Absolutely spot on. We had Mark Fewings doing a weekly 'readers letters' column in the HDM where City and football in general took a bashing every week from the likes of Mr Gardner ? all unopposed by Fewings who labelled our manager at the time , Nigel Pearson as 'boring , boring Nigel' every time he mentioned him. We were a Championship club at the time enjoying the longest unbeaten away run in the clubs history but to Fewings, it was 'boring, boring, Nigel' Talk about disrespect. Take RH, every RL commentary is done in an excited breathless voice as if it was the most exciting spectacle on earth. Built up before hand with 'this promises to be a classic, etc etc etc. There is never a bad game of RL on RH and never a bad game in the HDM's reporting. But football and Hull City ? we getting a kicking at every opportunity.
I’ve probably done that. As a journalist, my worst mistake was managing to write ‘basketball’ rather than ‘baseball’ when reporting on a brawl at the ‘91 PanAmerican games in Cuba. Filed the story with the name of the sport only mentioned once in the suggested cue (introduction) for the presenter then went to bed because of the time difference. Some people wanted me sacked by the time I woke up.
Ironically, perhaps, in John Fieldhouse's book, signed by Ash, there were a number of spelling mistakes, plus incorrect scores.
Brian Taylor, known earlier in his career as Three Crowns was an exceptional sports reporter. I had the pleasure of working in the same office as him for a couple of years. His Sports Mail reports were superb and a joy to read, lengthy, informative and correct in every detail. Very likable man at work, chain smoker and a lunch time boozer. I've seen him at his typewriter with a *** in his mouth whilst sipping a can of beer many a Friday afternoon. His Hull City news was sourced first hand and always the lead on the back pages, every day when the HDM was worth buying. I had aspirations of following in his footsteps at the Mail but I was too young and naïve at the time. The one time he actually invited me into the old press box at Boothferry Park, along with the Sports Editor, Jack Fluck ( I was 16 maybe 17) was for a night game. I couldn't actually get to the ground for the time I was asked to meet them both and to be honest, in those days, I wanted to be on the terraces behind the South Stand goal so I didn't put to much importance on it at the time. But looking back the raised eyebrow and frosty reception I got in the office the following morning from the boss was probably telling me I'd blown my chance. Also getting arrested on the pitch at Burden Park a few weeks later on with Brian Taylor reporting on it from the press box didn't help either. I still consider Brian Taylor the best Hull City reporter I have ever known. I liked the bloke.
That That's nice to hear, yes he was a really nice guy. I used to see him on a lunchtime as my golfing partner at the time worked as a print operator at the HDM, so he also knew Brian well.
