[News] RIP Hugh McIlvanney

[Gwylan]

Sad to see that the greatest of all sports writers has died. He was the highlight of The Observer for many years.

His most celebrated article was the one following the Rumble in the Jungle but, for me, his account of poor Johnny Owen's final fight is superb example of how to write.

 

[Silverhatch]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LkwLBJs-uLI

 

[ManOfSussex]

It must have been in 2007 for the 40th anniversary, but I remember reading this fantastic piece he wrote on the achievements Lisbon Lions in The Sunday Times which he just finished off with a line of - 'Not bad for a Glasgow and District XI'

A great writer. Very authoritative, really knew his stuff. A great, rich voice he had too for the broadcast narration pieces he did. RIP.

 

[Hamilton]

He certainly stands, or stood, as one of the big guns of sports writing.

 

[Mr Banana]

Gutted. I owe a lot of my rather pathetic "career" to him.

Still, at least I can continue to read his work with a mix of admiration and impotent fury at being a 100th of the man/writer.

 

[Titanic]

I can't be the only one on here who saw this thread and thought... Damn, I liked him in Blackadder.

Now I know who he was, he was indeed a giant among sports journalists - they don't seem to make them like that anymore.

 

[catfish]

McIlvanney on Football is one of the best reads of any sport books. RIP.

 

[Guinness Boy]

McIlvanney on Football is one of the best reads of any sport books. RIP.

Indeed, it's superb. One of the greats. RIP Hugh.

 

[Weststander]

RIP the greatest sports writer ever.

In the Ian Robertson class of brilliance.

Plus his TV documentary on Stein, Shankly and Busby (about 20 years ago) was incredible.

 

[Pavilionaire]

The doyen of sports writers, the benchmark, the best.

R.I.P. Hugh.

 

[Cowfold Seagull]

I can't be the only one on here who saw this thread and thought... Damn, I liked him in Blackadder.

Now I know who he was, he was indeed a giant among sports journalists - they don't seem to make them like that anymore.

I liked him too Darling!

In fact l like them both, Tim McInnerny, and Hugh McIlvanney. Back to Hugh though, and as others have said, one of the greatest sportswriters of them all, and a throw back to my youth when I used to read his columns every Sunday in the Observer.