A football reporter has left his role in order to spend more time with his family after admitting the job had “taken over his life”.

Ashley Preece has announced his departure from the Birmingham Mail, where he has covered Aston Villa for the past four years.

Ashley, pictured, has taken the decision in order to be able to spend more time with his daughter Penny.

He is now set to return to news reporting, which he has previously done for both the Mail and the Tamworth Herald.

In an editorial about his decision, Ashley wrote: “I have [Reach deputy managing editor for sport] Mat Kendrick to thank for believing in me back in 2019. ‘How do you fancy being our new Villa writer, Ash?’ was how it went.

“I initially thought it was a wind-up given Mat had turned me down on two separate occasions having applied for roles on the football desk.

“Mat added: ‘I know I’ve p****d on your chips a couple of times before but I think you’d be a really good fit.’”

His departure comes after Villa qualified for next season’s Europa Conference League.

Ashley added: “I’m going on a bit here and I’m getting emotional. I just want to say thank you to you, the fans, who have made these past four years incredibly special.

“I’ll miss doing the Q&As, the podcasts and the whole job in general. Being a Villa-mad kid who had his old room on Dyas Road decked out in official wallpaper and bedding, there’s no better job in football than being the Aston Villa reporter for the Birmingham Mail.

“As to why I’m standing down with those special European nights not too far away, it’s down to one thing: family. Penny’s not so little anymore and I want to spend my weekends with her.

“I feel like I’ve missed a lot. The Villa job takes over your life, trust me.

“It’d be impossible to thank all of those who have helped me but Steve Wollaston, my gaffer, has been incredible for the support and faith he’s given me across the last four years. I’ll also miss my colleagues in the press box whom I’ve always looked up to.”

Fell football writer John Townley has now taken over from Ashley as Aston Villa reporter at the newspaper.

In his own editorial, John wrote: “My career covering Villa is only getting started and I can’t wait to build on Ashley Preece’s excellent work.

“Ashley didn’t have to take me under his wing a few weeks into his four-year stint as Villa correspondent, but he always responded to my nagging emails and gave pointers where he could to a wannabe reporter finding his way in the industry. Above all else, Ashley set the benchmark for our coverage.

“He made his mark amongst the brilliant pack of local and national reporters who we’re lucky to have covering Villa, and I promise to bring my qualities to serve you with the best possible coverage of the football club.”