Nigel Johnson (the living legend)
1500 and still going strong
Nu, tack vare Internet (vad gjorde man innan det?) kan man lyssna på Stoke Citys matcher live. Alla håller med om att det är fantastisk (förutom min fru kanske).
Det finns Stoke City fans överallt i världen som oavsett klockslag är fast vid sin dator och lyssnar och hejar på våra hjältar. Och vem är det vi hör om inte Nigel Johnson som ifjol kommenterade sin 1500e Stoke City match. En fantastisk prestation. Nigel Johnson förknippas lika mycket med Stoke City som Ingvar Kamprad förknippas med IKEA.
Håkan och jag fick möjligheten att ställa några frågor till denna ödmjuka folklegend.
Varsågod och läs.
1. Have you always lived in the Potteries area, and did you watch Stoke City as a boy?
Yes and yes! I grew up in Chesterton near Newcastle-under-Lyme.
2. Who were your heroes during these times?
Heroes as a boy included Ken Thomson, Frank Bowyer and Les Johnston/
3. Were you a good player yourself, which teams have you played for?
I was very average but my sports were rugby, hockey and cricket.
4. How did you get, what I think a lot of people would consider the world’s most perfect job?
I stopped playing cricket for Porthill Park in 1969 having played against Garfield Sobers and Wes Hall and the chance came up to do some cricket reports for Radio Stoke, moving to cover Stoke City away only in 1970, the rest is history.
5. Is it a thankless job (like a football manager) do people on the street think they can always do better?
I'm sure that when mistakes are made eyebrows are raised but I am very fortunate to be able to commentate on The Potters.
6. I don’t think people realize here in Sweden that you are not employed full-time by Radio Stoke but have had a full-time job elsewhere, could you tell us about it please.
I was a headteacher for 26 out of 36 years before taking early retirement in 200.
7. You must have a very understanding family, are they interested in Stoke City too?
My two sons are very interested one is an Inspector in the police force, and the other works for the BBC in Southampton doing TV Sport. Sadly my wife died last summer.
8. Could you tell us, when and where was your first game commentating Stoke City?
West Brom away and we lost 5-2, it was an evening kick off and the report was done on a telephone
9. Has the equipment changed a lot since then? Rumour has it that you’re not so interested in computers?
The rumours are right, but things have changed a great deal since 1970.
10. What is your normal ritual for home games?
Leave home at 1250, arrive at Britannia at 13:10, set up equipment, get team news from Dave Kemp at 13:40, and first piece on-air 14:05.
11. What about travelling, is it easier now to reach grounds (better motorway systems) or was it easier then (less traffic)?
If anything it's harder and more difficult because of the number and cars and the roadworks.
12. Do you drive yourself; do you travel the night before for away games?
Yes I drive myself with colleagues but there's no money for overnight
13. Have you ever been late for a game? Or at least any close calls?
Yes I was late for the first day of the season away at Cardiff when I had a problem with my new Jaguar and had to be towed to Worcester, on another occasion travelling by train to London to go to Wimbledon the engine caught fire - that was in the 1980s.
14. With over 1500 matches in the bag, can you remember a lot of them? E.g. Which season it was, who scored, etc. (I ask this question because a couple of years ago, Håkan and I met Terry Conroy who I must state was a perfect gentleman, but we were amazed that we knew more about his career than he did himself)
My memory is as good as Terry's!
15. Do you have to study the opposition much before hand (facts and figures)?
Yes the night before...
16. Do you know how many grounds you have worked from?
Almost all!
17. Do you have a favourite away ground?
Any team with Premier League experience.
What is the worst position you have commentated a match from?
On the roof of Colchester
19. Do you get any stick from the away fans? Have there been any ugly moments?
Not that I am aware of but there's plenty from the Stokies!
20. Thanks to Radio Stoke/Internet your name/voice has become well known all over the world, are you aware of this?
No I'm not...!
Vi fortsätter nästa vecka…….
