A sports journalist who spent three decades covering a football club for a regional daily has been honoured at a match.
Gordon Sharrock, pictured left, recently retired from The Bolton News after a 45 year career in newspapers, 30 of which were spent covering Bolton Wanderers.
He was the guest of honour at Saturday’s game against Birmingham City, which his family also attended.
Gordon, who started out in journalism at the Leigh Journal, became the Wanderers reporter for the Bolton daily in 1978, covering them for 30 years, before becoming the deputy sports editor in 2008.
At the match, Gordon was presented with a special glass momento depicting the Reebok Stadium, now known as the Macron Stadium, and Burnden Park – where he experienced the highs and lows of the team over the years.
He told his former title: “It was a lovely gesture from the club. It has been a great honour covering them down the years for my local paper.”
At the match on Saturday, Gordon met with chairman Phil Gartside and vice-chairman Brett Warburton, who presented him with the momento of his time covering the club.
He then went out on the pitch to make the half-time Golden Gamble draw with former Wanderers midfielder Tony Kelly.
Gordon was also quizzed by comedian and compere Norman Prince in the Platinum Suite, where he recounted some of the famous players he had dealt with, from Frank Worthington to Youri Djorkaeff.
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Happy retirement to you Gordon.
For those who don’t know him, he’s of the those heroes of local sports journalism who serve their communities quietly and diligently, week-in, week-out with great passion and enthusiasm.
Thanks for the help and steers with Bolton-related stories over the years. I’m sure there’ll be many a handshake in any future Press Rooms you find yourself in.
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One of a very, very long-serving sports desk. Happy retirement, Gordon!
BTW, ed, it’s MEmento…
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I was at the Leigh Journal when Gordon started and later we both ended up at the Bolton Evening News. As I look back more and more I realise how lucky I was to work with some wonderful people there. And Gordon was right at the top. I’ve never forgotten how he stood up for me when once I inadvertently got myself in a bit of bother with the NUJ. Have a long and happy retirement, mate. If anyone deserves it you do.
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Have a great retirement Gordon. Is that you on the right of the picture?
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Journeyed with you Gordon on some of those 30 years, although not in the comfort of the “heated press boxes” – more on the rain-lashed pitches behind the nets with my camera. Those Burnden Park years were very special, so were the ‘Leigh mafia’ on the BEN Sports Desk! All the best Gordon. Derek
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Nice gesture by the Wanderers. Welcome to the Leigh Mafia retirement home GSWANDS
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