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York Press football and rugby league journalists lose jobs

Two hugely experienced sports journalists at the York Press have been made redundant.

York City FC reporter Dave Flett (pictured above) and Peter Martini, who covered the York City Knights as well as being de facto sports editor, have lost their jobs.

Flett, a journalist for 22 years and with 16 years at the Press, broke the news on Twitter.

During his time at the paper he reported on the highs of two Wembley wins in a week for the football club and the lows of last season where they finished in the worst position in the club’s history.


 Martini has been a journalist since 1996. He has covered the rise of York City Knights to within touching distance of the Super League.

He said: “I’m not from York but fell in love with the city when I came here in 2000 and have been here ever since.

“Doing this job, I’ve worked with some terrific journalists at the Press, and met great people in the York sporting community and the wider world of football and particularly rugby league.”

Chairman of the York City Supporters’ Trust Mike Brown said the trust were “disappointed and concerned” by the redundancies.

He said: “Dave’s reporting of matches, community initiatives and fundraising events have provided a vital link between the football club, supporters and the wider York community we serve.

“The paper has been in serious decline with a shadow staff and limited resources for many years and we’re now very concerned that this decision will result in a lack of breadth and quality of local football coverage going forwards.”

Gary Hall of the Knights Supporters Society said: “Thank you Pete. For all your support especially in those dark times in 2002 when we were campaigning to keep rugby league alive in York.”

The Press is owned by national media group Newsquest – which in turn is owned by US giant Gannett.

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