A former rugby league correspondent and jazz music columnist at a regional daily has died aged 87.
Tributes have been paid to Jack McNamara, formerly of the Manchester Evening News, who was at the point of his retirement the longest-serving journalist covering one specialist sport.
Jack first began at the MEN when he moved to England from New Zealand in 1954 and remained there until retiring in 1990.
His friend and successor as rugby league correspondent at the paper, George Dowson, paid tribute to “a great and legendary journalist”.
George, who first met Jack while covering the sport for the Salford City Reporter, said: “I was always in awe of Jack. He was such a highly popular figure in rugby league circles. He was very well-known and he had a great reputation. Everyone trusted him from coaches down to players.
“He also had a very strong passion for jazz music and also wrote a fine column on this for the paper.
“As a rugby league reporter, he was up there with the best.
“I also regarded it as a great honour to have the opportunity to join the sports desk at the M.E.N. and to work alongside him.
“No-one could have been like Jack, he was very special and a great friend and colleague. He did so much to help promote the game.
“He was a pleasure to work with.”
Jack’s funeral is likely to be held early in the New Year.
He is survived by wife Pam, daughter Ann and grandson Jackson.
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So sad to hear of the passing of Jack. He was a wonderful character with an infectiously cheery disposition. When newspapers were packed with talent, he was up there with the best.
He will be sadly missed.
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It was a pleasure to have worked alongside him at the MEN. A true professional with a great sense of humour.
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Sadly missed. I worked with Jack(as a photographer] on the MEN, for many years, and shared his love of jazz. He was a pleasure to work with, great sense of humour, and true professional at his job. He told me he only came to England for a short stay, but was still here until retirement. When I once asked him why he had stayed, he said ” … why would anyone want to live in New Zealand- there’s only hills and sheep there….” I’ll miss you Jack.
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Goodbye Jack. I was so sad to hear the news of his death. I worked alongside him mainly through the 70s during my time on the Rugby Leaguer and all my memories of him are of a good, honest and fun person. We travelled to matches together, and, as a young reporter, I was always in awe of his immense knowledge of the sports . . . something he was always happy to share. I’ll miss you Jack. But the cherished and happy memories will always be with me. God bless.
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Legend may be an over used journalistic cliche – but not in Jack’s case. I first came across Jack when he gave our junior Height amateur RL club in Salford much needed publicity in the Pink in the late 60s. Then he became a good friend when I played for his favourite club Rochdale Hornets before we worked closely together for almost 30 years covering Rugby League. He was trusted by players, coaches and journalist colleagues. He was a gregarious but modest man with a wispish sense of humour. On a particularly bumpy flight in Australia covering a RL tour the air hostess asked:”Would anyone like anything to read?” Jack replied instantly:”Have you got the bible ?” Always helpful to younger journalists Jack was renowned for his farewell comment-“Keep writing that good stuff, I enjoy reading it!” RIP Jack.
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