Award-winning sports editor Mark Edwards leaves the Oxford Mail today after almost 21 years.
Only last month an Edwards-led special project won the supplement of the year accolade at the Midlands Media Awards, where the Oxford Mail sports desk were highly commended in the team of the year.
His departure comes in the wake of more job-cutting by owners Newsquest Media and leaves the sports department with just two journalists.
“I have been incredibly fortunate to have enjoyed some great times,” he said.
“I have been involved in producing more than 30 supplements and to collect a prestigious industry award only last month on behalf of my team was immensely satisfying.”
The 40-year-old, who is looking for new opportunities in the industry, joined the newspaper in January 1999 and was appointed head of the sports desk in October 2006.
He has been nominated for a host of accolades, including seeing a 48-page special ‘Oxford United Milk Cup 30-year anniversary’ production being highly commended in the special sports edition category at the British Sports Journalism Awards in 2017.
He has been a judge for the awards since then, and will do so again next year.
During his time at the Oxford Mail he has covered Oxford United at Wembley three times as well as the club’s two promotions. He has also reported on Oxfordshire sides playing at both Lord’s and Twickenham.
Edwards is pictured above with Sir Roger Bannister receiving a special achievement award for his services to sport in Oxford.
British Sports Journalism Awards 2017