We were to be guests on the BBC Radio Manchester's sports show presented by Ian Cheeseman. Our hour was shared with two basketball fans and two fellas involved in the cycling world. The aim of the hour was to highlight and promote minority sport.
I'd been on the radio once before. I was 14-years-old and it was a pre-recorded interview, but that didn't stop me stuttering and my mind going a complete blank. I was to be a story on the news as I was in the top 28 out of around 30,000 other kids who'd entered a photography competition.
This time however, it was different, as we'd be live on air! Before leaving to go to Media City, I checked the points and stats of where the team currently lay in the league just in case we were asked.
I was really hoping they'd be easy questions and I wouldn't draw a blank...or worse, swear.
When our part of the show started, the presenter went round the desk and got everyone to introduce themselves and talk a little bit about their sport. I instantly thought that Richard and I should swap places, as it was a guarantee that when it got to me, I'd be asked about the
Manchester Storm (the team that came before the Phoenix). Inevitably I was asked when it was my turn but I simply said that he'd have to ask Richard about it as I wasn't around then. By that I meant hadn't even heard of ice hockey, but the presenter took it to mean that I hadn't been born and we had a short conversation that went something like this:
Me: "You'll have to ask Richard Allan about the Storm, as I wasn't around back then."
Presenter: "So how old are you then?"
Me: "You can't ask a lady her age!"
So, Richard talked about the Storm days and the first few years of the Phoenix. I waded in about how I think films like Slap shot and Goon have a lot to answer for, in terms of stereotyping to which the presented replied: "That's a very robust defence of your sport." Well, quiet, yes.
All in all, I didn't cock-up or swear. Richard and I were Team Awesome, we also managed to plug this weekend's clash against MKL and the website address!
After the show, Ian Cheeseman gave us a mini tour of the floor we were on. He took us into the studio used by the BBC Breakfast crew, which is also the same set that is used by North West Tonight. Of course we sat on the sofa and stood in front of the weather map and had pictures taken. Let's face it, who wouldn't?
We saw where 5Live is broadcast from, along with where the BBC Sports news is broadcast. We also saw a few of the news presenters and the lady who presents the weather.
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You were brilliant on air, nobody messes with you!
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