Steve Curry – more tributes
Tributes have been flowing for Steve Curry, our friend, colleague and former FWA Chairman, who has passed away after a short illness at the age of 76:Norman Giller, his former Express colleague and friend, tweeted: “Reeling from news of Steve Curry’s passing. We were close colleagues at the Express. One of the best contacts men in the football reporting business and a great raconteur. We were together recently and I jokingly mocked him for being overweight. A good man.”
Paul McCarthy, former FWA Chairman and Express football correspondent, said: “Desperately saddened to hear of the passing of Steve Curry. To spend time in his company was to live life to the fullest but also to know what it meant to be a ferociously combative reporter of the highest order. No night was complete until there had been another rendering of ‘Little Old Wine Drinker, Me’ or the re-telling of one of the great jokes ‘the flowers in your garden...’
“To those who travelled the globe with Steve, he was hard-bitten but magnificent fun. To those of us who learnt from him, his life was measured in trust, contacts and great stories. After that, the enjoyment could begin. Cantankerous, argumentative and obstreperous - he could be all those things. But he was extremely loyal and a trusted companion who loved the rough and tumble of getting a story but never let it get in the way of friendship. He will be missed. His generation of reporters lived the greatest of lives and they were genuinely grateful for everything the job gave them. RIP Steve.”
Steve Bates, another former FWA Chairman, colleague and friend tweeted: “Very sad to hear news that Steve Curry passed away earlier today One of the big characters in Fleet Street's hey-day and beyond, always good company and a wonderful raconteur. Condolences to wife Carol and son Mike. RIP.”
Mike Parry, former Express sports editor added: “I am absolutely shocked to learn of the death of Daily Express legend Steve Curry. When I was a young reporter on the Express Steve was forever helpful and supportive. Terrific professional and all round bloody good guy and my sincerest condolences to all of his family.”
John Cross: "RIP Steve Curry. Always nice to me when I first came into the business all those years ago. Fleet Street legend with a devilish smile and a great sense of humour.”
Gerry Cox, former Chairman of the FWA: “Very sad news. I grew up reading Steve Curry and the other great sports reporters from the Express in its heyday, and got to know him later as a friend and a colleague. A sad loss. Our prayers and thoughts are with his family and friends.”
“So sad to hear of the passing of Steve Curry. A guiding light to me for years. Even a triple by-pass years ago didn't deter him. One of the best in the business, and also one of the nicest, a very rare combination today. Always supportive of me, a wonderful person.” John Ley, FWA membership secretary and former Telegraph colleague.
“Steve Curry was a very warm man a very good journalist. Brilliantly old school. RIP” James Corrigan, Telegraph golf correspondent
“Very sad to learn the news that veteran football reporter Steve Curry has passed away. A regular guest on SkyNews, Steve became a good friend. Always great company and I’ve many fond memories of trips to La Manga together. Condolences to Carol. RIP Steve.” Ian Woods, Sky News
“Another great sports journalist has gone. Steve Curry was a blisteringly sharp reporter for the Daily Express and a colleague I always looked forward to meeting on the many trips we conducted round the world writing about the sport we loved. RIP, Steve.” Matt Driscoll
“A Daily Express and Fleet Street legend. RIP Steve Curry” Mike Allen, Mirror sports editor
“Sad news. Great character. Always kind and welcoming. Good memories from England on tour with all the English media.” Erik Bielderman, L'Equipe.
“Desperately sad news. A true legend of sports journalism and a great supporter of Weybridge Cricket Club. Was with him on Sunday in fine spirits and looking forward to his holiday. RIP Steve, you’ll be missed.” Oliver Slipper, founder Perform Group.
“Very sad news. I enjoyed an impromptu pint with Steve, Jim Mossop and Andy Dunn ahead of this year’s FWA. He was in fine form, extolling his views as in his own indomitable way. A formidable Fleet Street writer, great debater and marvellous company. Steve will be greatly missed. Sincere condolences to Carol and all of Steve’s family. RIP.” Adrian Bevington, former FA executive
Tags: Colleagues, Daily Express, Friends, Gerry Cox, James Mossop, John Cross, Mike Parry, Norman Giller, paul mccarthy, Steve Bates
Twitter
This is one of the saddest days. Steve was a remarkable friend, travel companion, colleague and I had the pleasure not only to tour the world with him but also share in his great pride and joy at being Sports News Reporter of the Year during his remarkably successful time on the Sunday Telegraph. A Tuesday lunchtime in our private corner of Davy’s with Steve, Jim Mossop, Bill Bateson, Neil Harman, Paul Ackford and Ron Atkin was the equivalent of sports bootroom. Steve always led the debate with great wit and even greater knowledge and kindness. There are some days that feel just too sad and this is one of them. I will miss Steve so much.
I am very shocked to hear of my friend of many years, drinking buddy and neighbour Steve Curry. My heartfelt condolences to Carol and the family.
Martin Higdon.
One of the great, happy and popular football writers of our time. Mercifully his going was short. The last time I saw him was at my FWA Hon Vice President award lunch in the Two Bridges Club off St Martins Lane on May 7 (pictured above). He sat just opposite and he was in tremendous form, often interrupting with my speech about his version of my stories. We are mainly 1966 World Cup leftovers and it was one of the most enjoyable functions of our lives – full of laughter and fun, much of it provoked by him.
Wherever he went he would laugh and joke and win friends and won the respect of managers and players alike. One of our best stories was about the original, cramped press box at White Hart Lane around the early 1980s. Steve was chairman of the FWA at that time and had lunch with Irving Scholar, the Spurs chairman, about building a bigger press box.
He was well tanked up and was talked into having a new press box right behind the dug outs blocking our view by the managers and staff. Most people were critical of its its lowly position and they christened him The Steve Curry Press Box. Now having built a resplendent new ground, today’s generation will forget about Steve’s aberration but those who knew him will never forget him.
Earlier this week I thought I hadn’t been to a funeral for some weeks. Now I shall be there and an overflow will be needed.
Sad, sad farewell to a fellow road warrior. Such great times. Steve appeared indestructible. Sailed through quadruple by-pass to carry on breezing through life. Ace reporter, fine companion, good man.