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Regional daily sports writer dies suddenly at 56

Tributes have been paid after a chief sports writer at a regional daily died suddenly at the age of 56.

Chris Finn, left, had worked at the Leicester Mercury for for more than 24 years, joining in 1989 as a production journalist and then moving into sport, where he was later promoted to chief sports writer.

His journalism career started at the Middleton Guardian and he went on to work at daily newspapers in Plymouth, Lincoln and Birmingham, before joining the Leicester Mercury.

Tributes have been paid by editor Richard Bettsworth and sporting figures from Leicester in a story published ollowing Chris’ sudden death.

Chris was also recognised with a minute’s applause at Leicester Speedway on Sunday ahead of a race meeting between the Leicester Lions and Belle Vue teams.

Said Richard:  “Everyone at the Mercury has been devastated by Chris’ death and the sadness and shock among his colleagues has been immense. It would be a cliché to say he is sorely missed, but I think Chris would enjoy the cliché.

“He was deeply respected by his colleagues as well as the Leicestershire sporting community. His loss will be keenly felt by all those that knew him.”

He also paid tribute to Chris’ “hard work, talent, professionalism and dedication to Leicestershire sport.”

Former footballer Alan Birchenall, who is a Leicester City ambassador, said: “He was always good company and a real gentleman.

“On behalf of the football club, past and present, all our thoughts go out to his wife and family at this terrible time. He will be sadly missed.”

At the Mercury, Chris played a key role in the development of the title’s Saturday sports publication, the Sporting Blue, for many years and was a champion of grassroots sports.

Chris was known as an authority on motorsport and helped to pioneer the coverage of the reformed Leicester Lions speedway team.

He was the No. 2 in the Mercury’s sports department for the last few years.

Alan Jones, co-promoter of Leicester Lions, said: “Chris became a very good friend to us at Leicester Speedway and was always very approachable, supportive and keen to keep the Lions name to the fore in the pages of the Leicester Mercury.

“Chris had a skill of making interviewees feel at ease through his manner, approach and professionalism. People always warmed to Chris and his wonderful dry sense of humour. He was a true gentleman who became a dear friend and will be sorely missed by everyone at the club.”

Chairman of the Leicestershire and Rutland FA, David Jamieson, added: “Over the years, Chris has been a good friend to grassroots football and his friendly and approachable style was much appreciated by everyone who had the pleasure of meeting and working with him.

“He was often seen at local matches and was always able to engage with everyone involved demonstrating his broad knowledge of our sport in Leicestershire and Rutland.

“It was Chris’ idea that I write my weekly column and the positive and encouraging response I regularly receive shows the understanding that he had of our football community.”

Chris leaves wife Elaine and two grown-up children, Claire and Jon.

7 comments

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  • October 10, 2013 at 9:19 am
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    Chris was a lovely bloke and I am very grateful to him for making me welcome at Leicester office. I was often the butt of his often audacious jokes and jibes which you could not help but take in good heart. Thre was always laughter when he was around but he was kind and caring too. RIP Chris.

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  • October 10, 2013 at 9:49 am
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    I worked alongside Chris on the subs desk at the Merc before he moved to sport. He was a real joker, often at my expense, but was also a talented man who contributed much to the paper over many years.. Another Merc journalist from that era gone too soon.

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  • October 10, 2013 at 10:35 am
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    This is a massive shock. I can’t believe Chris has gone – he was always such a livewire, a real human dynamo. I worked with Chris for three years at the Merc – and used to see him regularly in the Press box at Leicester City. It’s bad enough for his colleagues but his family and friends must be devastated. My heart goes out to them at this terrible time.

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  • October 10, 2013 at 11:45 pm
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    My thoughts and Prayer’s are with his family at this very moment.

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  • October 14, 2013 at 7:11 pm
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    What a lovely man. Huge respect.
    It was a privilege to know him. Very sad & will miss his unique smile and cheery banter.
    Sympathies to Chris’s family & you have every reason to be ever so proud.

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  • October 16, 2013 at 12:09 am
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    I worked with Chris when I was a trainee at the Middleton Guardian in North Manchester. He was the perfect colleague: helpful, patient, knowledgeable, loyal, kind. His impressions of the editor, Alex Holt, were legendary and his hilarious monologues brightened up many a dull day. A top, top bloke.

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  • October 25, 2013 at 5:28 pm
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    Awful news. I remember Chris’s great sense of humour as well as his commitment to good old-fashioned real journalism. Thoughts are with his family and colleagues.

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