Smyth replaces Hay as Yorkshire Post Chief Football Writer

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Graham Smyth, who covers non-league Chesterfield for the Derbyshire Times, is replacing Phil Hay as Chief Football Writer for the Yorkshire Post.

Hay left the paper last week after 13 years to join American subscriber site The Athletic. As the Post’s Leeds United reporter, the Scotsman was one of the most high-profile journalists on any regional newspaper, with 164.7k followers on Twitter and a raft of awards.

Smyth tweeted: “What a brilliant three years it’s been covering Chesterfield. Thank you to all the Spireites who read our coverage and to all the Chesterfield FC directors, managers, staff and players for their help. Still on the CFC beat ’til Monday.

“Looking forward to next week and a new job.”Like the Yorkshire Post, the Derbyshire Times is owned by JPI Media, formerly Johnston Press.Hay joined the Post in 2004 from the Press Association and had covered Leeds since 2006.

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When he announced his departure he said: “Thirteen years home and away with Leeds United, which has been some adventure. They say you get less for murder but you get less for winning the lottery too. I’m grateful for all of it.

“There have definitely been more downs than ups for Leeds in that period (which makes me wonder if I was a bit of a curse) but they’re the most fascinating and compelling club, and a club who never sleep.

“Don Waters, the YEP’s former United writer, once said to me that you’re never short of a story at Elland Road and he’s right. This season goes down as my highlight – a pleasure to write about Marcelo Bielsa and to see Leeds go as close as they did. It been a privilege to do this for 13 years at the YEP.”

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