Former Kent Messenger sports editor Simon Haydon has died aged 64.

Haydon had recently been diagnosed with cancer and last week contracted Covid-19. He died in a hospice yesterday morning.

Haydon worked at the KM Group from 2002-2005, first as a sub-editor, then sports editor, and briefly as a news editor in Medway.

He was best known for his Man in Black column in the sports pages, with Haydon a familiar face as a referee in local football.

Fred Atkins, who worked with Haydon on the Kent Messenger sports desk, said: "He wasn't the average sports editor.

"He spoke fluent French and Swedish, had an exhaustive knowledge of culture and an outrageous sense of humour.

“He was a brilliant journalist and there was literally never a dull moment with him in the office because you had no idea what he was going to come out with next.

“I think he started refereeing in the Maidstone Leagues after watching a match and ranting at the officials from the sideline.

“One of the officials asked if he thought he could do any better and he had a Damascene conversion. From then on he was a fully-paid up member of the refs union.

“If you criticised an official in a report he would edit it out and then deliver a lecture.

"His Man in Black columns were both popular and controversial, which was exactly how he liked it."

Haydon joined the Associated Press in London after leaving the KM, heading up their World Cup and Olympic coverage before retiring two years ago.

Earlier in his career, he travelled the world, reporting on major news events including the downfall of Romanian Communist dictator Nicolae Ceausescu.

Haydon is survived by wife Barbara and sons Harry, Jack, Tom and Will.

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