The FA would like to send its condolences to the family of Brian Woolnough, chief sports writer of the Daily Star, who has passed away following a long battle against bowel cancer.

Woolnough was a personal friend to many at The FA and a major presence within the media at England games both home and abroad. Not only that, he was a big supporter of the Three Lions and will be sorely missed.

Adrian Bevington, Managing Director of Club England, who knew Brian well, paid tribute: "We are deeply saddened by the loss of Brian. A friend to so many of us at The FA, he was one of the most well known and respected Fleet Street sports writers.

"He also became the face of Sky Sports' Sunday Supplement programme, successfully anchoring the show for several years.

"Brian, or 'Wooly' as he was known on the beat, never shied from asking the tough questions, but was always a polite, dignified man.

"He fought a long courageous battle with illness, and our thoughts are with his family at this time."

The 63-year-old was a well-known face on television. As well as hosting Sunday Supplement from 2007, he had previously presented Hold the Back Page from 1994.

Woolnough began his career on The Esher News in Surrey, switching to the Evening Post in Hemel Hempstead before joining The Sun.

He worked there for 27 years, ending up as chief football writer before moving to the Daily Star in 2001.

Brian’s passing comes just three months after his Daily Star colleague, chief football writer Danny Fullbrook, died at the age of 40, also from cancer.

He leaves a wife, Linda, and their three children.