Vale: Mike Cockerill

Football commentator and journalist Mike Cockerill best known for FOX Sports & Fairfax, has died aged 56.

He died following an illness.

Cockerill had reported on football in Australia for more than three decades.

FOX Sports head of live sport Steve Crawley said Cockerill had been fighting cancer for several years.

“He was a wonderful person and a superb broadcaster and journalist — one of the true greats of the craft,” said Crawley.

Mark Bosnich added: “He was a giant for football in journalism in this country. His contribution will never be forgotten.”

“Mike was greatly respected,” said Robbie Slater. “A really top man. We pass on all our best to his family.

“He was a very, very special person to me. I’ve known him since I was 17. It’s a huge shock to me. He was doing the FFA Cup only four weeks ago and he’s been struck down. It happened very, very quickly.”

SBS football commentator Craig Foster said Cockerill had been a “great servant to the game”.

Source: FOX Sports, SMH