Remembering Rob Steen: A Titan of Sports Journalism
The sports writing community is mourning the loss of Rob Steen, who passed away from a heart attack at the age of 67. The celebrated journalist and educator leaves behind an extraordinary legacy spanning decades of passionate sports coverage and dedicated teaching.
A Distinguished Career in Sports Writing
Rob Steen's journalism career was marked by significant contributions to some of Britain's most respected publications. His work appeared in The Guardian intermittently from 1988 to 2006, establishing him as a leading voice in sports commentary. During the mid-1990s, he served as deputy sports editor at the Sunday Times, further cementing his reputation in the industry.
His expertise in cricket saw him maintain long-standing relationships with both Wisden Cricketer and Cricinfo, where his insightful analysis delighted enthusiasts of the sport. Fellow Guardian rugby correspondent Rob Kitson remembered him as "the most irrepressible sports fan of us all."
Author and Educator: Shaping Future Generations
Beyond his journalism, Steen was an accomplished author who produced several notable works. His bibliography includes acclaimed biographies of cricketers David Gower (1995) and Desmond Haynes (1993), as well as the groundbreaking cricket book 500-1 (2001), co-authored with Alastair McLellan, which examined the legendary 1981 Headingley test match.
His literary range extended beyond cricket with Sonny Boy (1993), an empathetic biography of boxer Sonny Liston, and The Mavericks (1995), which became a cult classic among football literature enthusiasts.
Steen's passion for sports journalism translated into a distinguished teaching career. He served as a senior lecturer in sports journalism at Brighton University from 2004, following earlier teaching roles at Falmouth University. A colleague at Brighton noted that "he cared more about sports journalism than anyone I've met."
Early Life and Personal Journey
Born into a Jewish family in north London, Steen was the son of John Steen, a wholesale clothing retailer, and Shirley Dymond. He attended John Lyon school in Harrow and chose not to pursue university education initially, instead exploring various careers including accountancy, estate agency, and baking.
His professional path changed direction after completing a journalism course at the London College of Printing. He found his creative home at City Limits magazine, where he developed a distinctive writing style influenced more by 1970s music journalism than traditional sports reporting. This was followed by a period at Hayters Sports Agency, renowned as a training ground for many successful journalists.
In 1994, Steen married fellow journalist Anne Taylor, and the couple made the decision to raise their family in Cornwall, relocating there in 1999. The marriage later ended in divorce.
Legacy in Education and Beyond
Steen's teaching methods at Brighton University became legendary among students. He created engaging quizzes designed to demonstrate that football existed long before the Premier League era, and hosted mock press conferences where he would convincingly portray famous managers including Mourinho, Wenger, and even a mid-'hairdryer treatment' Sir Alex Ferguson.
Students recognised not only his deep care for their development but also that they were learning from one of the most experienced sports journalists in the field. He took early retirement in 2018 and moved to the Netherlands, drawn by the country's culture and lifestyle.
In Rotterdam, he continued his engagement with the arts by writing programmes for the local arthouse cinema while maintaining his global network of cricket and music enthusiasts - his two great lifelong passions.
Rob Steen is survived by his three children, Laura, Josef and Evie, his mother, and his sister, Jane. His passing marks the end of an era for British sports journalism, but his influence will continue through the countless writers and students he inspired throughout his remarkable career.
