An award-winning football journalist has won promotion to the Premier League after moving from covering a relegated club to reporting on one of their local rivals.

Matt Scrafton has left the Blackpool Gazette, where he has followed the fortunes of Blackpool FC since 2016, to join the newspaper’s National World sister title the Burnley Express.

Blackpool were recently relegated from the Championship, English football’s second tier, to third-tier League One, while their Lancashire rivals Burnley FC were promoted to the Premier League after winning the same division.

At the Express, Matt will take over from Daniel Black following his promotion to North West sports editor at National World.

Matt, pictured, is a former O2 Media North West Sports Journalist of the Year, North West Football Awards Sports Journalist of the Year and Johnston Press Sports Journalist of the Year.

He said: “I’m delighted to be confirmed as the Burnley Express’ new Clarets writer.

“I’ve loved the last seven years covering Blackpool but I felt now was the right time to move on and, once this vacancy arose, I jumped at the opportunity to come on board.

“It’s clearly an exciting time to be covering Burnley and I look forward to chronicling the club’s return to the top flight where I fully expect them to thrive, not just survive under [manager] Vincent Kompany’s stewardship.”

Daniel had covered Burnley, who play at Turf Moor, for 13 years prior to his promotion, while long-serving Express sports editor Chris Boden bowed out from the regional press after a 28-year career last year.

Express editor John Deehan said: “A Premier League football club needs Premier League coverage.

“Matt is an excellent, award-winning writer, who during his seven years covering Blackpool FC has demonstrated a level of dedication and professionalism that has seen him become one of the region’s most respected sports journalists.

“It’s an exciting new era at Turf Moor, and I am delighted Matt is going to be there every step of the way as Burnley look to make their mark once again on the Premier League.

“Chris Boden and Dan Black have both been incredible servants to the paper, and the club, and I know Matt will continue their legacy with passion and integrity.

“I would also like to congratulate Dan on his appointment as North West sports editor. A richly deserved promotion, and a role I know he will excel in.”