GEOFF Berkeley has joined the Worcester News as a full-time sports reporter with a specialist focus on football and basketball.

The 26-year-old is no stranger to the county’s news and sporting scene, having cut his journalistic teeth with a four-and-half year spell at Bullivant Media in Redditch.

Berkeley, who was born and bred in Coventry, has worked for a variety of Bullivant’s weekly titles, including the Bromsgrove Standard, Worcester Observer and Malvern Observer.

He joins a three-man sports team at Hylton Road, including sports editor James Reece and rugby reporter Ian Morgan.

The team will be producing lively and up-to-date print, video and online sports content for the Worcester News and its sister titles in the Newsquest stable.

Berkeley has been a regular on the press bench at Sixways for the past four seasons, reporting on the fortunes of Worcester Warriors.

“Covering Warriors’ dramatic Championship play-off final second leg against Bristol in May was a major highlight and something I will never forget,” he said.

Berkeley, who lives in Battenhall, is now looking forward to turning his attention to Worcester City, grassroots football and Worcester Wolves among other areas.

“Having worked on Worcestershire papers on a full-time basis for four years, I know the area and the sporting scene in the city and the county and I am very excited about this opportunity,” he said. “My role will include writing live blogs at Worcester City’s matches, producing video interviews and I will also be trying to increase the online profile of Worcester Wolves.

“I like the competitive nature of sport, the battles and excitement and all the drama that goes with it.

“I have covered a lot of non-league football as a freelance reporter and I particularly enjoy the grassroots game.

“As time has progressed, I have become even more aware of the importance of social media and the role of the digital media in journalism.”

Berkeley was bitten by the journalism bug after work experience at the age of 14 on the sports desk of the Coventry Telegraph.

He studied a sports journalism degree at the University of Central Lancashire in Preston.

Berkeley is a keen tennis fan as well as an avid snooker and pool player – he represented Warwickshire in pool at junior level.

Berkeley will be covering Worcester City’s important Vanarama National League North derby clash at Tamworth on Saturday (kick-off 3pm).

He remembers reporting on City’s final competitive game at St George’s Lane in April 2013.

“Carl Heeley was close to tears at the end of the match and it was a poignant moment in the club’s history,” recalled Berkeley.

“I did a fans’ reaction piece, a match report and reaction and it was a very emotional day for everyone connected with the club.

“I have followed City’s stadium situation closely as I have covered planning meetings and council meetings and it’s a very important issue for the future existence of the club.”

You can follow Berkeley at Twitter @geoffberkeleyWN or contact him at geoffb@worcesternews.co.uk or on 01905-742275.