RIP Alan

It's with great sadness that I have to report the death of Wor Al - yes, Wor Al the chicken, adopted as the official Black & White & Read All Over mascot. She fell ill a month ago and neither injections nor two extensive courses of antibiotics were enough to cure her of the infection or enable her to regain her appetite. Dopey and soft as clarts she may have been, but she bravely fought the illness until the bitter end.

As I sit here wearing my metaphorical black armband, though, I'm reminded of the fact that her time as mascot coincided with the players' spring heroics which saw us secure fifth spot in the Premier League against all the odds - so at least she died sporting the black and white stripes with pride.