Archie Newhouse, MBE

Posted: September 17, 2025

WE have heard only recently that ARCHIE NEWHOUSE, former greyhound editor of The Sporting Life, and later secretary of the National Greyhound Racing Club (NGRC) , died on December 5, 2024, aged 91.

Fondly remembered by many Lifers as “approachable and a good sort”, he wrote a weekly ‘My Greyhound World’ column for the paper, and would attend a lunch at the drop of a hat with anyone involved in greyhound racing. That often included his good friend and Greyhound Derby-winner Ray Lancaster, who was also the Life’s editorial manager.

Archie left the Life to run the National Greyhound Racing Club, initially under Fred Underhill before taking over when Fred retired. Archie was awarded an MBE in the Birthday Honours’ List in 1995, the year he retired as chief executive of the British Greyhound Racing Board and the NGRC, for services to greyhound racing.

Archie and his wife Vera, who died in 2023, spent their retirement between their home in Brentwood and their holiday house in the South of France. He was living in an East Sussex care home, close to family, at the time of his death.

His son Doug said: “Archie was happy in the care home, and enjoyed visits to our home, meals in local pubs, and fish and chips on Hastings seafront. However, he had become physically frail, and had a fall from which he failed to recover.”

Archie left four children, nine grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren. His son Doug added: “Although Archie had dementia in his latter years, he still talked proudly about his years on The Sporting Life. We all miss him greatly.”

Tributes from former colleagues – John Curle: It’s fair to say that, along with Bob Betts, Archie had a considerable influence on my life. He gave me a job on the greyhound desk, allowed me to take over tipping and write-ups at Romford from Jack Doheney, encouraged me to write features and, eventually, let me take over from Reg Potter when Reg retired. Without Archie’s help and mentoring, my career path would have been very different, so I owe him a lot. Archie was THE voice of greyhound racing through his Sporting Life column – My Greyhound World – and it was no surprise when he eventually joined, then headed, the NGRC. To me, he was a quiet, distinguished presence in the office and someone with absolute integrity. I suppose the real highlight of Archie’s career was Mutts Silver winning the 1976 Greyhound Derby. Archie found the dog for a syndicate headed by his good friend Ray Lancaster. Mutts Silver, a 6-1 chance, beat 4-5 favourite Ballybeg Prim in the White City final. It was a real triumph for all concerned. Reg Potter – in true Reg style – wanted to tip Ballybeg Prim, but Archie rightly overruled him. It would have looked ridiculous if the Life didn’t tip its own dog!”Archie’s leaving lunch was a famously riotous affair, with Betsy’s [Bob Betts] “This Is Your Life’ comedy act at its centre. The less said about what happened to me the better! It’s good to know Archie had a good life after retiring. He deserved it.

Jeremy Chapman: Archie was a very fine journalist indeed and a pleasure to work with. When I arrived at the Life in 1971 he was the best reporter on the staff. He got to the bottom of every story and was widely respected as the No. 1 man in the dog game. And he was so proud of his greyhound-desk team and the brilliant section of the paper he was in charge of. Popular with everyone, too, a great colleague.

Geoff Duffield: Archie had time for everyone.