A former regional press sports journalist who went on to work for national papers as well as local radio has died at the age of 77.

Peter Cooper started his career in 1949 at Sheffield’s Morning Telegraph, then the sister paper to The Star, and went on to become a well-known sports journalist.

He left the title in 1960 to spend 25 years as a sports reporter for the Daily Mirror, and he also broadcast for BBC Radio Sheffield over a 38-year period.

Peter’s career also saw him spend time freelancing for the Sunday Express and Sunday Times, while he also did work for Yorkshire Television and became a popular figure at sports dinners, both as a speaker and MC.

Dennis Lound, The Star’s former photographic editor, said: “Peter was one of the all time greats of pen to paper – something that is very rare these days.

“He was a lovely man and I’m pleased to have been around when he was.”

Peter died from bronchiopneumonia and bowel cancer at a nursing home with his three sons by his side.

His son Jonathan, who followed him into journalism, said: “Dad taught us to love football before allegiances to teams and he was never afraid to ask the big questions in his job.

“Wherever he went he developed friendships with backroom staff, football club managers and fans, and players including Jack Charlton and Billy Bremner. Dad was a huge talent – he was the job.”