Benny Hill

As a former sports editor of the Barnsley Chronicle and Sheffield Morning Telegraph, Benny kept his eye on all the other sports writers in his patch.

Even in retirement, he would pick up the phone to offer praise or criticism to those still learning the game.

During a 50-year career in newspapers, Benny – who has died, aged 82 – helped a number of young journalists to climb the ladder, including BBC football commentator John Motson.

Mr Hill had joined the Barnsley Chronicle as a writer in 1943 and, before becoming the newspaper's sports editor 10 years later, served three years in the RAF. By 1960, he had left the Barnsley Chronicle to work on the sports desk of the Sheffield Morning Telegraph and covered his home-town club, Barnsley FC.

By the mid-Seventies, he had become sports editor on the Morning Telegraph and stayed there until its closure, in 1986.

At the age of 58, Benny moved to the Sheffield Star and Green 'Un where he remained until his retirement in 1992.

Until his death, Benny was responsible for editing the Stop Press

column in the pages of the Barnsley match programme.

It was in its 36th season and, when he phoned to demand 400 words of perfection, all for free, few journalists would say "no" – such was the high esteem in which he was held.

The study at his home, in Lodge Moor, Sheffield, was crammed with books containing statistics and newspaper cuttings that he had started compiling as a schoolboy.

Blessed with a wicked dry humour and never afraid to voice an opinion, Benny will also be remembered for his pipe smoking in the Oakwell press box. It may have upset one or two – but it was just part of the overall charm.

One of his favourite jokes was that he was a lot funnier than his comedy namesake.

He leaves a widow, Dinah, who was previously a reporter on the

Chronicle before becoming a voice on BBC Radio Sheffield.

The funeral takes place at Darfield Wesley Methodist Church, Barnsley Road, Darfield on Monday, February 8, at 2.15pm.