A professional footballer who went on to cover the club he played for as a regional daily’s chief sportswriter has died aged 78.

Tributes have been paid to Paul Hince, who became an English champion with Manchester City in 1968 and was later attached to the club as a correspondent for the Manchester Evening News.

Paul also played for Charlton Athletic, Bury, Crewe Alexandra and Macclesfield Town during his football career.

After joining the MEN in 1971, he served in various roles including Manchester City correspondent and later chief sportswriter, the position he held upon his retirement from journalism in 2006.

The MEN’s current chief reporter Neal Keeling told the newspaper: “Paul was the old school kind of journalist I aspired to be when I joined the MEN – sleeves rolled up, cigarette on the go, typing furiously.

“He also had an impeccable pedigree as a sport reporter for the MEN — he played for Manchester City.

“He had a presence in the newsroom, sharp witted, fearless, very knowledgeable and passionate about his craft.

“He wished me luck after being dispatched to Old Trafford to get the reaction of [Manchester] United fans to the takeover by the Glazers. Once at the ground stewards were trying to keep me off the forecourt as I spoke to fans.

“I thought what would Paul Hince do… I stuck at it and got the quotes from angry fans. I got back to the office and he was first to ask how I had got on, smiling broadly when I told him about the ruck with United’s security.

“Paul was a terrific writer – provocative and often bloody funny too.”

Paul, who died on Saturday, previously spoke to HTFP about how he was “conned” into a career in football after starting out as a cub reporter on the Ashton Reporter when he left grammar school.

He had declined a trial with City, the club he supported as a boy, after a scout saw him playing as an amateur in his spare time.

However, he then agreed to “help out” the reserve side after being told they were short of players – and was subsequently given a six-match trial.

Reflecting on his time in both careers, Paul said: “Journalism is a damn sight easier – I’ve never had a bad game in the press box – and in my match reports I try not to criticise as I know how hard it is.”