SkyDaz Gets in the Zone for Joys and Sorrows!

November 19, 2009 by KevB8ll · 1 Comment
Filed under: Blues News, SkyDaz

SkyDaz, the Birmingham City representative on Sky Sports – has kindly given us a typical day as a Fanzone representative. This was from our recent game against Manchester City.

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Sunday November 1st and the nouveau riche are on their way to the real second city. The Manchester United wannabes from the blue side of the city have spent large but the vast budget available has proved that it does actually take more than cash to assemble a team capable of winning the Premier League.

In any normal season a team containing so many expensive internationals coming to St Andrews would bring impending doom for a weekend ruined but just lately the Birmingham Blues have been looking good and the Manchester Blues have been mediocre and vulnerable.

Fortunately (or unfortunately!) whichever way you want to look at it, I had received the call from Sky Sports to provide the Fanzone commentary. I have been very honoured to commentate on the majority of Blues matches on Sky. In a way I feel like I have something to prove to the nation that Brummies are not stupid or dumb despite the national phobia of our beloved accent. Mind you I could be reinforcing the preconception.

Skysports Studios

For a four o’clock kick off the commentators have to arrive at site for around 1pm. There is a misconception that the fun and frolics takes place at the ground but in actual fact it is a two and a half hour drive to the Sky studios in Isleworth, by Heathrow airport that precedes the game. It always seems strange to drive so far in the wrong direction for a match taking place a few miles up the road.

At around 1pm I start to see the jets flying impossibly close to the road. So low it looks like their wheels are going to leave tracks on the top of my car. I never cease to be amazed that something so heavy full of so many people and so much luggage can glide so effortlessly through the air. In the distance in the direction of the capital there are blinking lights stacked up in the sky waiting their opportunity to deposit their load on the tarmac like pigeons in Trafalgar Square.

The car gets parked in the Soccer AM outside area but the carpets are rolled up and the backdrops are all that remain.

Up in the office there are desks littered with computer terminals and every wall has television screens showing the latest sporting action. Predominantly male orientated, the guys shout across the office and type spasmodically. They all have their area of expertise although everyone has an opinion and is never slow to share it.

Soccer AM Backdrop

Dave Stubbs (Stubbsie), my opponent for the day, arrives shortly and we wander off to the canteen for lunch. Stubbsie has ‘enjoyed’ dinner on the plane from Manchester so eats little. I’m hungry so have the full Sunday dinner, a pudding, some chocolate, a sandwich, a muffin and take a few soft drinks for refreshment during the game.

We both sign contracts giving up our rights not only in this life but the next and not only on Earth but throughout the Universe. Perhaps one day there will be a copyright battle between earth and aliens over one of my commentaries!

At five minutes to kick off we share a handshake and a quick chat with the Sky Bet folk who inform us about most likely to score, number of goals, etc. We have a microphone check and then it’s on with the headphones and we are ready to rumble.

The screen shows the pitch and the teams and us in action is now shown top right on the viewer’s screen. The producer counts us in and then it’s push the red button and we are live to the nation. It is tradition that the home fan introduces the first half and the away fan gets the honour for the second.

Without further ado the match is underway and we spend the next forty five minutes deriding, abusing, bullying and generally picking on each other like two overgrown schoolchildren. Hopefully it comes across as good natured banter as there is a line of abuse we don’t cross and there is always respect for your opponent, whatever he says about your team or your accent!

So far so good. The Blues have played well, created some chances and with the game goalless we still fancy our chances of getting at least a point.

SkyDaz and Stubbsie

The second half follows the same format but then the golden chance arrives. The referee awards us a penalty for a blatant handball although Stubbsie is adamant it’s the worst decision he has ever seen. Ngog is a thing of the future!

I get ready to celebrate but only tentatively as Shay Given has performed heroics. My doubts were to be proved correct as Given throws himself to his right and saves McFadden’s penalty. Stubbsie jumps up and down like they have scored and the match ends up without a goal. Normally this is the worst case scenario as the viewer has not had chance to see one of us go crazy but the general feedback is that it was well received and we’d managed to remain entertaining throughout the game.

Stubbsie and I shake hands, the duel is over and neither of us feels particularly elated or depressed. I think we missed a great opportunity to pick up three points but admit that pre-match a draw would have been a decent result. Stubbsie thought they would take home an easy win but looking back realises that with the penalty and Blues domination he too is satisfied with a point.

Stubbsie is ushered into his waiting taxi and I shuffle through the lonely dark car park and set off for home. Above me the twinkling lights continue to flood into West London like organised aliens flying in from outer space for an official visit to the capital. Sorry but I signed a contract. Talk to my agent.

SkyDaz