Alan Lee died this past weekend at the age of 61. I have only just discovered the shocking news

'Times' readers and the readers of many a sporting account, biography and ghosted autobiography will know what a really terrific writer he was.

I was lucky enough to be in Alan Lee's company quite a few times over the past years. As well as being a very nice man, a terrific speaker, debating chairman, conversationalist and excellent company, his knowledge of his chosen subjects, horse racing (especially NH) and cricket was encyclopaedic and he was always well up on most other sports. This tribute written by Mike Atherton says far more than I could ever write : RIP to one of the best sports journalists ever to put his ear to the ground, finger to typewriter or pen to paper.

http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/public/article4645774.ece