We Welcome Your Teams - Football as seen by stadium announcers

We're back for series 3 and it's straight into a big one, Mike Rankine, man on the mic at Crystal Palace FC.

Mike started in the season the club almost went into administration so fair to say he's seen a bit of drama beyond just the great matches he's hosted.

He talks about working during Covid and the time the fans started a petition to get him re-instated when he 'went upstairs' to be 'director of stadium announcers'

Also this episode, we ask Alan Keegan what music he might play for announcing the return of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lance Cook tells us the tune he rates as Walk Out Worthy from the Shoot Music Sport Playlists.
@sportplaylists

You can text Rich and Alan with a question here

Rich and Alan thought they should have a chat about the last series, then decided to open it up for other guests to join them...and record it.

Alan told us what it was like with fans back at Old Trafford plus being in the new Alex Ferguson movie.

Lance Cook from Bristol Rovers stepped up and brought some great stories, including one about a last minute panic at last year's Remembrance game.

There's clips from the series and some news about what we're up to for the Euros.

MUSIC DistrictFOUR by Kevin McLoed

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Peter Gilham is about to complete his 52nd season as announcer at Brentford. It makes him the longest serving stadium announcer in the UK (to the best of our knowledge, let us know if it's YOU...email [email protected]!)

Rich Hurst from West Brom and Alan Keegan from Man Utd interview Peter about why he loves the job so much and what's special about doing it.

He's got some great stories, from drafting in celebrity stand in's when he's had to miss a game to doing the team talk HIMSELF for the games against QPR.

As our final episode of series 2, it was great to have someone on as well respected as Peter.

MUSIC: DistrictFOUR by Kevin Mcleod, Theme from the Power Game by Cyril Stapleton.

You can text Rich and Alan with a question here

This time around we're chatting with Jason Thelwell, who's been at Oakwell for 30 years, across two spells but there's a good reason for that!

Rich Hurst of West Brom and Alan Keegan of Manchester United interview Jason about the great times to be the announcer at Barnsley, the best perk of the job and the walkout music they play which is very unique.

Scott Kirkpatrick from Ayr United joins us to share a great ceremony fail he sent us a video of and we try the lads out on a 'That's Not My Name' using a Georgian-born Greek goalkeeper.

Our twitter has more stories and videos and is the best place to get in touch. You can also find us on Instagram or email the host [email protected]

Music: DistrictFOUR by Kevin McLeod

You can text Rich and Alan with a question here

We're back and this time around we're chatting to Paul Coyte, half-time presenter at Tottenham Hotspur.

Along with Rich Hurst of West Brom and Alan Keegan of Man Utd, we talk about the famous players he's met, odd situations he's found himself in and the difference between White Hart Lane and the new Tottenham Hotspur stadium.

Paul did the presentation on the last day of White Hart Lane and has some emotional memories. 

Paul brought some great stuff to the table, including the times when, as announcer, you've never got enough hands and chimed in on the controversial subject of goal music.

You can see the player we tackled in the What's My Name feature on our twitter @announcerspod, it's a beauty.

Music: DistrictFour by Kevin Mcleod

You can text Rich and Alan with a question here

How did the stadium announcer at Forest Green Rovers get that job?

Fellow announcers Rich Hurst of West Brom and Alan Keegan of Man Utd talk to Joel Wagstaff, voice of the stands at FGR.

He tells us about the time his got the name of a local school horribly wrong whilst Alan takes us through his football tie collection!

There's another game of What's My Name ft a French-Morrocan guy and we find out the odd tune that Rovers walk out to.

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Music - DistrictFour by Kevin McLeod
Title graphics - Lewis Creates

You can text Rich and Alan with a question here

Rich Hurst of West Brom and Alan Keegan of Man Utd speak to Manchester City stadium announcer Alex Kirkley who's been at the Etihad for 10 years!

He announced THAT Sergio Aguero goal that won them the title in the dying minutes of the season. 

He tells us about his favourite moments, the clangers he's dropped and the time he went under the radar for a game at Old Trafford...little did we know, Alan Keegan has spent time on the Manchester City payroll - all is confessed!

Also check out derby day special episode featuring Alan and Alex talking about announcing at Manchester derbies gone by.

Music: DistrictFour - Kevin McLeod

You can text Rich and Alan with a question here

In this special episode, released ahead of the Manchester Derby,  hear stories of announcing from Man Utd's Alan Keegan and Man City's Alex Kirkley.

Host Rich Hurst gets them to talk specifically about their memories of announcing for Manchester derby, which down the years have seen some incredible drama.

As they're both such big fans of their club, you can hear the passion as they describe fond memories and nightmare matches, all from the point of view of one of the most unique jobs in sport, the stadium announcer.

We'll also be publishing a full episode with Alex, asking all about his time at the Etihad, so get subscribed!

MUSIC: DistrictFour by Kevin McLeod 

You can text Rich and Alan with a question here

Mike Botto has been stadium announcer at Bournemouth for nearly 15 years.

He told Rich Hurst of West Brom and Alan Keegan of Man Utd the fortunate way he landed the job and the opportunities it's brought with it.

We get his thoughts on being allowed to work during lockdown and the perks that come with basing yourself in the chairman's box for the games.

He's been there for some incredible moments in the Cherries' history, and missed out on a couple too, which he still hasn't forgiven himself for.

We play another game of What's My Name with a rude surname to stumble around and get the lowdown on the 255 sequence before kick off.

We also have Lance Cook at Bristol Rovers on whether announcers should be working at games and hear how Graeme White at Everton interrupts the BT Sport commentators.

MUSIC: DistrictFour by Kevin McLeod.

You can text Rich and Alan with a question here

Rod Allsworth has been at Fleetwood Town for 14 years and from day one, they've had the most unusual goal music you'll hear anywhere!

The music the team walks out to is pretty obscure too, but that's all thanks to the chairman. 

Rod chats with Rich Hurst and Alan Keegan about biggest wins/defeats and the times we've had to orchestrate a marriage proposal on the pitch - Alan's tale from Man Utd is a corker!

There's another edition of What's My Name with a great story of a player with tricky name causing Scott at Hearts a big problem.

And as always we talk about our guest's highs and lows from their career and what their 255 moment sounds like.

Check out our Spotify playlist Walk Out Music and our other episodes with announcers from around the UK

Music: DistrictFour by Kevin McLeod

You can text Rich and Alan with a question here