invited onto the Association’s national committee as I will be representing the interests of football writers across the region and working closely with all of the North-East clubs.

“This area has always been passionate about football but we have also produced some of the best writers in the game.”

Samantha is treasurer of the North East Football Writers’ Association and organises its annual Player of the Year Awards, won in 2006 by Shay Given.

At the National Association, she will be joined by the cream of the country’s football writers from the likes of The Telegraph, Daily Mail and The Times. One of her first jobs will be to help select English football’s top player.

Sam at Hartlepool United’s Victoria Park ground

The accolade was won by Sir Stanley Matthews in the Association’s inaugural ceremony 60-years ago and last season went to Arsenal’s Thierry Henry.

Samantha formed Publicity Seekers last year alongside former Hartlepool Mail colleague Jonathan Ward.

The pair lead a team of journalists providing communications advice to clients from all sectors, helping to raise their profile in the media.

She added: “Football has always been a big part of my life and it was fantastic to return from Glasgow to cover my home town team.

“I still enjoy reporting on a Saturday afternoon but setting up Publicity Seekers is something I have always been passionate about.” Do you have a story about the regional press?
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