Close but no cigar for Chris at Regional Press Awards

Chris was shortlisted in the final six in the Weekly Sports Journalist of the Year category, having won the award for the previous two years.

But this year it went to Dave Evans, of London weekly paper, the Newham Recorder.

The judges said: “Harby’s entry covered a range of sports from motorcycling to quidditch. Not only did he always concentrate on the human story, he explored the strength of character needed to overcome the odds and make it.”

One of the highlights of this year’s ceremony, held at the Grosvenor Square Hotel in London, was a special award for the Liverpool Echo for their coverage of the Hillsborough inquests, presented by Trevor Hicks, president of the Hillsborough Families Support Group.