Bradshaw: switched to Daily Express
The shake-up of Fleet Street’s sports desks continues, with Daily Express sports editor Shaun Custis vacating his seat for Bill Bradshaw, the man who gave him his first job in national newspapers.
Custis, who has been on the Express sports desk for more than five years but only headed it for the past six months, is joining The Sun, where he will be chief football writer.
"I’ve been a sports journalist for 17 years and I’ve spent half of it in the office and half of it on the road. I like both sides of the job," he said, explaining his move.
Custis started out on Fleet Street at the Sunday People, where he was hired by then sports editor Bradshaw. When Bradshaw left the People in 1994, Custis became deputy editor.
Said Custis: "Bill got me on the ladder on the nationals. I’m really pleased he’s coming here to take over."
Bradshaw, who has also been sports editor of the Sunday Mirror, as well as editor of The Journal, Newcastle, is currently associate sports editor of The Observer.
One of his first tasks on taking over at the Express later this month will be to find a replacement for the paper’s chief sports writer, Martin Samuel, who has been recruited by News International as News of the World chief sports writer and Times columnist.
"That’s a key appointment to preserve the identity of the Daily Express. It’s particularly important because down the years the Express has always had a strong voice." said Bradshaw.
Other moves include Martin Lipton, who is leaving The Daily Mail, where he is chief sports reporter, to join The Mirror as chief football reporter.
Elsewhere, Sunday Telegraph sports writer Owen Slot is thought to be joining The Times’ sports desk as a sports news and feature writer.
And former England Test cricketer and current cricket correspondent on The Independent, Derek Pringle, is believed to have been offered the cricket correspondent’s position at The Daily Telegraph, replacing Michael Henderson.
By Naomi Marks
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