That's really interesting and that's so him! Most journalists back in the day spent their time in various watering holes. He used to smoke a pipe and have a bottle of Scotch in the old press box at NP, though he was always on his best behavior around me as a was I nipper. It's hard to imagine the difference in sports journalism back then, typewriters, film (analogue) cameras with no manual focus, and phoning through copy to the press office on landlines.
There was never any chance of being disturbed in the 'private' clubs though! I do remember my mum not being very happy when he and my father got 'locked in' the Old Arcade one afternoon and couldn't get out - at least that was the version I was told!
Now you've mentioned the City reporter I'm absolutely sure you'll be right because you've jogged my memory and I think I'd heard that mentioned years ago.