Wharfedale Newspapers sports editor Rachel O’Connor has been honoured for her 40 years’ service with the group.

Rachel joined Wharfedale Newspapers, which publishes the Wharfedale & Airedale Observer and Ilkley Gazette, as a trainee reporter in 1966 and became sports editor nine years later.

To mark the occasion she was presented with a cheque by Charles Birrell, managing director of Newsquest (Bradford), of which Wharfedale Newspapers is part.

He said: “Forty years’ service with one company is certainly something to be proud of and a huge level of commitment by anyone’s standards.”

Rachel (pictured) began working for the company back in the days when it was independently owned by William Walker, and over the years she has seen many changes in the production process, from the days of hot metal through to the electronic and computerised methods used today.

Mel Vasey, editor of Wharfedale Newspapers, said: “Rachel’s commitment to our newspapers, and particularly to the sporting community we serve is second to none.

“From the outset she immersed herself in the local sports scene and has a tremendous record of participation in it.”

When she was 18, Rachel formed and ran Burley Rovers football team, and this set the scene for her involvement in sport. She is a former secretary of Hawksworth Cricket Club table tennis team and an ex-cricket chairman of Yeadon CC.

She is currently programme editor and kit manager for Guiseley Football Club and is secretary of Guiseley Reserves. She is also a member of the Lancashire Football League Management Committee, in which league Guiseley Reserves play.

Earlier this year she became the first woman vice-president of the Wharfedale Football Association. Fittingly, she lives in Yeadon in a street called Football.

Mel said: “Rachel is also renowned for her local knowledge. If a reporter gets stuck on a story, invariably she will know someone who can help.

“She is an object lesson to young reporters that there is nothing to beat the old yardstick of building up a good contacts book.

“In the old days it was not uncommon for people to notch up 50 years’ service as her predecessor did – and I think Rachel might have her eye on that milestone!”

Rachel said: “This is an area rich in sport, and I have found it very interesting, particularly watching young people like Olympic rower Debbie Flood, Yorkshire cricketer Joe Sayers and snooker star Paul Hunter develop into top stars.”