KEN REYNOLDS pays tribute to a friend and former Mirror colleague, Mike Honey
Mike Honey, the former sports chief-sub editor at the Daily Mirror and long-time member of what was then the Sports Writers’ Association, has died after a short illness. He was 79.
A kind and caring man, Mike loved entertaining his mates over a pint with dreadful singing and terrible jokes.
Several of Mike’s former colleagues attended a thanksgiving service held near his home in Haywards Heath.
Mike was educated at Collyer’s school in Horsham. He started his career in journalism at the Crawley Courier before moving on to the Mirror via the London Evening Standard.
He also freelanced as chief-sub on ITV’s World of Sport, leading the team that sat behind host Dickie Davies until the show’s demise in 1985.
Honey was a talented sportsman in his youth, good enough as a wicketkeeper-batsman to be offered a contract by Sussex CCC. He was also an excellent goalkeeper.
He played for Three Bridges CC for many years and loved recalling the occasion he hit three successive sixes off England off-spinner Jim Laker in a charity match.
Illness cut short Mike’s career at the Mirror and he took early retirement in 1993.
He was married for 56 years and is survived by wife Ann, daughter Jacquie and son Andrew.
The Association sends its condolences to Mike’s family at this sad time.