A journalist who covered one of England’s leading football clubs for almost 40 years and “inspired a generation” of sports reporters has died aged 88.
Tributes have been paid to David Meek, former chief Manchester United writer at the Manchester Evening News, after his death was announced this morning.
David, pictured, covered the club from the aftermath of the 1958 Munich air disaster, which claimed the lives of 11 United players and staff, into some of the club’s most successful years in the 1990s.
So revered was David, who retired in 1996, that his name was trending on Twitter following the announcement of his death by Sunday People chief football writer Steve Bates.
A tribute posted from the MEN’s Manchester United News account read: “Sad news reaching us this morning that former MEN Chief United writer David Meek has died.
“He covered United from 1958 up until his retirement in 1996 and inspired a generation of football journalists.”
While with the MEN, David was responsible for ghost writing the matchday programme notes for every United manager from Sir Matt Busby to Sir Alex Ferguson.
He also co-wrote an official history of the club.
In a statement, United said: “We are saddened to learn that former journalist and friend of the club, David Meek, has passed away.
“David covered United for over 50 years, was a long-time United Review columnist, and helped write Sir Alex’s programme notes. Our thoughts are with his loved ones at this time.”
Fellow journalists have taken to Twitter to pay tribute.
Stuart Mathieson, David’s successor at the MEN, said: “Very sad to hear that David Meek has passed away. Always available for advice when I took over in MUFC MEN role.
“Meeky tours on Champions League aways were legendary. A coffee and a cathedral visit cured many a hangover. A great man. God bless.”
Stuart Brennan, the MEN’s current chief Manchester City writer, added: “His words probably inspired me more than anyone else to enter this profession, and when I later met him he was a lovely, helpful soul, a true gentleman. A sad day.”
And Daily Telegraph chief football writer Sam Wallace added: “David Meek was a lovely man. For one so experienced he never lost his sense of wonder at the game and its characters.
“He was always interested in what you had wrote, or heard. Even the most callow reporters, as we all were when first we met him.”
A sad loss. he wrote so well and covered United’s difficult years as well as their glory times with the same great style. RIP.
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Always came across as a thoroughly decent man. Remember David saying once that after covering a home match United had lost that he was delighted with the way his report flowed, but someone had a go at him for looking happy as he left the ground. He said that confirmed he knew he was doing the job right, as (despite obviously gaining a strong attachment to the club) his journalistic standards meant more to him than a win for United. Goodness knows what he made of the clickbait “here’s five things we learned…” generation.
RIP
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