Former Bolton Evening News chief football writer and Bolton Journal editor Frank Booth, has died.

An influential writer, the 68-year-old had been ill for only a short time.

Born in Farnworth, Frank (pictured) started and finished his working career with the Bolton Evening News’ group – spending a decade as the newspaper’s chief football writer.

He began his journalistic career on the Farnworth Journal and later moved to the sports desk at the Bolton Evening News before going on to join the sports staff of the Daily Mirror in Manchester.

In the late 1960s, he returned to his roots to become chief football writer and deputy sports editor of the Bolton Evening News.

His reports of the Wanderers’ games were the main feature in The Buff – the Saturday night sports edition produced by the Bolton Evening News – and he was known by all the players and staff at Burnden Park.

There, he covered the burgeoning careers of players such as Sam Allardyce and Peter Reid among many others, as well as working with a number of managers including Nat Lofthouse, Jimmy Meadows, Jimmy Armfield and Ian Greaves.

After leaving the Evening News in 1979, Frank was one of the founders and first editor of the Bolton Chronicle, which led to him becoming a keen observer of local politics in the town. It also gave him the opportunity to keep in touch with, and cover, the activities of the Wanderers.

When Frank and his associates finally relinquished their interest in the Chronicle, he became editor of weekly publications in Rossendale and Burnley.

In the 1980s, Reed bought the Bolton Evening News, a move that eventually led to Frank returning to Bolton, where he was appointed editor of the Bolton Journal and head of commercial features. He remained in that post until 2003, when he retired.

Frank was well-respected by his journalistic colleagues and was well-known in the Northern offices of all the major daily newspapers that were produced in Manchester.

Steve Hughes, editor of the Bolton Evening News, praised Frank as “one of the last of the old school of journalism, maintaining the highest standards of professionalism and integrity”.

He said: “Frank returned to work at the Evening News after retiring, bringing his own blend of experience and good humour to the office and to our publications.

“He was popular with his colleagues and with the public, who warmed to his genuine interest in the town and the people. He will certainly be sadly missed.”

Frank leaves a wife Barbara, daughter Helen and son David.

His funeral will take place on Thursday, with a service held at Holy Trinity Church, Prestolee, at 12.15pm before committal at the East Chapel of Overdale Crematorium at 1.15pm.

The family have requested no flowers but donations, if so desired, by cheque only to: “HDU North Manchester General Hospital”, c/o Silletts, Spring Lane, Radcliffe, Manchester, M26 2TQ.