Good to see some old Northern Echo faces at the funeral of former sports editor Jeff Todhunter in Darlington this morning.

Jeff, who spent his working life at the Echo, becoming sports editor in 1972, was 79 when he died.

Tim Wellock, Clive Hetherington, Harry Mead, Kevin Dinsdale, Colin Woods, and Nick Loughlin were among those from the world of North-East sports journalism to pay their respects.

Music included the theme tune from Grandstand - a nice, sporting touch - as Jeff was described as a "true gentleman with strong, old-fashioned values".

We heard how sports-mad Jeff used to take his son, Ian, to Feethams to watch Darlington play, using his press-pass to make sure they got decent seats. They'd have Bovril and Wagon Wheels at half-time and then take fish and chips home for the family, stopping off from an Evening Despatch sports paper to check the footie results on the way. Later, they'd watch Match of the Day together - Jeff with a Newcastle Brown Ale in his hand.

Sounds like heaven.