THE Worcester News has waved a fond farewell to its long-serving sports editor, Paul Ricketts, who has retired after a journalism career spanning almost 50 years. Mike Pryce takes a fond look back at some of his most memorable moments.

CONSIDERING he’s spent a good part of his journalistic career on this newspaper involved with the trials and tribulations of Worcester City FC, it’s a minor miracle sports editor Paul Ricketts has reached the age of 65. But he has and now he’s retiring.

The ref’s blown the final whistle, the umpire has pulled up the stumps and he’s off back into the changing rooms to pack his kit bag and head off home to Comer Gardens.

Paul's career in journalism began on October 1, 1967 when he joined Berrow's Newspapers Ltd, the forerunner of today's Newsquest. His father John was already working on the paper at the time in the press room and over the years there has been something of a Ricketts dynasty at Berrow's House, Paul's sister Lesley having worked in accounts and his son Steve also on the printing presses.

Paul's early years were spent covering general news and sport at Evesham office under the guidance of editor Bill Clarke, which obviously proved a good grounding since after transferring to Worcester, he became news editor and assistant editor on the Worcester Evening News in March 1988. Two years later he took over the sports editor mantel from Jack Godfrey.

Working at the editorial coalface all this time has obviously thrown up a few "episodes". Like the one recalled by former colleague Chris Oldnall concerning the constant grapple with every changing technology. Chris said: "I remember Paul asking me to write a football preview which, due to some mysterious reason relating to the technology at the time, ended up being littered with phrases about cooking recipes!

“So my football cliches were turned into phrases about the match being 'delicious' and 'mouth-watering' etc. There was also something about the teams having met 'on a number of popular previous occasions'.

“I hadn't seen the paper by the time I arrived at the ground to cover the game, so was totally confused when people starting asking me about cooking! I told Paul the next day and all he could do was laugh his head off.”

While hugely popular among his peers and the sporting community of Worcester, Paul was not immune from the odd bust-up - including one over a notable episode that went on to make the national news.

It was triggered by the last game of the 1976/77 season in Southern League Division One North. Worcester City, then under the guidance of their most successful ever manager Nobby Clark, went into it unbeaten, a feat never before achieved, and the eyes of the soccer world were on the little Welsh ground of Barry Town as City prepared for a clean sweep.

ITV had taken a keen interest and there was huge media interest. Unfortunately things didn't go to plan and City lost 3-1. The headline on Paul's story read simply : "Chumpions!"

ITV’s soccer programme On the Ball had been following City and asked for a copy of the paper, which duly featured in its Saturday lunchtime show. Football presenter Brian Moore commented “Perhaps, a bit harsh" as the headline was shown.

The first game of the next season Paul went into the dressing room to get the teams, as you did in those days, to be met by Nobby Clark, who had obviously been fuming all summer, and proceeded to launch into a volley of abuse unrepeatable in print.

Fortunately Paul survived to write another day and continue a career proudly spanning almost 50 years.

After a lifetime of memories, we wish him a very happy retirement.