Nov 10 - Tributes Paid To Long-Standing Sports Journalist John Shephard Sr
Tributes have been paid to 81-year-old sports journalist John Shephard Sr who passed away in the early hours today.
No sport was too big or too small for John who covered 30 sports during his time as a journalist. His hard work was recognised when he received the GBC Lifetime Achievement Award.
For more than 40 years John gave up his weekends and evenings, working tirelessly to photograph and cover sports events for the Gibraltar Chronicle.
His son, John, announced his father's death this morning with a fitting tribute: "Well it's nine o'clock.... but the clocked stopped at one and he was finally out for 81. A fine knock but the bowler spun him an off break he couldn't play.
"R.I.P. Dad"
Sports associations and local teams took to Twitter to pay tribute to the long-standing journalist and the GFA issued a statement on their website.
The statement read: “Everyone connected with the Gibraltar FA, and the Gibraltarian football family as a whole, has been deeply saddened this morning to learn of the passing of John Shephard Snr.
“John faithfully covered football for the Gibraltar Chronicle for decades – even before the days of World Cup Qualifiers and the Champions League. He would take up residence at the Victoria Stadium over a whole weekend come rain, hail or shine, never missing a moment, never shirking at the opportunity to put players, coaches, officials and administrators on the spot with hard-hitting questions – with the best interests of the game always firmly in his heart and mind.
“He was always a staunch supporter of football in Gibraltar and his passing today represents a huge loss to the Association and to the sport. We have lost more than just a reporter – we have lost a true friend of football. The Gibraltar FA takes this opportunity to offer its sincere condolences to John’s widow, his sons John and Stephen, his grandchildren and all the Shephard family.
“RIP John.”
The Gibraltar Netball Association tweeted: “Our hearts are saddened by the loss of John Shephard. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family. A real gentleman and a great ambassador of sport who will be truly missed. RIP John.”
Gibraltar Cricket tweeted: “We would like to send our sincere condolences to the Shephard family. John Sr was such a wonderful person who will be sorely missed.”
Members from Gibraltar Taekwondo said: “RIP John Shephard Snr, a brilliant man ho will be truly missed.”
The same sentiments were shared by the Gibraltar Rugby Football Union, who took to their Facebook page to pay tribute to John. They said: “Everyone in the Gibraltar Rugby Community would like to pass on their deepest condolences to all the family and friends of the late great John Shephard Snr, who sadly passed away last night at the age of 81.
“He was a great friend to Gibraltar Rugby and an outstanding journalist.
“May he rest in peace.”
John is survived by his wife Nicolette, sons John and Stephen, and his grandchildren.
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