A sports reporter is set to follow in his famous father’s footsteps by covering the same football club for a regional title.

Robbie Stelling has announced his departure from the Newbury Weekly News to join the Hartlepool Mail, where his father Jeff began his career.

Former Sky Sports presenter Jeff’s four-year stint with the Mail, his hometown paper, included a spell covering Hartlepool United – a role now taken on by his son.

Robbie, pictured, also grew up supporting his dad’s hometown football team.

Posting on X, he wrote: “Thanks to everyone who sent me a lovely message following my last day at the NWN last week, I was really touched.

“I’m excited to share that I am starting a new role as the Hartlepool United reporter.

“As a lot of you will know, I’ve grown up as a Pools supporter and to have the chance to cover the team is a dream come true.

“It’s set to be an exciting time at the club with Kevin Phillips making such a bright start and I can’t wait to get going.

“What’s more, the old man worked for the Mail more than 100 years ago and things didn’t turn out too badly for him.”