David Emery is the reason that The Rugby Paper exists, and since its inception in September 2008 I have had the privilege of working alongside him.
David has been a great editor-in-chief of this paper, and we have all missed his presence, energy, wisdom and guidance since he suffered a debilitating stroke 15 months ago – and it is why the Tankard Award he received at the Rugby Union Writers' Club Lunch held at The Oval on Thursday was so important to us.
It was presented in recognition of David's outstanding contribution to rugby union journalism, and the game overall, in setting up the only dedicated UK/ English rugby union weekly, which covers the game 12 months a year.
He also ensured that The Rugby Paper has given a start, and encouragement, to a host of young journalists, and employed, or re-employed, half of Fleet Street's oval ball scribes – including myself and my colleagues Peter Jackson, Brendan Gallagher, Paul Rees and Chris Hewett – during the long years of slash and burn in national and regional papers.
It is fitting that David's sons, Matt and Sam, who have both carried on his legacy at The Rugby Paper, were there to see their father honoured among the great and good of the game, with recently retired England Women's captain Sarah Hunter winning the Pat Marshall Trophy, and England defence coach Kevin Sinfield the RUWC Special Award.
