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Voice of rugby league dies (add your tributes)
A highly respected rugby commentator who started his 50-year journalistic career at The St Helens Reporter has died.
Keith Macklin, who grew up in Rainhill and attended Prescot Grammar School, has passed away at the age of 78 following a long illness.
After several years as a junior reporter, his broadcasting career began in 1956 when he was asked to commentate on a game between Leeds and Oldham for the BBC.
In a career which spanned more than 50 years, he then went on to cover crown green bowls, showjumping, snooker and the 1974 football World Cup for both the radio and television.
Always speaking in a thoughtful, cultured tone, he became well known throughout the sporting world - particularly in rugby league circles.
He even presented Songs of Praise and Pot Black, but headed back to radio in 1982 to become the first ever programme director at the Preston-based Red Rose Radio - now Rock FM.
In 2007 he released his autobiography - A Two Horse Town - detailing his incredible broadcasting experiences.
St Helens Reporter sports writer John Yates said: "Keith was a smashing bloke. He was one of the nicest and politest men you could ever wish to meet.
"He had one of those voices that was perfect for radio and television - he was very eloquent and softly spoken. As soon as you heard Keith's voice, you knew who it was straight away."
Keith Macklin's funeral is set to be held at Blackburn Cathedral this Friday (August 7).
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Weather for St Helens
Sunday 19 May 2013
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 10 C to 15 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: North west
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 11 C to 16 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: North west
