A regional journalist described as “one of the most gifted sports writers who chose not to take his skills to the national press” has died aged 81.

Tributes have been paid to Oliver Phillips, former sports editor and assistant editor at the Watford Observer.

During his time with the Observer, Oliver reported on more than 2,000 Watford Football Club matches and wrote several books about the team, who are nickned The Hornets, as well as many others about the history of the town of Watford.

Oliver, who counted former Watford FC chairman Elton John as a friend, died peacefully at his home in France surrounded by his family in the early hours of Thursday morning.

His death came less than a fortnight after he was among the contributors to a special edition of the Observer marking its 160 years in print.

Writing about his time at the paper, he said: “I remember it as a happy place. The Watford Observer helped but I had a 45-year career in which I never had a Monday morning feeling.”

Oliver was also honoured by Watford Borough Council, who added him to its list of 100 people who made the town of Watford as part of its celebrations to mark its centenary last year.

And Watford FC announced they would be naming their media suite after the man who spent most of his working life in press boxes all around the country.

In an obituary, the Observer’s current Watford FC correspondent Andrew French wrote: “Widely regarded as one of the most gifted sports writers who chose not to take his skills to the national press, Oli covered Watford for more than 40 years and was regarded as the oracle on the club.

“He reported on more than 2,000 matches and wrote several books about the club, as well as many others about the history of the town of Watford.

“Oli built tremendous working relationships with countless Watford managers, not least Graham Taylor, chronicling the club’s rise under the former England boss from Division Four to Division One, an FA Cup and European football.

“Former Hornets chairman Elton John was another man that Oli counted as a friend. Indeed, when Oli celebrated his 80th birthday, Elton recorded a personal video message for him which was played during his birthday celebrations.

Oliver retired to France with his wife Ellie in 2005 but continued to write a regular piece for the Observer until 2018, ending 58 years in journalism.

Added Andrew: “However, he was a regular visitor back to Watford because, as he often reminded friends and family, ‘you can’t get a decent pint of beer or a proper curry in France’.

“He followed the fortunes of the Hornets from afar, using the club’s Hive Live service to watch gamesand tuning in to matches shown on Sky Sports and the BBC.

“With his health taking a turn for the worse towards the end of last year, he and his family had the opportunity to enjoy him being recognised by two of the largest institutions in the town he loved.”