A regional publisher is recruiting 76 journalists across the country in an expansion of its sports coverage.

Reach plc has announced the recruitment drive to help it provide more in-depth coverage of some of the country’s biggest football clubs.

Reach has revealed plans to create more standalone fan websites in the mould of Liverpool.com, which it launched in 2019 for fans of Liverpool FC.

The publisher says the expansion will also feature “increased specialist coverage beyond football”.

Jon Birchall, pictured, Reach’s audience and content director (sport), said: “We’re so proud of what the team has achieved this year.

“Now we want to bring more views, a wider range of expertise and more round the clock coverage on both our national and regional brands.

“Our ambition is to not only continue to serve our readers, viewers and listeners but also attract new fans and communities.

“We can only do this with a diverse team and encourage applications from people with a love of sport, even if they think they don’t fit the traditional mould.

“We can’t wait to hear from new, exciting voices in the industry.”