Hugh McIlvanney, one of the most respected British sports journalist, has died at the age of 84. The cause of death has not been disclosed.
The television reporter was the Observer’s chief sports correspondent for three decades until 1993.
He covered multiple significant sporting events of the 20th century, including England’s World Cup win in 1966 and the Rumble in the Jungle in 1974.
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He retired after 60 years in 2016 after his 23-year career with the Sunday Times. Hugh was described as "the literary equivalent of Stein and Shankley", "one of the true greats of sportswriting" and "a giant of journalism".
He had also been named British sportswriter of the year seven times.
Shortly after the sports reporter's death news emerged, multiple stars and sports agency took to social media sites to pay tribute to him.
Here're some of the tweets, check them out.
RIP Hugh McIlvanney, Britain's greatest sports writer, and my chum. We argued like cat and dog, but always made up. And when you were having a proper barney with Hugh, his use of language (he spoke as elegantly as he wrote) made you secretly glad you were fighting. #genius pic.twitter.com/B9wy7dmbHC
— Danny Kelly (@dannykellywords) January 25, 2019
The person most capable of doing justice to Hugh McIlvanney's obituary would have been the man himself.
— The Football Pink (@TheFootballPink) January 25, 2019
Just seen the sad news about Hugh McIlvanney passing , every game has its maestro, the one who is better than anyone before and who will never be bettered when they are gone. In sports writing he was without doubt that man. I met him once at an SFA Hall Of Fame dinner
— Jim (@BarcaJim) January 25, 2019
Memorial services for the late sports journalist will be announced in the coming days. Rest in Peace Hugh McIlvanney!
For more updates, stay tuned to Frostsnow.