He started reporting on matches for The Sentinel in Stoke-on-Trent when the newspaper’s Green ’Un was launched in January 1989 and had covered more than 800 games – from Fenton Park to Wembley.

One of his highlights was to be at the old Twin Towers when Leek Town reached the FA Trophy final in 1990.

Mr Hallett, who was survived by his wife Pat, specialised in covering the North West Counties League scene and expressed an honest, unbiased view, despite an affection for his local club Congleton Town, which he helped in fund raising.

But he was respected on all his travels throughout the area and turned out in all weathers to help promote the non-league game.

Wolverhampton-born, he became managing director of a chemical company, but spent recent years as a senior lecturer in marketing at Staffordshire University.

Away from football, his other interest was athletics. He was a coach and became manager of the Staffordshire cross country team.

The sports editor of The Sentinel, Keith Wales, said a little bit of what made the newspaper’s local coverage so special had been lost with Mr Hallett’s passing.

"Come rain, shine or snow, Peter would be there at some game or other. His dedication to the non-league cause was remarkable.

"I think many local clubs will realise the great debt they owe Peter Hallett for the promotion of the non-league game in South Cheshire and North Staffordshire. He will be sorely missed, and a very hard act to follow."

Newcastle Town’s chief executive Ken Walshaw said: "Peter always talked positively and put clubs in a good light. He will be a sad loss to local non-league football."