SkyDaz Banter: Pre-Spurs

Last updated : 19 February 2004 By Darren Porter

Twelve months ago with Blues elevated to the Premiership Promised Land after a glorious day in Cardiff it was time to take full advantage just in case it was a one season wonder and the bookies were right. I had already covered a few Blues games for Sky Sports Fanzone (Preston play off semi final anyone?), some England games and I was in the last six of BBC WM Sport’s search for a new radio commentator. A few emails, phone calls and a successful radio debut covering Blues v Newcastle and I was thrust into the exotic world of the sports media. I was offered the opportunity of providing the Blues viewpoint for the Monday Night Football Show with Richard Keys and Andy Gray, the Fanzone for the Premiership debut against Arsenal and a radio press pass to some Blues games. What more could a humble, thirtysomething Bluenose from Great Barr want? How about a 2-0 away victory against the Villa with you screaming live on world wide television to The Horse ‘poke it in, just poke it in’? Fantastic. More during the season about Sky Sports with Keys and Gray exposed and the life of a sports radio presenter. Sometimes it’s hard to remember I’m not broadcasting so if you hear some guy behind you on the Tilton eulogising about a sublime piece of Dugarry skill be sympathetic. It’s just me practising. In fact if you had been at White Hart Lane last season I was one of about 3,000 Blues fans shouting ‘behind you’ to Andy Marriott. Two great displays against the Spurs, one point to show for it. Last season is now consigned to the history books, the acquisitions to improve on thirteenth place have been made and the scene is set. An early kick off could mean top spot. Oops, commentating again but wouldn’t it be great? Even just for a few hours.

Article reproduced with kind permission of the BCFC official matchday programme.