Brian Woolnough, the Daily Star’s chief sports writer and host of Sky Sports’ Sunday Supplement, has died after a long battle against bowel cancer.
The 63-year-old was one of Britain’s most popular and well-known sports journalists, and regularly appeared on TV and radio programmes over the past 20 years.
Affectionately known as ‘Wooly’, he joined the Daily Star in 2001 after a 27-year career at The Sun where he would establish himself as one the UK’s most respected football writers.
After beginning his career in journalism on Surrey’s Esher News and Hemel Hempstead’s Evening Post, he was headhunted by The Sun in the 1970s, where he worked his way up to the position of chief football writer.
He made regular appearances on a variety of TV and radio networks, including BBC Radio 5 Live, TalkSport, and GMTV.
Brian also worked on numerous programmes for Sky Sports, presenting Hold the Back Page, The Footballers’ Football Show, and made frequent appearances on Soccer Extra, the forerunner to Goals on Sunday, during the 1990s.
He later became co-host of Jimmy Hill’s Sunday Supplement from August 2001, before taking over as full-time presenter of the programme in 2007.
Sky Sports Managing Director Barney Francis said: “Brian has been a friendly face for Sky Sports viewers and colleagues for eighteen seasons.
“He loved Sunday Supplement and his wisdom, experience and well-considered views helped us all see the stories behind the headlines and the enduring power of good sports writing.
“He was charming, decent and always wonderful company. We and our viewers will miss him very much.
“Our thoughts are with his wife, Linda, and their family. And, of course, with his many colleagues in sport and journalism.”
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“It is very sad news. He was a good man, a good journalist, with a good personality.
“He asked good questions, sometimes too good! That is the nature of his industry. Our thoughts are with his family at this time.”
Henry Winter, Daily Telegraph:“Brian Woolnough has passed away. Wooly was a superb broadcaster, a top print reporter & a good friend. Thoughts with his family. RIP Wooly”
. Sam Wallace, Independent:“Farewell Brian Woolnough. Reported on every England manager from Ramsey to Roy. I learned a lot from him. He always asked the hard question”
. Matt Lawton, Daily Mail:“Desperately sad to hear that Brian Woolnough has passed away. A Fleet Street legend and top, top man. Thoughts with his family.”
. Oliver Holt, Daily Mirror:“Brian Woolnough was a lovely man and a giant of sports journalism. I will miss his friendship a great deal. Thoughts with his family.”
. Gary Lineker, BBC Sport:“Very sorry to hear that Brian Woolnough has passed away. One of football’s finest journalists. #RIPWooly“
. Richard Keys, TalkSport:“Really sad to hear the news of Brian Woolnough’s passing. He fought cancer long and hard but died overnight aged 63. RIP Brian.”
. Paul Hayward, Observer:“The news we’d been dreading. Brian Woolnough has died, aged 63. Impossible to imagine the press box without Wooly, who loved this life.”
. Andy Dunn, Sunday Mirror:“Terrible, terrible news. Brian Woolnough was incomparable. RIP Wooly. You will be sorely missed.”
. Phil McNulty, BBC Sport:“Last spoke to Brian Woolnough at the end of last season. His positivity & professionalism in the face of serious illness was inspirational.”
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‘An absolute gentleman and a true lover of sport’ Read David Woods’ tribute to Brian Woolnough here – CLICK HERE . .
