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Regional daily in England World Cup scoop

A sports reporter who started working at a regional daily paper just six weeks ago scored a major World Cup exclusive after an interview with Paul Scholes.

Chris Lynham made his mark in the new role at the Oldham Evening Chronicle after the Manchester United midfielder told him the request for him to return to international football this summer had come too late.

And his exclusive interview hit the national headlines when it was picked up by newspapers including the Guardian, the Independent, and the Sun, along with Sky News and the BBC.

In the interview with Chris, Scholes revealed the reasons why he turned down the chance to make a dramatic comeback for England after retiring from international football six years ago.

The footballer said the call from Fabio Capello had come too late and if he had been asked earlier, he probably would have accepted.

Said Chris: “My sports editor sent me along to a local amateur football club called Chadderton Park FC who were unveiling their new changing rooms that had just been built.

“Paul Scholes has quite strong ties to Oldham. He used to play cricket when he was younger just around the corner from the football ground.

“With the World Cup coming up, I was sent along to have a chat about the World Cup and to ask him about his take on England’s chances but also about these rumours he had been asked to come out of international retirement.

“I didn’t know if he would talk to me as he has the reputation as the quietest man in football. He has always shied away from the spotlight.

“We had a chat about Chadderton Park FC first, about the facilities, and then we got onto England.

“I was very pleased to get the exclusive. I think it was luck in a way that he was willing to talk but I was very pleased.”

Chris, 26, previously worked at weekly the Tameside Reporter in Stalybridge for eight years, where he was sports editor then deputy editor.

Comments

Alan Salter (09/06/2010 14:22:47)
What, a reporter LEAVING the office???? Whatever next?

Creosote Arthur (10/06/2010 10:14:11)
Nice one Alan Salter – way to be a wet blanket.
Honestly, there are so many prunes in local journalism.
Well done Chris!

Journo1 (11/06/2010 10:47:46)
The opening par makes it sound like Mr Lynham is a trainee or junior reporter and then you find out he was a sports editor for eight years! Not that impressive is it? Well done on getting the exclusive though.