Brian Woolnough

Who was Brian Woolnough?

Brian Woolnough was a British sports journalist and Chief Sports writer for tabloid the Daily Star.

Previously a writer for The Sun, in 1999 the Daily Mirror tried unsuccessfully to poach him. Woolnough was lured to the Daily Star in 2001 after owner Richard Desmond authorised a £200,000 pay package.

In December 2004, following Norwich City's 4-0 defeat at Chelsea, Woolnough produced a Monday morning column that enraged Norwich fans, saying that City were "gutless," that they would "stink the place out" with Premiership performances of a similar ilk, and that he "Hopes they go down, and good riddance." This instantly turned Woolnaugh into public enemy number 1 in Norwich, and although refusing to withdraw his comments, he later visited Carrow Road after receiving 450 e-mails and the local newspaper getting involved with the debate.

From 2007, Woolnough was the presenter of Sky Sport's Sunday Supplement, replacing Jimmy Hill. Woolnough was previously the presenter of "Hold The Back Page" from 1994.

Woolnough died on 18 September 2012 from bowel cancer. He is survived by his wife Linda and three children.

Gary Lineker described Woolnough as "one of football's finest journalists." Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson said that Woolnough was "a good journalist and a good personality."