THE News & Star’s Jon Colman has been named the top regional sports journalist in Britain for the ninth time.

Jon received the accolade at the British Sports Journalism Awards for 2023 in London on Monday, March 25.

Judges felt our Carlisle United reporter’s interviewing and story-getting put him at the top of a strongly-contested category involving journalists from regional titles from across the country.

He extended his tally of trophies which is a record for the Sports Journalists’ Association-run awards, beating the Portsmouth News’ Neil Allen and Ciaran Kelly of Newcastle’s Chronicle and Journal into second and third respectively.

Judges said: "Jon's work displayed first-class journalism – Investigative reporting, great story-telling and knowledge of his subject, all written with the utmost quality to grip the reader from the first word to the last."

Among the articles submitted in Jon’s entry were moving and powerful interviews with the Annan Athletic coach Jon Connolly and the former Carlisle United captain Nick Anderton.

Jon’s scoop on the Piatak family’s takeover talks with the Blues was also praised by judges at the event which was staged at the Park Plaza, Westminster Bridge.

In his acceptance speech, Jon paid tribute to colleagues at the News & Star and The Cumberland News and also dedicated the trophy to his mum, Noreen.

"I felt very lucky and grateful to receive the award, and also to be in the company of so many regional and national journalists who I admire and respect enormously," Jon said.

"Ever since I started reporting on Carlisle United in 2005 I’ve regarded the job as a great privilege and something I’ve always given my heart and soul towards.

"In accepting the award it was important to recognise some of the people who give me so much support at the News & Star.

"I couldn’t wish for a more supportive editor in Joy Yates, while I never take for granted the patience and help of Jo Kelly and Colin Edgar in handling my work and some of my annoying requests.

"I also wanted to acknowledge and thank our fantastic freelance photographers – Barbara Abbott, Ben Holmes, and Richard Parkes – whose dedication, quality, and friendship is such an important part of our United coverage.

"I’m very thankful to everyone who reads my work, all the Blues fans who take the time to interact with it and me, and people like Jon Connolly and Nick Anderton who trusted me to tell their stories in an appropriate and sensitive way.

"And, above everything else, the award is for my mam, for all the love, support, and encouragement she gives me every day."