A sports editor who successfully lobbied to improve the standard of pies at football matches has retired from journalism.
Charlie Allan, left, of the Aberdeen Evening Express, has left the industry after 27 years.
Last year, Aberdeen FC promised to improve their catering facilities after Charlie wrote a column complaining about cold half-time pies.
He was also notable for wearing a disguise to interview players after previously being barred by the same club, and has also been banned from Dundee United’s Tannadice stadium in the past.
Charlie, 58, worked his last day at the Evening Express earlier this month.
He told the newspaper: “The one and only success I had as a journalist in 27 years was when I wrote a column about the cold pies at [Aberdeen’s home ground] Pittodrie, which prompted the club to change the pies they served.
“I was on the panel alongside [former Scotland football manager] Craig Brown, and we chose the mince pie from Thain’s Bakery.
“They are magnificent and the best pies in the land, better than any other you will find in any football stadium in Scotland.”
Sign up for our free daily email bulletin
Follow HTFP on Twitter
Got a story? Email the Editor at
An absolute legend of Scottish sports journalism and a pleasure to work with. Charlie’s contacts and stories were unrivalled and his sense of fun and mischief always kept us on our toes. I remember very fondly printing life-size Charlie masks to smuggle hundreds of Charlies into Tannadice to beat a ban. Great days! Enjoy your retirement, Charlie.
Report this comment
Being banned by two clubs shows he was doing his job properly and the pies success is better than a Pulitzer! Hats off.
Report this comment