BBC Sports Report: A Celebration of the World's Longest-Running Sports Radio Programme: Shortlisted for the Sunday Times Sports Book Awards 2023

by Pat Murphy

SHORTLISTED FOR THE SUNDAY TIMES SPORTS BOOK AWARDS 2023 - SPORTS ENTERTAINMENT BOOK OF THE YEAR

Sports Report is as much a 75-year history of sport as a BBC radio institution and Pat Murphy pays handsome tribute to a programme that is still followed affectionately by millions.

For nearly 75 years, one BBC programme has been a constant factor in chronicling the way sport is covered, in all its many facets. It has been a window on the sporting world all over the globe – packed tightly into every Saturday evening for the bulk of the year.

First broadcast in 1948, Sports Report is the longest-running radio sporting programme in the world and one of the BBC's hardy perennials. Pat Murphy has been a reporter on the programme since 1981 and here he sifts comprehensively through the experiences of his contemporaries and those who made their mark on Sports Report in earlier decades.

He hears from commentators, reporters, producers, presenters and the production teams who regularly achieved the broadcasting miracle of getting a live programme on air, without a script, adapting as the hour of news, reaction and comment unfolded.

Drawing on unique access from the BBC Archives Unit, he highlights memorable moments from Sports Report, details the challenges faced in getting live interviews on air from draughty, noisy dressing-room areas and celebrates the feat of just a small production team in the studio who, somehow, get the show up and running every Saturday, with the clock ticking implacably on.

Genres: Sports, History

313 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 29, 2022

Reviews

[Jamie Bowen · Rating 5 out of 5]

BBC Sports Report is a radio mainstay like Desert Island Discs, the Today programme and the Archers. As soon as the them tune comes on, you can feel the tension and excitement rise, as you await to hear what’s happened in the world of sport on a Saturday. Pat Murphy, a reporter on the programme, looks back at 75 years of the show and it’s a wonderful collection of stories and memories, the highs and the lows. Reading the history, you realise how big an impact the programme has had on so many careers. Absolutely loved reading this book.

[Nigel Baylem · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this. This programme has meant a great deal to me throughout my life, so to read all the inside stories of producing it every week has been intriguing.

Author Pat MURPHY’s respect and affection shine through in every chapter, confirming that he is the perfect person to have written it’s history.

It really shouldn’t have taken me so long to read it!

[Malcolm · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sports Report has been the BBC’s flagship weekend radio sports programme for over 70 years; Pat Murphy has been a show staffer for over half that time, so well placed to write an insider’s story of the show. That’s exactly what this is – a tinged with nostalgia, loving evocation of a frenetic broadcast studio weaving together links and short reports from across the country, and times the world, blending live and pre-recorded segments, edited tightly to the minute, squeezing a huge amount into its hour long slot (originally ½ an hour).

When we consider that most of this happened in the analogue era, with staffers splicing edited tape into the show in the minutes before it went to air, it’s a telling impressive operation. When we add in that a 5pm live sports show still possibly doesn’t know its key items of moments an hour before going to air it’s even more impressive. The nostalgic tone is built on a focus on key figures – often presenters and reporters along with memorable shows across the years; this is likely to appeal to those who know and have grown up with the show. For me, his insights to the behind the scenes production, the wrangling over air time, the struggles with other broadcasters and media outlets for time and access is much more interesting.

Murphy uses his insider knowledge and links extremely well, to build a broad and impressive set of interviewees – show staff, other media people, family members, sports people including players, club and league official and more – to build a sense of highly popular, loved show with a loyal network of supporters, well respected across the broadcast and print media world. It probably resonates best with those already invested in the show.

[Spencer Feeney · Rating 3 out of 5]

The sub-title indicates the tone. At times it veers too close to self-congratulatory. The least interesting chapters are the ones that name check reporters, presenters, producers and editors; surely they couldn't ALL have been titans of broadcasting? Better are the sections covering the political infighting at the BBC over the launch and survival of the programme in the face of internal opposition from people who still don't get how important sports are for many people. Best of all are the chapters recalling the most memorable programmes - not all of them recorded moments of sporting achievement and glory; here is Peter Jones (regarded by all the book's contributors as the programme's greatest commentator) reporting live at the Hillsborough disaster: "the gymnasium here at Hillsborough is being used as a mortuary for the dead ...and at this moment stewards ...have got cartons and little paper bags, and they're gathering up the personal belongings of the spectators, some of whom died, some of whom are now seriously injured in nearby hospitals. And there are red and white scarves of Liverpool, and red and white bobble hats of Liverpool, and red and white rosettes of Liverpool, and nothing else out there on the enclosure where all the deaths occurred. And the sun shines now." Moving and masterful.

[Brian Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another affectionate and nostalgic look at another national institution . This book, well written by Pat Murphy brings back many happy memories of getting back to the car after matches to hear the familiar and much loved theme tune , followed by the scores and then the match reports . Much of this has been lost to the TV demands on the premier League . PM takes us effortlessly through the history of the programme , some of the great sporting events covered , a number of the brilliant presenters and much of the politics that never diminished the quality and output of the programme. A homage to Angus Mackay , who had the foresight and tenacity to produce and develop the programme despite the various challenges put in his way by the BBC establishment .

[Kevin Coaker · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a devoted listener to Sports Report, I approached this with enthusiasm—but perhaps the author's own affection occasionally blunts the critical edge.

The early chapters, charting the show's origins and rise through the 1950s and '60s, are compelling. You can almost see the cigarette haze and hear the clipped tones of the post-war BBC.

But the narrative begins to meander, drifting into rambling anecdotes from presenters and contributors. One entire chapter is essentially a medley of celebrities recalling how they heard the theme tune in their parents' car.

Thankfully, the book regains its footing in the final section, with a thoughtful look at the show's uncertain future in a changing media landscape. As a fan, I enjoyed it—but newcomers may find themselves tuning out.

[Craig Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fabulous account of this brilliant show. I've always enjoyed Sports Report, which began as a child in New Zealand listening to the classified results from James Alexander Gordon, sitting alongside my Dad in the car before my swimming lessons. Pat Murphy's book evokes some wonderful memories and highlights just how brilliant the people are behind this show. My listening experience will move from pure enjoyment (subject to the results, naturally) to one of awe. This should be essential reading for anyone that love Sports Report.

[Malcolm Davis · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book.will probably appeal to those of us over 50 who would time in at 5pm to hear the results and the match reports on the way back home from a match.Interesting rather than riveting.

[Andrew Hinton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting anecdotes, but not an easy read

[Stephen Donovan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mini-review to come.

[Steve Chilton · Rating 3 out of 5]

A gentle ramble through the history of Sports Report, the longest-running radio sporting programme in the world. Murphy shared some cracking anecdotes as he details how the programme has had to change to keep in touch with its audience in an ever-changing media world. Fascinating accounts of how a radio programme dealt with the triumphs (and tragedies) of sport over the years.

[Steven Dyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved reading this book, brought back so many memories and even reduced me to tears on more than one occasion! The book looks back on Sports Reports 75 years and also plots its future in a landscape of changing media habits. Well written and a must for all sports fans.

[Graeme Whitton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this book. I've not always been a regular listener to Sports Report but there have been long periods where it's been an essential part of my life and, I think, many others agree. This is a superb evocation of a wonderful and much cherished institution but doesn't cover up some of the bad happenings. As well as the sports coverage it has something to say about the social history of Britain over the last 75 years.

A great book and well worth your time.