A sports reporter who covered on a football club for around half a century has died.

Tributes have been paid to Laurie Teague, who reported on Hereford United for close to 50 years – 30 of them with the Hereford Times.

Laurie, who it is understood was 84, retired in 2000.

A minute’s applause was held in his memory at Hereford’s Edgar Street home ground ahead of their recent match against Guiseley.

Posting on Twitter, former Times head of sport content Paul Rogers said: “Very sad to hear of the death of former Hereford Times Sports reporter Laurie Teague.  A true stalwart of local sport in Herefordshire.”

Andy Holmes, political reporter at BBC Three Counties Radio, who worked as a freelance sports journalist for BBC Hereford and Worcester between 198 and 2000, also posted a tribute.

He said: “Sad to hear the news about former Hereford Times sports editor Laurie Teague.

“A million years ago when I was started out in this business he was an amusing presence in the Edgar Street press box.”