The News' chief sports writer Neil Allen wins top journalism award for Portsmouth work

Allen was among six writers shortlisted in the Regional Journalist category at Monday evening’s prestigious event.

He scooped top honours, having previously won the accolade 12 months earlier at the 2018 British Sports Journalism Awards.

Hosted by Jim Rosenthal, the awards were presented at a gala dinner staged at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge in London, with sports media’s biggest names present among the 500 guests.

Allen’s entries consisted of Lee Smith’s candid account of his hell at the hands of disgraced football coach Bob Higgins, Kev McCormack on 20 years as Pompey physio and lighting Robert Prosinecki's cigarettes and Sam Magri reflecting on unfulfilled potential having been an England starlet who once captained Raheem Sterling.

The Silver award in the category went to The Evening Standard’s James Olley and Bronze to Jon Colman from News & Star/The Cumberland News.

Allen was previously highly commended at the 2017 British Sports Journalism Awards.