A regional daily has poached a football reporter from a rival title to cover the same club.

George Hodgson has left Reach plc website Lancs Live to join National World’s Preston-based daily the Lancashire Post.

He will cover Preston North End for the Post, as he previously did for Lancs Live.

George, who trained at the University of Central Lancashire, joined Lancs Live as its Preston North End writer in 2019 following the site’s launch.

George Hodgson, left, interviews PNE goalkeeper Freddie Woodman

He will replace Tom Sandells, who announced his departure from the Post last month after four years with the newspaper and a year in his most recent role.

Tom has since undertaken some work with BBC Radio Lancashire covering Fleetwood Town.

George told HTFP: “It’s always been a privilege to cover my hometown, boyhood club, so the opportunity to do that for a title of the Lancashire Post’s reputation fills me with great pride.

“I’ll keep striving to report on PNE the very best I can.”