Derek Wallis dies aged 79

Derek Wallis, a former football writer for The Independent, died aged 79 on 5 January, his 53rd wedding anniversary.

He began his journalistic career with the Slough Observer and Portsmouth Evening News before joining the Daily Mirror in London. After more than 40 years with the Mirror, many as its leading football reporter and columnist in Manchester, he made a valuable contribution to the successful launch of The Independent in 1986.