Ipswich sports journalist Mike Bacon is leaving the East Anglian Daily Times and Ipswich Star after more than 40 years’ service.

Mike, a former Green’Un editor known for reporting on Ipswich Witches, as well as popular columns and comment on Ipswich Town, will leave the business this week after accepting voluntary redundancy.

Mike began work at the EADT offices in Lower Brook Street just a few months after Ipswich Town won the UEFA Cup in 1981.

He started life in the composing room as a compositor before retraining as a journalist.

East Anglian Daily Times: Mike Bacon, left and Ipswich Witches owner Chris Louis on track at Foxhall HeathMike Bacon, left and Ipswich Witches owner Chris Louis on track at Foxhall Heath (Image: Newsquest)

He rose his way up to become editor of the former popular Saturday night sports paper, the Green’Un, in the late ‘90s, before moving onto the EADT sports team in 2002.

“It’s been a real journey and a thrill to be able to have seen and reported on many of the things I have in Suffolk sport,” Mike said.

“Editing the Green’Un was a highlight, at a time when Ipswich Town were heading into the Premier League in 2000.

"Being in the press box at Wembley when Town went up that year and ghost-writing columns in the paper with the likes of Marcus Stewart, Kieron Dyer, Richard Wright, Alex Mathie and Mark Venus.

“I’ve got to know the thriving non-league football scene here in Suffolk well, and made many friends who I still consider friends today.

East Anglian Daily Times: Mike Bacon, pointing, with Stuart Watson, next to him, reporting on Ipswich Town at Morecambe this seasonMike Bacon, pointing, with Stuart Watson, next to him, reporting on Ipswich Town at Morecambe this season (Image: Ross Halls)

“More recently, covering Ipswich Witches has been great fun. I really enjoy speedway.

"To have been able to report on the Witches and Ipswich Town, two clubs I used to stand on the terraces and support as a kid, has been incredible.

"And to get involved in the Kings of Anglia Ipswich Town podcast is something many years ago, I never thought I would be doing."

So, what now for Mike, who is also a published author, having had his debut novel, ’38 Sleeps’ published 14 months ago?

“I’m looking forward to new opportunities and challenges that will come my way,” he added.

“I’m not putting my feet up, that’s not really me. A new book is already two-thirds written and, as I said, we’ll see what opportunities arise.”

East Anglian Daily Times: The Kings of Anglia Podcast team, let to right: Andy Warren, Stuart Watson, Ross Halls, Mark Heath and Mike BaconThe Kings of Anglia Podcast team, let to right: Andy Warren, Stuart Watson, Ross Halls, Mark Heath and Mike Bacon (Image: Contributed)