A stalwart West Ham reporter, Dave Evans has sadly passed away at the age of 54.
Hammers fans will know the newspaper reporter, who served as West Ham correspondent for a number of London publications for Archant until last year.
Dave was a Regional Press Award winner, named Weekly Sports Journalist of the Year in 2015 and was known as one of the most reliable sources of news in and around West Ham and the Premier League.
Reach plc's Ned Keating, Sport Multimedia Producer for Reach Nationals, worked closely with Dave for a number of years and he paid a fitting tribute to the 'great man'.
He said: "Dave covered West Ham in a way all journalists with a sole focus on a club should.
"He was critical, but fair regarding all first-team matters and those off the pitch too, including issues at boardroom level.
"His coverage stretched well past the men’s first team, regularly attending matches in the FA Youth Cup and also providing a detailed insight on the women’s team after they became professional.
"Dave was able to easily build-up relationships with Hammers players past and present, perhaps typified by one such story. After an away victory, Dave greeted Angelo Ogbonna in the mixed zone with the usual ‘great win’. Ogbonna in turn responded by playfully patting Dave’s belly. So often, those that have donned the famous claret and blue down the years were pleased to see Dave.
"He also shone a light on the human stories too, with articles on the food banks which the supporter’s club aided as well as the LGBTQ+ supporters’ group.
"Having worked with and sat next to him for four years, there is so much he taught me.
"His sad passing over Christmas has seen the world lose a great man and a brilliant journalist. May he rest in peace."
Dave died following an illness on Christmas Day while celebrating with his family.
