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On one of those crisp autumnal afternoons where you don’t quite know how many layers to wear, it was the top Hatters who showed little indecision to set a club-record-eleventh win in a row to remain at the summit of the fourth tier.
With 9,735 present, stein-swilling supporters taking their time from the Oktoberfest tent to their seats may have missed the opener for Stockport County. It was the effervescent Odin Bailey showing his quality after four minutes with a defence-splitting incision through the Tranmere Rovers backline that allowed Isaac Tanto Olaofe to race onto the ball ahead of goalkeeper, Luke McGee, to give the home side the lead. 
The ex-Millwall man has had a career punctuated with loan spells but as he approaches his first year at Edgeley Park, he showed the home fans his quality in front of goal with an eleventh of the season in only 16 League Two outings.
County were rarely troubled in the first 45. Nigel Adkins remains in interim charge of Rovers after Ian Dawes’ departure and with the club second-bottom with no wins away from Prenton Park all season, it’s a tough task ahead for whoever takes charge.
Their task was made even tougher with ill-considered challenge of Harvey Saunders barely three minutes after the restart. A high challenge connected solely with Macauley Southam-Hales and a second yellow ensued.
These are halcyon days at County. Ten years ago this side was struggling in the Conference North after the most chaotic of implosions. The stands are barely recognisable from those bad old days, principally because the place is packed. The only seats available for today’s encounter were in the sun-drenched, uncovered Railway End. And since local businessman Mark Stott took over in January 2020 and the appointment of Dave Challinor 19 months later, there’s rarely been a cloud over Edgeley Park.
Their second came soon after the dismissal, player of the match Antoni Sarcevic latched onto a well-worked counter to gallop through and slot beyond McGee to wrap up the points. Chances continued to follow, with a chaotic passage of play with the ball cannoning off the post, bar and then off the line, as County went through the gears.
At the other end, 35-year-old Ben Hinchliffe showed he was as sprightly as ever with two finger-tipped saves to deny a foothold for Rovers but it was his opposite number, McGee, who was by far the busier of the goalies. Ten League Two wins in a row, eleven in all competitions leave this side in their own record books and now five clear at the top. The all-time record in the fourth tier is 12 victories in succession, from Luton Town in 2002, an accolade that is now in sight. It was a satisfied applause rather than a raucous reception of the full-time whistle. Winning is becoming habitual for this team. It is little wonder County scarves are being worn around the town, whatever the weather.
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What I learned is that cycling is one of the best sports to cover as a journalist…
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Why cycling? And why is it perfect for a sports journalist?
My bread and butter is football. F1 was my first love and I’ll get swept up in all the cricket, athletics, and tennis if I get the chance. I was there when Bradley Wiggins followed up his Tour de France success with Olympic Time Trial gold in 2012. I was there too as Chris Froome took on Alberto Contador up Sheffield’s unforgiving Jenkin Road (Côte de Jenkin Road as it had been renamed) when Le Tour started in the UK in 2014. But alas, I’m a lapsed fan. Lance Armstrong’s revelations with Oprah a year earlier had got the ball rolling and Team Sky’s chokehold on the sport did the rest.
My bread and butter is football. F1 was my first love and I’ll get swept up in all the cricket, athletics, and tennis if I get the chance. I was there when Bradley Wiggins followed up his Tour de France success with Olympic Time Trial gold in 2012. I was there too as Chris Froome took on Alberto Contador up Sheffield’s unforgiving Jenkin Road (Côte de Jenkin Road as it had been renamed) when Le Tour started in the UK in 2014. But alas, I’m a lapsed fan. Lance Armstrong’s revelations with Oprah a year earlier had got the ball rolling and Team Sky’s chokehold on the sport did the rest.
My view of Wiggo in 2012
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Precariously placed, I had a decent spot on Jenkin Road for Froome and co!
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Enter Netflix and a new generation of riders getting exposure to a new set of fans with Tour de France: Unchained – from the makers of F1 series Drive to Survive – and it’s got me back in the saddle.
Where could these new fans go for their fix? And who could take them along for the ride? That’s when the ‘On Yer Bike’ podcast was born. In Harriet Muckle I got in a newbie, Katy Madgwick an expert and Red Walters a pro rider, each with their own perspective, leaving no-one behind.
Katy was with us remotely, Red checked in whilst competing in Europe and me and Harriet travelled across the country following every stage – bar one in Harriet’s case - and me at all of them from Goole to Felixstowe.
Where could these new fans go for their fix? And who could take them along for the ride? That’s when the ‘On Yer Bike’ podcast was born. In Harriet Muckle I got in a newbie, Katy Madgwick an expert and Red Walters a pro rider, each with their own perspective, leaving no-one behind.
Katy was with us remotely, Red checked in whilst competing in Europe and me and Harriet travelled across the country following every stage – bar one in Harriet’s case - and me at all of them from Goole to Felixstowe.
Katy at the ToB in 2021. Katy publishes her own work on WriteBikeRepeat.com
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Red in his team colours, complete with Grenadian National Champion bands!
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Tom Pidcock of INEOS Grenadiers talking to young GB riders before Stage 1 of the Tour of Britain
So why is cycling potentially a brilliant sport to cover?
Access: You’re encouraged to talk to athletes!
The refined air of the Premier League permeates throughout football. Talking even to a fourth division manager or player can be tricky. Getting the right accreditation at the cricket can feel like you’re dealing with bouncers at your bonce and with F1, let’s not even go there!
Eddie Hearn was a guest on Test Match Special over the summer and was lamenting a lack of ‘characters’ in cricket. He talked about how that side of the sport is what has made boxing, snooker, and darts so popular in the UK. Well, they exist in cycling that’s for sure. How could they not? To survive a cycling tour there’s an element of madness. How else can you justify all that pain and sacrifice to be there? And then there’s getting straight back in the saddle after an off, battered, bloodied, and bruised.
Back to that Mancunian start line and said Olympian snapped with Harriet was our great British cycling hope, the multi-discipline world champion Tom Pidcock. And how on Earth did we manage such a coup on out new podcast? His accompanying INEOS Grenadiers team media officer, Hannah, just came up to us and asked, “Would you like to talk to Tom?”. No huge email chain, briefing or media scrum to contend with. And there we were, talking to our biggest British superstar and he was as typically honest and straight talking as you’d expect for a man from Yorkshire. Only fellow Yorkshireman, football manager Neil Warnock, 50 years his senior has been so honest in their conversations with me with mic in hand.
Want to talk to pretty much any of the world’s top riders? Get to the mix zone at the rider sign-on and that can be arranged, or just turn up at their team bus/camper! Especially at the Tour of Britain, which as a smaller race is much more relaxed, so I’m told.
Access: You’re encouraged to talk to athletes!
The refined air of the Premier League permeates throughout football. Talking even to a fourth division manager or player can be tricky. Getting the right accreditation at the cricket can feel like you’re dealing with bouncers at your bonce and with F1, let’s not even go there!
Eddie Hearn was a guest on Test Match Special over the summer and was lamenting a lack of ‘characters’ in cricket. He talked about how that side of the sport is what has made boxing, snooker, and darts so popular in the UK. Well, they exist in cycling that’s for sure. How could they not? To survive a cycling tour there’s an element of madness. How else can you justify all that pain and sacrifice to be there? And then there’s getting straight back in the saddle after an off, battered, bloodied, and bruised.
Back to that Mancunian start line and said Olympian snapped with Harriet was our great British cycling hope, the multi-discipline world champion Tom Pidcock. And how on Earth did we manage such a coup on out new podcast? His accompanying INEOS Grenadiers team media officer, Hannah, just came up to us and asked, “Would you like to talk to Tom?”. No huge email chain, briefing or media scrum to contend with. And there we were, talking to our biggest British superstar and he was as typically honest and straight talking as you’d expect for a man from Yorkshire. Only fellow Yorkshireman, football manager Neil Warnock, 50 years his senior has been so honest in their conversations with me with mic in hand.
Want to talk to pretty much any of the world’s top riders? Get to the mix zone at the rider sign-on and that can be arranged, or just turn up at their team bus/camper! Especially at the Tour of Britain, which as a smaller race is much more relaxed, so I’m told.
The INEO team bus at Wrexham
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Access: In fact, anyone will talk to you!
Doing my best Martin Brundle impression on various start lines, I ended up getting into in depth conversations with the commissaires (race officials like the FIA in F1), organisers, team bosses, the Shimano guys who drive around with spare wheels and bikes – you name it, they were there and happy to talk. It was all quite surreal. Nobody blocking you off. No-one doing their best Cara Delevingne impression. Me and Harriet did a live broadcast on the start line in Tewkesbury and other than having to keep our blue media vests to hand, we were golden!
Doing my best Martin Brundle impression on various start lines, I ended up getting into in depth conversations with the commissaires (race officials like the FIA in F1), organisers, team bosses, the Shimano guys who drive around with spare wheels and bikes – you name it, they were there and happy to talk. It was all quite surreal. Nobody blocking you off. No-one doing their best Cara Delevingne impression. Me and Harriet did a live broadcast on the start line in Tewkesbury and other than having to keep our blue media vests to hand, we were golden!
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Gatekeepers and stepping in to the unknown
An Asian bloke in a bucket hat with a microphone and a woman who’s dressed ready to go on TV at a moment’s notice, walk into the cycling tent mix zone. We stand out. How was that experience? I was prepared for the worst but was pleasantly surprised.
Harriet had issues on day one convincing the young lads on the media desk that she was indeed on the list for parking; I had someone whose opening gambit like a rutting stag was, ‘How long have you been doing this?’; and there was one journo who complained our line of questioning with Wout van Aert was ‘drowning his copy’(?!) BUT… that was basically it. That was the extent of the gatekeeping we experienced over a week of ostensibly becoming cycling journalists.
An Asian bloke in a bucket hat with a microphone and a woman who’s dressed ready to go on TV at a moment’s notice, walk into the cycling tent mix zone. We stand out. How was that experience? I was prepared for the worst but was pleasantly surprised.
Harriet had issues on day one convincing the young lads on the media desk that she was indeed on the list for parking; I had someone whose opening gambit like a rutting stag was, ‘How long have you been doing this?’; and there was one journo who complained our line of questioning with Wout van Aert was ‘drowning his copy’(?!) BUT… that was basically it. That was the extent of the gatekeeping we experienced over a week of ostensibly becoming cycling journalists.
Me, harriet and the bibs aka tabards!
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The Tour of Britain organisation were happy for us to be there, helped us when we needed a few things adjusting to get better access for audio recording and all in all went out of their way to accommodate us! How often can a journalist say that at a major sports event?
Add to that energy, enthusiasm and commitment of Harriet, the wealth of knowledge and patience from Katy as she guided us across the stages, and Red’s rider input whilst out competing and I think we managed to smash those gates wide open. And I haven’t even mentioned Dan Deakins and Anna McEwen, two cycling journalists and super-fans who also joined us along the way, jumping in with both feet in Felixstowe!
Add to that energy, enthusiasm and commitment of Harriet, the wealth of knowledge and patience from Katy as she guided us across the stages, and Red’s rider input whilst out competing and I think we managed to smash those gates wide open. And I haven’t even mentioned Dan Deakins and Anna McEwen, two cycling journalists and super-fans who also joined us along the way, jumping in with both feet in Felixstowe!
Olav Kooij who won four stages in a row!
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Is there any money in it?!
Ah, the million-dollar question. Well, in short, I believe so – but in testing economic times you’ve got to be creative, and we’re going to try and do that with On Yer Bike and see what happens! I’m convinced that as Netflix continues covering it, we’ll see new fans coming to the sport. The magnificent coverage from the Global Cycling Network and Eurosport mean for a modest annual outlay, you can follow pretty much any race across men’s and women’s categories. And there’s a huge number of fans on social media that love to talk cycling!!
Ah, the million-dollar question. Well, in short, I believe so – but in testing economic times you’ve got to be creative, and we’re going to try and do that with On Yer Bike and see what happens! I’m convinced that as Netflix continues covering it, we’ll see new fans coming to the sport. The magnificent coverage from the Global Cycling Network and Eurosport mean for a modest annual outlay, you can follow pretty much any race across men’s and women’s categories. And there’s a huge number of fans on social media that love to talk cycling!!
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By the final episode of our mini-series, we ended up in the commentary box in Caerphilly. Me and Harriet, over the course of a week, had gone from newbies to calling the action as it unfolded. It was only possible because the world of cycling – from riders and teams to officials and organisers, opened their doors to us and let us step into their world. It’s exactly what you want as a broadcaster and journalist wanting to take your listeners right into the heart of the action. What a ride and we ain’t stopping now!
Get On Yer Bike and join us!
Follow all of Katy's work here at WriteBikeRepeat.com
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Mid-show: Joe Thompson (left), Sanny Rudravajhala (centre), Dan Ogunshakin (right).
Countdown
14:54:58
14:54:59
14:55:00
There's a wooden box in front of me with buttons so big it looks like it's been designed for my 2-year-old son.
I press the giant gray square with the green triangle.
"LOCAL BBC RADIO! THIS IS QUAY HOUSE AT MEDIACITYUK SALFORD! SQUAD GOALS FOLLOWS NEXT ON THIS CIRCUIT!"
My heart is racing, and this is booming out across the studio and in my headphones seeping into my brain. And it's accompanied by the dizzying techno-beat of the BBC News theme tune. I have two minutes to compose myself.
It's Good Friday, 4th April 2021. A blue-muffed microphone dangles in front of me, arching out of a desk that looks like something out of Star Trek from my wheelie chair vantage-point. Beyond that sits my socially-distanced co-presenter - ex-footballer Joe Thompson. We've had Zooms, two pilots and now here we are.
I look at my notes. There's a LOT of paper. The stat packs and facts are strewn across the desk. Joe describes it like a scene out of 'A Beautiful Mind'. I've listened to five EFL podcasts on 1.4 speed, binge-watched last week's highlights, read virtually everything EFL-related on the BBC Sport website, The Athletic and The Football League Paper. And in front of me is the most jam-packed Google Doc you could ever imagine.
Silence. "LOCAL BBC RADIO! THIS IS QUAY HOUSE..." The loop re-starts. One minute to go.
To my right is a laptop with Lucy Oliva on screen in what looks like a box room with white-washed walls and little to place a location. She's in 'London', somewhere, and across the socials, ready to feed in online reaction to the day's events.
14:54:58
14:54:59
14:55:00
There's a wooden box in front of me with buttons so big it looks like it's been designed for my 2-year-old son.
I press the giant gray square with the green triangle.
"LOCAL BBC RADIO! THIS IS QUAY HOUSE AT MEDIACITYUK SALFORD! SQUAD GOALS FOLLOWS NEXT ON THIS CIRCUIT!"
My heart is racing, and this is booming out across the studio and in my headphones seeping into my brain. And it's accompanied by the dizzying techno-beat of the BBC News theme tune. I have two minutes to compose myself.
It's Good Friday, 4th April 2021. A blue-muffed microphone dangles in front of me, arching out of a desk that looks like something out of Star Trek from my wheelie chair vantage-point. Beyond that sits my socially-distanced co-presenter - ex-footballer Joe Thompson. We've had Zooms, two pilots and now here we are.
I look at my notes. There's a LOT of paper. The stat packs and facts are strewn across the desk. Joe describes it like a scene out of 'A Beautiful Mind'. I've listened to five EFL podcasts on 1.4 speed, binge-watched last week's highlights, read virtually everything EFL-related on the BBC Sport website, The Athletic and The Football League Paper. And in front of me is the most jam-packed Google Doc you could ever imagine.
Silence. "LOCAL BBC RADIO! THIS IS QUAY HOUSE..." The loop re-starts. One minute to go.
To my right is a laptop with Lucy Oliva on screen in what looks like a box room with white-washed walls and little to place a location. She's in 'London', somewhere, and across the socials, ready to feed in online reaction to the day's events.
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Behind the glass is Liam Bradford, the architect of the whole operation. At some point during that interminable period of Zoom quizzes, daily briefings, and empty stadiums, he had the idea of a radio show that could be summed up as 'Soccer Saturday but on the radio'. Why had nobody thought of it sooner? That show on Sky for the last 30 years is essentially a radio show! And here we are, Squad Goals. It replaces a looped message about not having commentary rights online that has been otherwise been going out across local radio for years.
"30 SECONDS!"
Deep breathing. I'm aware that I'm not yet calm. And I need to be. Or at least, calm enough to press all the buttons in a moment. It's not just talking. On the B of the bang there's one button to press, mic fade up, say something coherent, fire another button, pull the first fader down, press the button to stop that track playing, let the bed kick in from the second track I've started, pull my fader back up. 'Shit, have I pulled the other faders up? Yes, well, I have now. Is my script at the right place? Yes it is. Breathe!'
"Ten, nine, eight..."
I get a voice in my right ear, "Howay lads, have a good'un." Our producer Andy Bell with a Tyneside twang helps me snap out of my moment. He has been our guiding light and will continue to be so for the next two years - with reminders on the technicals like going for a trail or pushing local radio but also helping us not get bogged down and if it's not going well, giving us the direct and actionable feedback.
"Six, five..." SILENCE.
"30 SECONDS!"
Deep breathing. I'm aware that I'm not yet calm. And I need to be. Or at least, calm enough to press all the buttons in a moment. It's not just talking. On the B of the bang there's one button to press, mic fade up, say something coherent, fire another button, pull the first fader down, press the button to stop that track playing, let the bed kick in from the second track I've started, pull my fader back up. 'Shit, have I pulled the other faders up? Yes, well, I have now. Is my script at the right place? Yes it is. Breathe!'
"Ten, nine, eight..."
I get a voice in my right ear, "Howay lads, have a good'un." Our producer Andy Bell with a Tyneside twang helps me snap out of my moment. He has been our guiding light and will continue to be so for the next two years - with reminders on the technicals like going for a trail or pushing local radio but also helping us not get bogged down and if it's not going well, giving us the direct and actionable feedback.
"Six, five..." SILENCE.
 | "Oh ffs, come on Sanny. You've not faded yourself up! You're supposed to be putting in one final, faultless show and you've failed already. Wait no, this has happened before and it's fine, laugh it off." |
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Finale
Let's fast forward 766 days. And at that exact same moment, it's time to start our final show.
We've said goodbye to Lucy and hello to Welsh wonder Gabriella Jukes this season. It's a triple-header for the EFL final day. Friday's League One carnage had Gabriella with us in the flesh but subbing in for League Two and The Championship is Josh Shreeve, on Zoom from somewhere in London, just like that first show.
And coming in for the brilliant ex-pro Calvin Andrew, who was with us for League Two, is Dan Ogunshakin. He's up from an early shift on the ground floor, helping produce the sport for BBC Breakfast. If I thought we were tired... he's been up since 4am.
These days, there is no intro script. I've been trying to do it in my head. It's all in there by now.
I fire the bed. "Good afternoon..." 'Oh ffs, come on Sanny. You've not faded yourself up! You're supposed to be putting in one final, faultless show and you've failed already. Wait no, this has happened before and it's fine, laugh it off.'
Dan is chuckling to himself. He knows that would have annoyed me. But only we know this, no-one listening does, and we've done enough shows now. Before I would have let those thoughts cascade but instead I pull up the fader. 1.5 seconds later than I should have done and we begin.
"Good afternoon, it's five to three, it's EFL time."
"I'm Joe and he's Sanny and this is Squad Goals!"
We've hit those timings well. If Joe doesn't come straight off me saying, 'EFL time', it sounds clunky. Andy once said you could park a Mondeo in the space we'd left. That blue Ford flashes up in my mind.
Finale
Let's fast forward 766 days. And at that exact same moment, it's time to start our final show.
We've said goodbye to Lucy and hello to Welsh wonder Gabriella Jukes this season. It's a triple-header for the EFL final day. Friday's League One carnage had Gabriella with us in the flesh but subbing in for League Two and The Championship is Josh Shreeve, on Zoom from somewhere in London, just like that first show.
And coming in for the brilliant ex-pro Calvin Andrew, who was with us for League Two, is Dan Ogunshakin. He's up from an early shift on the ground floor, helping produce the sport for BBC Breakfast. If I thought we were tired... he's been up since 4am.
These days, there is no intro script. I've been trying to do it in my head. It's all in there by now.
I fire the bed. "Good afternoon..." 'Oh ffs, come on Sanny. You've not faded yourself up! You're supposed to be putting in one final, faultless show and you've failed already. Wait no, this has happened before and it's fine, laugh it off.'
Dan is chuckling to himself. He knows that would have annoyed me. But only we know this, no-one listening does, and we've done enough shows now. Before I would have let those thoughts cascade but instead I pull up the fader. 1.5 seconds later than I should have done and we begin.
"Good afternoon, it's five to three, it's EFL time."
"I'm Joe and he's Sanny and this is Squad Goals!"
We've hit those timings well. If Joe doesn't come straight off me saying, 'EFL time', it sounds clunky. Andy once said you could park a Mondeo in the space we'd left. That blue Ford flashes up in my mind.
L1 Final Day team - Joe, Natalie, Gabriella and me
And we're away. I wrap around our team with intros, fade out the High Flying Birds track that sounds like we're going to war and remind everyone that commentaries are on DAB, FM, Freeview and for some, Medium Wave. Oh, and don't forget we're on the BBC Sport website and App too! I always name-drop the journalists covering the EFL live page. On a day like today Ian Woodcock, Matt Newsum, Luke de Costa, and Adam Lanigan deserve a mention. The goals go in, it's brilliant, beautiful, beguiling chaos. Millwall are in the play-offs, then it's West Brom and finally Sunderland steal the show.
We get listeners getting in touch from all over the world. Andrew hiking in the Alps sharing the show with his son listening in Newcastle. Stephen shouting out loud as Gustavo Hamer gives Coventry the lead. He's on plane from Austin to Orlando! Tracey, on her honeymoon in Turkey messages throughout - she ended up dancing around a restaurant as Sunderland secure sixth spot. They've all made Josh's job look easy. Brilliant.
We go out on a high.
| | After League One's final day, I headed down to the BBC Sport team where I then produced an entire review of League One and the National League Play-Offs. It was a very long day! Here's me with Gavin Ramjaun for BBC Sportsday. I did the same the next day, but this time with a bit more help... |
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Team
Me and Joe have both decided this will be our final show. For different but certainly similar reasons. Seeing the kids is one. We both have an extra mouth to feed at home but it would be nice to see them on a weekend. We also have other potential work lined up and we're much better broadcasters to be able to do that work. We've figured each other out. Joe knows when to pick up from me and I know when to give him a moment. We've become a proper double-act. It's not the same when he's not there. Things don't flow in the same way. The frictionless bullet train is a bit more Pendolino. I'll miss him and I'll miss this. When we started, I was a the mature student, studying broadcast journalism at Salford and scraping by, by taking any and all radio work. Joe had not long-since hung up his boots but had a diverse portfolio of work, especially as a motivational speaker. Neither of us were radio presenters. The credit for that goes to Bell and Bradford. The real Squad Goals double-act. They are as good cop/bad cop as you can get and are exactly what any budding broadcaster needs. They'll be very specific. The tiniest slip will be noticed. The bigger picture is always kept in frame. With about 30 years experience between them, they've put their all into helping us find our voices and for our part, we've hung on their every word and pushed each other on with every show. They've both gone freelance too and started their own production company since we started - Melting It - hit them up! |
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 I'm still working on not posing awkwardly. |  A glimpse at the Google Doc  2022/23 Tuesday Team (left to right: Natalie, Henry, Calvin & Lucy) |
Our third voice has also been vital. The show wouldn't work without them. Lucy Oliva was just superb when she started. It took 45 minutes of the first pilot to change her role from off-air to on-air and the show never looked back. She was a hard act to follow but both Gabriella and Josh made it their own and in their own ways. It keeps the show moving really well.
In amongst all this is a Tuesday team too. It's been great tuning in to Henry Liston together with Natalie Pike, Calvin Andrew and Lucy Inman. It has a different vibe and fewer games. It helped me learn that there are different ways to do the same show and there are lots of bits I stole. The biggest one being remembering to have fun.
I've found out a lot about myself too. How I work, why I do things the way I do. When you're constantly assessing your performance and on such a public platform, it really does hone in on your failings and strengths. How can you box smart to not expose those failings and what can you do to fix them? Does that even help you outside the studio too?
In amongst all this is a Tuesday team too. It's been great tuning in to Henry Liston together with Natalie Pike, Calvin Andrew and Lucy Inman. It has a different vibe and fewer games. It helped me learn that there are different ways to do the same show and there are lots of bits I stole. The biggest one being remembering to have fun.
I've found out a lot about myself too. How I work, why I do things the way I do. When you're constantly assessing your performance and on such a public platform, it really does hone in on your failings and strengths. How can you box smart to not expose those failings and what can you do to fix them? Does that even help you outside the studio too?
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New Voices
For me, Squad Goals is the absolute vindication of giving new voices a chance. There's no denying that radio and broadcasting has a diversity issue. Visual and socio-economic. The programme hasn't been a panacea, but it has shown that you can take underrepresented voices and with the right platform and guidance, they can produce something that speaks loudly and proudly to a diverging audience who have a pick n mix of choice for entertainment.
We've had so many new voices as our guests too. Diehards with passion, just needing a platform. And we've of course, taken a moment to highlight issues they may face in football. Like Aaron Diskin the Oldham fan who told us about going home and away as a powerchair user, or Hannah Kumari the Coventry supporter who's created a one-woman show on life as a female British Asian football fan in the 1990s. Like me, Charles Commins our Northampton Town fan thought his chance broadcasting had passed him by but he's one of our best voices. First and foremost however, all our contributors are there to share their love of football and shout out as soon as the ball hits the back of the net in their designated division.
 Liam, Aaron & me |  Hannah with her home set-up |  Charles, me & Joe - all with a different wardrobe memo. |
And that's the thing isn't it? It's not about diversity for the sake of it. How many British Asian presenters are there presenting Saturday sport? How many ex-footballers from Joe's background have been given the mic outright, rather than sitting solely in the pundit's chair? How many football fans out there are just needing the smallest of pushes to share their story? Are they good enough? Well, there's only one way to find out.
And that's where our journey ends and a new one, for new voices can begin. Squad Goals has been the perfect place for me to learn how to be a better broadcaster and beyond. That radio desk no longer feels like the Starship Enterprise. It's time to let someone else boldly begin in that big chair.
Reviewing The Championship and League Two's final day. This time I did need a bit of help getting everything together in time for BBC Sportday - with Chetan Pathak!
 A rare photo of Andy Bell (right) with ex-pro David Buchanan joining us (left) |  Joined by Michael Redford (left) and Josh Shreeve in the flesh! (right) |
 The time Joe turned up in Craig David fancy dress |  You'll see Gabriella soon enough on a big platform! |  Me and Lucy at the Squad Goals photoshoot, without Joe because he booked a holiday. |
 Aadam Patel is going to go supernova, mark my words! |  Joined by Dean Holden, 4 weeks later he was named manager of Charlton Athletic! That's what you call being plugged into the EFL! |  Calvin Andrew - what a man. |
 |  Prep, prep and prep some more! |
It's June 2022 and I'm on our first full family holiday. Me, our 4-month-old, 3-year-old, and my wife... and I've abandoned them all. Well, only temporarily. I've got a Zoom with Refresh Sports which, due to me wanting to hit the ground running, I'm taking from our hotel balcony, whilst Katie keeps the kids happy.
It's a meeting that's been a long time coming, the fact I've scheduled it during my holiday probably sums up last year! A lot of saying yes, putting in the hours, gaining experience and learning... at the cost of seeing my family as much I should have. But perhaps things may change off the back of this chat...
Fast forward to May 2023 and I'm sitting on the ground floor of the University of Salford's MediaCityUK campus building signing up with Leon Mann and his Refresh Sports team, led on the 'talent' side of things by Lauren Ferdinand.
It's a meeting that's been a long time coming, the fact I've scheduled it during my holiday probably sums up last year! A lot of saying yes, putting in the hours, gaining experience and learning... at the cost of seeing my family as much I should have. But perhaps things may change off the back of this chat...
Fast forward to May 2023 and I'm sitting on the ground floor of the University of Salford's MediaCityUK campus building signing up with Leon Mann and his Refresh Sports team, led on the 'talent' side of things by Lauren Ferdinand.
With Lauren and Leon meeting at my alma mater - Salford Uni at Media City
It's been a completely bonkers few years since I re-trained and left teaching. And it's been challenging. I get a lot of messages from young journalists asking how I've got here and as I'll no doubt repeat on this blog a lot, it's through a combination of sheer luck, hard work, reflecting on my practice and luck again. It's also been through a lot of sacrifice. I think making Out of Our League worked out at about £1 an hour (a 10-part podcast series for BBC Sounds on Bury FC/AFC) and I missed seeing Byron a lot during that time. He was around 2 and would come into the bedroom to say goodnight, whilst I was on a Zoom with Mark Crossley with a shared screen of Adobe Audition. And that was every night for about 6 months during the pandemic. Going back to university to re-train and picking up shifts in local radio was a brilliant grounding but also left us struggling to stay afloat and that was still the case going into presenting BBC Squad Goals.
These are the sorts of issues that freelancers can regularly face. Or at least, the experience of it then feeds the fear of that situation arising again. And that’s partly the drive of the freelancer to say 'yes' to all the shifts going. You're constantly at the crease, batting away and either scoring runs or holding on until the light fades.
I've come into this with no connections in journalism. No friends or family that can hook me up with some work experience. And no direct line to any decision-makers at any football club, media organisation or newspaper. My childhood dreams of becoming a journalist had long-since faded. The only reason I'm here at all is through BBC Local Radio's New Voices search in 2019 and through gaining a fee grant from The Journalism Diversity Fund. That and luck, coincidence and just so happening to be in the right place at the right time.
So here we are - how much longer can I go it alone? Well, basically until today. This is as far as I have taken things in three and a half years, going pretty much non-stop, mostly through necessity and also, through a desire to be better and roll the dice with this journalism malarkey and see what happens. And what a journey it's been! If it doesn't get any better than this then I can say I've had a good run.
At some point in this media world, you hit a ceiling. You get stuck. It's not just media though - I was at that point in teaching. And it can coincide with life getting in the way anyway. But it definitely exists in this industry. I think I probably have the bloody-mindedness and sheer force of will to break through eventually. The cost though, may be too great. The amount of energy to keep posting, emailing schedulers, meeting people, cold emails, waiting for a phone call that may never arrive... it actually takes away from you being a better broadcaster. It gobbles up your downtime and has stopped me being a better dad, a better husband and a better friend. Sports broadcasting can take a lot from you and to allow the hustle to take the last of you, is quite a difficult prospect. And after all that, you don't have all the answers either!
So, what if (keeping up that earlier cricket analogy) you had someone, at the other end of the wicket batting with you? Someone who's faced every type of ball coming, and can have a word in your ear whilst changing ends and give you just the right advice at the right time? What if (and I'm giving up that analogy now) you have someone in your corner who already has all those doors open that you're banging on and they already know who you may be the perfect person for, and can knock on doors you didn’t know exist?
These are the sorts of issues that freelancers can regularly face. Or at least, the experience of it then feeds the fear of that situation arising again. And that’s partly the drive of the freelancer to say 'yes' to all the shifts going. You're constantly at the crease, batting away and either scoring runs or holding on until the light fades.
I've come into this with no connections in journalism. No friends or family that can hook me up with some work experience. And no direct line to any decision-makers at any football club, media organisation or newspaper. My childhood dreams of becoming a journalist had long-since faded. The only reason I'm here at all is through BBC Local Radio's New Voices search in 2019 and through gaining a fee grant from The Journalism Diversity Fund. That and luck, coincidence and just so happening to be in the right place at the right time.
So here we are - how much longer can I go it alone? Well, basically until today. This is as far as I have taken things in three and a half years, going pretty much non-stop, mostly through necessity and also, through a desire to be better and roll the dice with this journalism malarkey and see what happens. And what a journey it's been! If it doesn't get any better than this then I can say I've had a good run.
At some point in this media world, you hit a ceiling. You get stuck. It's not just media though - I was at that point in teaching. And it can coincide with life getting in the way anyway. But it definitely exists in this industry. I think I probably have the bloody-mindedness and sheer force of will to break through eventually. The cost though, may be too great. The amount of energy to keep posting, emailing schedulers, meeting people, cold emails, waiting for a phone call that may never arrive... it actually takes away from you being a better broadcaster. It gobbles up your downtime and has stopped me being a better dad, a better husband and a better friend. Sports broadcasting can take a lot from you and to allow the hustle to take the last of you, is quite a difficult prospect. And after all that, you don't have all the answers either!
So, what if (keeping up that earlier cricket analogy) you had someone, at the other end of the wicket batting with you? Someone who's faced every type of ball coming, and can have a word in your ear whilst changing ends and give you just the right advice at the right time? What if (and I'm giving up that analogy now) you have someone in your corner who already has all those doors open that you're banging on and they already know who you may be the perfect person for, and can knock on doors you didn’t know exist?
The Refresh team
That's my general rationale with getting an agent and I’m really excited about Refresh. Leon has been on a similar path to mine and did it at a time where hearts and minds were not as open as they are now. They are pushing and succeeding in doing things differently at a time where that's really needed. Having journalists and broadcasters that have a wider range of life experiences, outlooks and backgrounds helps the industry stay relevant. After all, it's broadcasting not narrowcasting. And having come through the JDF, it's something I care deeply about. The diversity imbalance in our newsrooms is something that needs redressing. And when you look at the Refresh roster, diversity is a part of that but the sheer talent and brilliance of all those signed up is what shines through and it’s quite unbelievable to be able to be put up anywhere near them. But enough of that…
I'm excited for what happens next and keep developing, working hard, having someone to bounce my ideas and pitches off and keep on this rollercoaster - with the added help of Refresh Sports. And if it means I can focus my energies on being a better broadcaster, a better father, and a better husband (not in that order!) then it can only lead to better outcomes all round.
I'm excited for what happens next and keep developing, working hard, having someone to bounce my ideas and pitches off and keep on this rollercoaster - with the added help of Refresh Sports. And if it means I can focus my energies on being a better broadcaster, a better father, and a better husband (not in that order!) then it can only lead to better outcomes all round.
□ REFRESH SIGNING □
— Refresh Sports (@Refreshsport) May 3, 2023
We are delighted to welcome @SannyR1985 to Refresh Sports! □️
Sanny is a talented broadcaster and radio presenter, regularly reporting for Sky Sports News and BBC Sport and can be heard on the airwaves reporting for 5 Live Sport across the country. pic.twitter.com/SSvF6xvEIB
It's been a rollercoaster few weeks! From presenting and producing in Salford for BBC Sport to getting out and about for 5 Live and Sky Sports. In amongst it all, I found a few moments to do what, I guess was the precursor to this blog and made a thread with some advice, written spontaeously whilst sat on the sofa and it blew up!!
It was inspired by a load of positive interractions - particularly at Rochdale, where I returned after two years away but this time with 5 Live Sport and not BBC Radio Manchester. My reception was lovely and the staff that I'd known from what felt like a lifetime ago, where just as warm and welcoming as always, despite the club on the vergue of League Two relegation.
The other inspiration were some, perhaps less positive interractions. Nothing too bad - maybe the way a couple of people carried themselves that just caused me to reflect on how they had come across and re-affirm my own outlook of being positive and respectful as a journalist.
Brilliantly, somebody got the Thread Reader App to put it all together for me, so here it is below!
Three and a half years into this #journalism broadcasting malarkey, I thought I’d share some tips. ?
1/ Don’t be a d*ck.
This one’s obvious right? Well, you’d be surprised. Being decent and courteous with everyone you meet can only be a good thing. And people remember.
2/ You aren’t the story.
99.9% of the time the reporter is not the story. In fact, most people don’t know who you are, no matter how good you may be. So spending your energy trying to steal the show, as opposed to using it to be better is, in my opinion, futile.
3/ Be better.
Watch & listen to your stuff back. Think about how you could have improved it. Ask for proper and specific feedback. Share your work and receive criticism with an open mind. Understand the ‘why’ in the feedback and act on it.
4/ Prepare.
On the way to the Leeds United presser, listened to four podcasts on my drive. I’d already watched all the goals, made notes and spent an age on what I’d ask the manager and why. And here’s my match notes for updates for @5liveSport - written as if I was commentating. twitter.com/i/web/status/1…
5/ Prepare more.
Yes you don’t have to do all that, it’s unsustainable in some respects BUT the habit means that when asked at short notice to report, your brain is wired to quickly work on the most essential prep you need. At Rochdale last Tues for example. twitter.com/i/web/status/1…
6/ Put in the time to hone your craft.
I still have a long way to go on this front. And I’m grateful for what I’ve had so far. But I’ve also shadowed for free, written for free, worked at a loss and worked in sport after a full day of my previous day job. Take all opportunities.
7 / Loyalty.
It’s cut-throat and fast-moving I know that. But respecting who you work for is important. Especially as they are investing in you and giving you the chance to develop. Be honest if opportunities come along. Think about whether you are ready or need more time.
8/ Get out of your head.
The double edge sword of being a reflective learner is that it’s easy to get full of self-doubt. Parking that is a skill in itself. I’m still working on this.
9/ Ignore the haters.
As a journalist, you may have to make peace with being disliked. As a broadcaster, it’s almost inherent that you want to be liked. It’s hard to juggle those two! And it’s a competitive industry. Try to ignore rumour and rudeness. Not a vibe.
10 / Say Hello.
You are not too busy or too important to not be decent enough to say hello to people. Whether it’s in the office or in the press box. Some of my opportunities have come along just by merely making that initial connection of saying hello!
10 Say hello pt2.
Use LinkedIn, share your work, make connections on Twitter. And if you see one of your Internet connections in real life, say hello, and introduce yourself! Even if it’s just to put a body to your floating head. And you never know where it may lead.
11/ Don’t pull the ladder up.
I’m not a spiritual or religious person really. But let’s say it’s good karma to help others if you can. And you never know when one day, you might need a good word putting in. This is a random photo.
12/ Graft - and don’t be a flake.
It’s hard if you’re working for free, experience or extra but it will pay off. Don’t flake. Be reliable. Don’t let people down. Being consistently there will help you get better & automate skills. Easy to say no - you’ll be better with yes.
13 / Get qualified.
I went and retrained and have an MA @UoSJournalism & @NCTJ_news gold credits in all bar shorthand (still working on it). These qualifications really help both in skills and pushing you up beyond entry level. Respect the work involved and get LOADS of work exp.
14 / Say Yes!
Going back to 12/ going the extra mile and saying yes to those extra requests can really pay off. Especially with experience for you to help you develop. About 70% of the stuff in my SJA showreel was extra bits! Crazy really!
15/ And finally… enjoy it and appreciate it.
I won’t stop taking snaps or selfies of where I am. What a job and what a privilege to be doing it. It could all end tomorrow! Who knows?! Appreciate the moment - because especially in sport, my inner 10-year-old would be amazed!
It was inspired by a load of positive interractions - particularly at Rochdale, where I returned after two years away but this time with 5 Live Sport and not BBC Radio Manchester. My reception was lovely and the staff that I'd known from what felt like a lifetime ago, where just as warm and welcoming as always, despite the club on the vergue of League Two relegation.
The other inspiration were some, perhaps less positive interractions. Nothing too bad - maybe the way a couple of people carried themselves that just caused me to reflect on how they had come across and re-affirm my own outlook of being positive and respectful as a journalist.
Brilliantly, somebody got the Thread Reader App to put it all together for me, so here it is below!
Three and a half years into this #journalism broadcasting malarkey, I thought I’d share some tips. ?
1/ Don’t be a d*ck.
This one’s obvious right? Well, you’d be surprised. Being decent and courteous with everyone you meet can only be a good thing. And people remember.
2/ You aren’t the story.
99.9% of the time the reporter is not the story. In fact, most people don’t know who you are, no matter how good you may be. So spending your energy trying to steal the show, as opposed to using it to be better is, in my opinion, futile.
3/ Be better.
Watch & listen to your stuff back. Think about how you could have improved it. Ask for proper and specific feedback. Share your work and receive criticism with an open mind. Understand the ‘why’ in the feedback and act on it.
4/ Prepare.
On the way to the Leeds United presser, listened to four podcasts on my drive. I’d already watched all the goals, made notes and spent an age on what I’d ask the manager and why. And here’s my match notes for updates for @5liveSport - written as if I was commentating. twitter.com/i/web/status/1…
5/ Prepare more.
Yes you don’t have to do all that, it’s unsustainable in some respects BUT the habit means that when asked at short notice to report, your brain is wired to quickly work on the most essential prep you need. At Rochdale last Tues for example. twitter.com/i/web/status/1…
6/ Put in the time to hone your craft.
I still have a long way to go on this front. And I’m grateful for what I’ve had so far. But I’ve also shadowed for free, written for free, worked at a loss and worked in sport after a full day of my previous day job. Take all opportunities.
7 / Loyalty.
It’s cut-throat and fast-moving I know that. But respecting who you work for is important. Especially as they are investing in you and giving you the chance to develop. Be honest if opportunities come along. Think about whether you are ready or need more time.
8/ Get out of your head.
The double edge sword of being a reflective learner is that it’s easy to get full of self-doubt. Parking that is a skill in itself. I’m still working on this.
9/ Ignore the haters.
As a journalist, you may have to make peace with being disliked. As a broadcaster, it’s almost inherent that you want to be liked. It’s hard to juggle those two! And it’s a competitive industry. Try to ignore rumour and rudeness. Not a vibe.
10 / Say Hello.
You are not too busy or too important to not be decent enough to say hello to people. Whether it’s in the office or in the press box. Some of my opportunities have come along just by merely making that initial connection of saying hello!
10 Say hello pt2.
Use LinkedIn, share your work, make connections on Twitter. And if you see one of your Internet connections in real life, say hello, and introduce yourself! Even if it’s just to put a body to your floating head. And you never know where it may lead.
11/ Don’t pull the ladder up.
I’m not a spiritual or religious person really. But let’s say it’s good karma to help others if you can. And you never know when one day, you might need a good word putting in. This is a random photo.
12/ Graft - and don’t be a flake.
It’s hard if you’re working for free, experience or extra but it will pay off. Don’t flake. Be reliable. Don’t let people down. Being consistently there will help you get better & automate skills. Easy to say no - you’ll be better with yes.
13 / Get qualified.
I went and retrained and have an MA @UoSJournalism & @NCTJ_news gold credits in all bar shorthand (still working on it). These qualifications really help both in skills and pushing you up beyond entry level. Respect the work involved and get LOADS of work exp.
14 / Say Yes!
Going back to 12/ going the extra mile and saying yes to those extra requests can really pay off. Especially with experience for you to help you develop. About 70% of the stuff in my SJA showreel was extra bits! Crazy really!
15/ And finally… enjoy it and appreciate it.
I won’t stop taking snaps or selfies of where I am. What a job and what a privilege to be doing it. It could all end tomorrow! Who knows?! Appreciate the moment - because especially in sport, my inner 10-year-old would be amazed!
Three and a half years into this #journalism broadcasting malarkey, I thought I’d share some tips. □
— Sanny Rudravajhala □□□ (@SannyR1985) April 24, 2023
1/ Don’t be a d*ck.
This one’s obvious right? Well, you’d be surprised. Being decent and courteous with everyone you meet can only be a good thing. And people remember. pic.twitter.com/xnng2RXyAn
Sanny Rudravajhala
Navigating media, freelancing and parenting...
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