Tributes are being paid from across the football media industry to Mike Morgan, who has died at the age of 78; the Essex-born reporter was based in Yorkshire and covered the region’s clubs for more than two decades…
By The SJA
Mike Morgan has been remembered as one of the best football journalists of his generation following the sad news that he has died at the age of 78, just days after his birthday.
Morgan was Sheffield’s longest-serving football writer and covered the fortunes of clubs across the Yorkshire region as a reporter for several national newspapers and then as a freelancer until his retirement from sports journalism in 2023.
Born in Essex, Morgan built his reputation in the North and East Midlands, becoming a trusted pressbox presence across Yorkshire in particular.
During his career, he reported for the Daily Express, Daily Star, The Sun, and the Daily Mirror, delivering football news with warmth and accuracy.
Tributes have been pouring in following Mike Morgan's death. This is the latest, from our former Chairman Alex Montgomery, a colleague of Mike's for over two decades:
— The Football Writers' Association (@theofficialfwa) September 3, 2026
"Mike Morgan was a football writer of the highest order: a reporter who reported. He loved the beautiful game… pic.twitter.com/bBYLem7RLp
Morgan was described by his Sun colleague Alan Biggs as an “old-fashioned operator in the best possible way” in a tribute published on the website of the Football Writers’ Association (FWA).
Former FWA chairman Alex Montgomery remembered Morgan’s ability to form deep relationships with managers and players across the sport.
He was trusted by those whose clubs he covered, earning a reputation for respecting “off the record” confidences while still regularly producing scoops and exclusives.
Absolutely gutted to read the news about Mike Morgan. What a phenomenal bloke and journalist. All of the managers respected him. Recall once, when I’d just started out, a well known local boss had been unnecessarily horrible during an interview I’d tried to do. Mike grabbed me at… https://t.co/WAB3AzoIZI
— Rob Staton (@robstaton) September 2, 2026
Morgan was friends with some of the game’s biggest personalities, including Ron Atkinson, Tony Currie, Allan Clarke, Dave Bassett, Chris Wilder, and Trevor Francis.
Managers and players would frequently phone him directly with news – a testament to the respect he commanded inside and outside of the game.
Alongside his enviable contact book, Morgan was appreciated by his industry colleagues for his sharp sense of humour.
In a post on X, BBC broadcaster Adam Pope wrote: “This is terribly sad news. Mike was always generous with his time & a pleasure to know.” Presenter and broadcaster Stuart Linnell MBE posted to say that Morgan was “one of the best.”
Sad to hear of the passing of Mike Morgan, a lovely guy and a great reporter who regularly covered Leeds. Always found Mike great to deal with when I used to report regularly on the EFL pic.twitter.com/BeO6o3FjVF
— Tom Barclay (@TomBarclay_) September 3, 2026
Beyond his work as a staff reporter, Morgan was known for supporting fellow journalists, offering crucial guidance and encouragement to those who were breaking into print and radio.
Following the announcement of his death by the FWA, tributes have flooded in from across the sports media industry.
Sad to hear of the death of journalist Mike Morgan.
— Paul Davis (@paulm_davis) September 2, 2026
Asked one of my favourite questions.
"Are you the Messiah?' he enquired of Neil Warnock as #rufc won 1-0 at Sheff Wed in the 2016 Great Escape.
Warnock was tired of driving from Cornwall.
"I'm the knackered Messiah," he replied.
Mike Morgan leaves a strong legacy in regional and national sports reporting, as demonstrated by the memories shared by his friends and former colleagues.
The SJA sends its deepest condolences to them all, and to Mike’s family.
If you are interested in sharing memories of Mike via publication on the SJA website, please email us – we welcome your contributions.
Further reading…
Mike Morgan 1948-2026. Tributes from Alan Biggs and Alex Montgomery (FWA)
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