ON THE ROAD WITH RADIO CITY

On The Road With Radio City 

“THE line-up just isn’t good enough,” ex-Red and Radio City match analyst John Aldridge states emphatically.
“Yeah, it was a lot stronger last year,” Radio City commentator Steve Hothersall agrees.
“They haven’t got anyone of the same calibre now,” Hothersall continues as Aldo nods with approval. “Alexandra Burke, she was great, I rated her.”
With the X-Factor competition nearing its climax the duo are putting forward their thoughts on who will win the annual ITV show.
The topic of conversation quickly moves on when Aldo enquires: “do you watch that I’m A Celebrity?”
Hothersall isn’t convinced by the reality contest staged in the outback.
Aldo loves it, especially when people have to put their fears aside to consume a plate of slugs or maggots. Although he does admit a lot of the contestants are too fake.
The conversation is fast-paced and witty, just like their award-winning live coverage of all Liverpool games.
On air or off, the entertainment level is still high as LFC Weekly discovered when we tagged along with them for the Reds recent visit to Ewood Park.

PRE-MATCH
“Aldo is usually late,” Hothersall informed us with a chuckle prior to the day of the game. “I’ll get a text from him saying make the departure time 20 past rather than ten past. He never wants to get to the ground too early.”
The man who scored 63 goals in 104 Liverpool appearances and still enjoys legendary status on the Kop can enjoy that luxury.
For his colleague the day is more demanding. He likes to spend at least two hours in the eye-catching Radio City tower in the heart of Liverpool swotting up for the broadcast ahead.
“It normally turns into a chat about football with my producer Carlos, which I suppose is preparation in a way,” he says.
Today the statistics suggest the game against Sam Allardyce’s men won’t be easy; they’ve only suffered two home defeats in all competitions during his reign.
Rovers have also just eliminated Chelsea from the Carling Cup three days earlier courtesy of a penalty shootout victory.
Research done, sports pages of the newspapers scanned and broadcasting equipment collected, an extra layer of clothing is grabbed. Despite the fact the time is still before midday, it’s already freezing outside and will surely get even colder before the action kicks off at 3pm.
Descending from the top of St. John’s Beacon is an ear-popping experience. The time required for the lift to drop to the bottom is a reminder of how high you have just been. It’s an even longer journey back up when you’ve forgotten the car keys.
The hustle and bustle of pre-Christmas shoppers means we have to patiently exit the multi-storey car park that adjoins St John’s shopping centre before we go on our way to Lancashire via collecting Aldo.
“Me and John are great friends,” Hothersall explains as the Radio City car progresses through the Saturday traffic. “But we do argue like a married couple, you’ll see that today.”
A quick pit-stop at a petrol station acquires a pre-requested bottle of water for Aldo before we reach the former Tranmere manager’s home.
The front door is already open and he briefly appears before shouting something incomprehensible and disappearing again.
 Ten minutes later Aldo walks down the short driveway and jumps into the passenger seat.
“Did you see that Sepp Blatter at the World Cup draw last night?” he immediately enquires. “Taking the Mickey out of the Irish people, that’s what he’s doing.
“Did you see him joking about not handling the ball? He’s a cheat.”
The rant is delivered with the passion the world witnessed when the Republic of Ireland striker had a heated debate with a fourth official at USA ’94.
His radio work is also filled with the same level of excitement and honesty. It’s why supporters love to hear him on air.
Having got that irritation off his chest Aldo quickly scans over the Saturday Football supplement from the Liverpool Echo in which he does a regular column.
His reading is interrupted when Hothersall asks: “have you heard about Reading away in the FA Cup?”
“Awww,” is Aldo’s first response before he continues, “they haven’t have they, have they changed the time?”
“5.15 on the Saturday evening,” comes the confirmation.
“I’m not sure I fancy that, it’s a bit late isn’t it,” Aldo laughs. “I can’t believe they’ve put it on then.”
By now we are progressing along the M65. Aldo reveals he’s lost Sky Sports and Sky Sports News since the digital switchover. “I don’t know why, they’ve just disappeared from the system.”
Then he takes his phone from his pocket and starts laughing before revealing the source of amusement.
On the screen is a picture message of Tiger Woods’ wife striking the golf star with a club.
Aldo is highly amused as the conversation turns to the aforementioned X-Factor and I’m A Celebrity.
It’s unanimously agreed that the standard of Simon Cowell’s music extravaganza doesn’t compare to 2008’s version.

However Aldo has been amused by the “entertaining” Jedward, the Irish twins who were criticised by almost everyone except Louis Walsh before they exited the competition.
After a quick glance at the dashboard clock Aldo states that we will reach the ground far too early.
Steve isn’t so sure. “No, there will be plenty of traffic along the A666,” he replies.
“I’m telling you we’ll be in there by quarter past one,” Aldo counters.
“No, it’ll be at least twenty five past by the time we get from the car to the ground, grab our tickets and then go up to the press room,” Hothersall insists.
Aldo isn’t convinced. He’s shaking his head. “I’ll put £20 on us being in there too early,” he says with an outstretched hand. The wager is politely refused as the pair laugh about it.
“Look at the state of them idiots,” Aldo comments as two Blackburn fans dressed as Big Bird and Elmo from Sesame Street walk along.
“Drive quicker Steve,” he urges as we go past a huge crowd of travelling fans outside one of the local watering holes. Such is the former number eight’s popularity amongst Kopites that if he’s spotted in the car we could be here all day waiting for him to sign autographs.
The Scouser has a pen and paper in his hand himself. He starts to jot down his best Liverpool team from the last decade for an upcoming TV show.
The first thing he’s certain about is the formation.
“I’m going to have a diamond in the middle. Stevie’s at the head of it behind Torres and Fowler.
“Gary Mac and Alonso have to be in there too. Then I’d have either Mascherano or Hamann in front of the defence.”
“You can’t exclude Didi,” Hothersall correctly points out.
“Yeah, you’re right. It’s got to be Pepe in goals and Carra and Sami as centre-backs. I’d put Riise at left-back and then right-back would be either Finnan or Johnson.”
Starting eleven more or less selected those on the bench are next to be chosen.
“There’s no way I can put Michael Owen in there now he’s gone to United. Mascherano, (Markus) Babbel and Agger it is.”
We’ve arrived in Blackburn and park up before making the short walk to the stadium.
“You should put your boots on today John,” a supporter shouts as we stroll along.
Another shakes his hand before a carload of fans gives him a cheer.

AT THE STADIUM
Even the ladies at reception are happy to see him as he greets them with a smile.
Hothersall immediately heads up to the press box to get set up while Aldo goes to the media room. The clock says 1.20pm.
With Hothersall being a vegetarian he’s asked Aldo to check if there is anything on the menu which will take his fancy.
The expected Lancashire hotpot is not available. Instead it’s bangers and mash doused in gravy.
Grub served, Aldo takes a seat and begins to dig in. As he does the sound of loud tapping on a laptop can be heard from the corner. The source of the noise is a bespectacled Stan Collymore.
“You writing your Christmas card list Stan?” Aldo cheekily enquires.
Portsmouth versus Burnley live on the TV is a good way of killing the waiting time until the radio broadcast begins at 2pm.
“It’s the worst part of the day,” he says. “I hate all this hanging around, especially when you have to spend it in the company of some of the journalists in here.
“When I was a player we used to take the Mickey out of each other in the dressing room, or you might have a read of the programme.
“Now I either watch the 12.45 game or do the Daily Express crossword.”
Another method he uses to kill the boredom is a pre-game flutter. “Usually £20 on Stevie to score first or last. I won a few quid on that last season. I don’t think I’ll put anything on today,” he wisely decides.
Aldo is clearly expecting a difficult 90 minutes. Having come up against Allardyce’s Bolton side during his days as Tranmere boss he knows exactly what’s in store.
Winning the two-legged semi-final of the League Cup against Wanderers in 2000 was one of his best results of his reign. “Fantastic,” he recalls, “getting to Wembley was brilliant.
“That, and the 3-0 win over Everton in the FA Cup at Goodison Park were probably the best wins of my time in charge there. We had some great nights out afterwards too.”
With Pompey heading for a vital victory it’s time to go on air or “start talking rubbish for a few hours,” as Aldo puts it before he fastens his coat and makes his way out to the open air of the press box.

Steve Hothersall

THE SHOW STARTS
“Who’s interested in the World Cup?” Hothersall begins the coverage.
He follows it up by revealing that Steven Gerrard scored his first senior goal exactly ten years ago today in a 4-1 win over Sheffield Wednesday. It would be just like the skipper to mark his 500th appearance with another strike. Maybe Aldo is now regretting not having that bet.
On the field a quiet opening twenty minutes is livened up by some typically quick-witted punditry.
“I think he needed another deflection on that shot, just like last week,” Aldo chuckles after Javier Mascherano attempts a similar effort to his opener in the derby but slices wide.
With Rovers sponsored by Crown Paints the name appears at regular intervals on the flashy modern advertising boards at the side of the pitch.
When it pops up again for the umpteenth time Aldo is straight in. “It’s suitable because so far this has been like watching paint dry!”
Halfway through the first period the broadcast unexpectedly ceases. “Gremlins” is the official explanation before normal service quickly returns. It’s later revealed the cause is Aldo’s knee accidentally disconnecting a wire.
The home side seem to be getting plenty of decisions from Martin Atkinson. “I’ve always said this ref wasn’t a Liverpool fan. I think he hates us,” Aldo responds.
A swift Liverpool break comes to a halt after Samba deflects Gerrard’s shot wide. Aldo bangs the table in frustration.
The whistle goes and it’s back downstairs to the warmth of the pressroom for Aldo. Hothersall has to remain on duty.
An orange-coloured soup, described by the woman serving it as “supposed to be vegetable” is available.
In freezing conditions the hacks don’t complain about the choice and slurp it down. Aldo brings some back upstairs to consume during the second half.
A lively start, especially when compared to what has gone before, results in the Reds appealing for a penalty before Franco Di Santo’s hesitancy causes him to squander a great opportunity at the other end.
Typically, the name of former red El Hadji Diouf enters the referee’s notebook. ”What an idiot” Aldo rightly states.

He is now happier because the Reds are pressing and have another shout for a penalty.
Unfortunately his knee again cuts out the broadcast leaving Hothersall frantically pressing buttons in search of a remedy.
Aldo just laughs, although his smile instantly turns to a grimace when Rovers go close to breaking the deadlock.
The game has sprung to life with both sides now creating chances and the commentary team becoming more animated.
“Glen Johnson is the first on to the loose ball and follows it up with a surging run towards the box,” Hothersall says in the 70th minute with his voice tingling in excitement.
”Inside the box, Johnson across goal, it’s off the crossbar by Ngog.”
Aldo releases a roar of anguish that instantly tells listeners the game remains scoreless.
The Frenchman and the Radio City man still have their heads in their hands while the replay on the nearby TV shows a bad bounce has made the opportunity slightly more difficult.
With the teams pushing for what would surely be a late winner Mascherano produces a brilliant tackle.
The man with the whistle doesn’t see it that way and awards a free-kick. “Nooooo,” Aldo disagrees. “That is garbage from the ref.”
Right at the death he is again screaming with fright. A Liverpool corner results in Blackburn counter-attacking and Nikola Kalinic thankfully wasting the chance.
The game concludes, the rain gets heavier and the fans stream out.
Aldo takes off his headphones and goes for a cup of tea and a welcome return to the comfort of the pressroom. Other journalists bash away on their laptops as they bid to file their ‘on the whistle’ reports.

PHONE IN
Following a cuppa Aldo is soon back in his seat and the phone-in begins after the 5pm headlines.
Eager callers make their point while he takes a note of what they’ve said and also doodles.
In the next row of seats Collymore is conducting a phone-in of his own, although his is of a louder and more controversial nature.
While ‘Stan’ shouts about players moving abroad and also seems to be taking credit for Birmingham’s recent switch to a 4-4-2 formation that has brought about better results, Hothersall and Aldo discusses the passion, desire and commitment which Gerrard has just displayed.
A caller by the name of ‘Bob’ makes some valid comments. Aldo rightly suggests he sounds suspiciously like Phil Thompson.
The TVs in the now almost deserted pressbox are screening the day’s late kick-off; Man City against Chelsea.
It’s a bright opening. Aldo is watching with interest while responding to callers’ comments.
Some he agrees with, others not. It’s all done in a knowledgeable and witty way even if the increasing wind strength is making it harder to hear.
Thankfully Collymore is having some microphone problems so he is temporarily silenced.
With the day’s LFC issues wrapped up there is one other subject to address. “Finally John wants to quickly mention Sepp Blatter,” Hothersall announces mischievously.
And Aldo is off again.
“Blatter insulted the Irish people with what he did at the draw last night.
“Now he wants to give us a special merit award. It’s a joke.
“They’re also talking about banning Thierry Henry. I’d agree, but I’d do it for the whole competition.”
With that off his chest (again) all that’s left is for the show to be wrapped up.
“We understand some listeners had problems with background noise here in the stadium,” Hothersall concludes. “I’m sorry, we couldn’t turn that drone off.”

JOURNEY HOME
With the equipment wrapped up and a quick goodbye to the tea-ladies at Ewood the trek back to Merseyside begins.
The Blackburn players are clambering on to the team bus at the main reception area while we exit the ground.
Just like during his playing days Aldo is one step ahead of the nearest man and leads the dash along the deserted streets in a bid to beat the downpour.
Not even a nervous looking police horse cutting across his path stops his charge to the car park where there are two possible ways in.
One option is to take the long way around and enter through the gate, getting even more soaked in the process.
A much quicker route is clambering over a two-foot high muddy embankment. With the rain becoming even heavier Aldo understandably opts for this faster path.
He negotiates the ascent easily. Unfortunately the descent is a different story.
In greasy conditions he slips before temporarily regaining his balance. It looks like he’s going to stay upright but another misplaced foot ensures he goes down into the mud with a yelp.
“I’ve got mud all over me jeans,” he shouts before getting back to his feet in a fit of laughter.
He gets a cloth from the boot to clean his pants and continues laughing.
As we quickly make our way along the motorway back to familiar surroundings the conversation again reverts to the recent France v Ireland controversy.

Aldo rightly points out that an Irish victory would have given everyone in the Emerald Isle a huge lift.
Thoughts also turn to possible January transfer activity at Anfield with the names of Aiden McGeady, Kevin Davies and Ruud Van Nistelrooy all mentioned before the more important subject of dinner comes up.
Aldo fancies a curry, one that’s hot but not too hot. Hothersall is starving as being a vegetarian he didn’t indulge in the Ewood Park bangers and mash for lunch.
“Oh yeah, I forgot to tell you they had veggie sausages in the ground earlier,” Aldo smiles.
His partner in crime shakes his head with disbelief, before laughing too. Then, for the first time in the day, silence pervades.
The Reds might not have taken maximum points. But the scoreline doesn’t matter.
Win, lose or draw; Radio City always produces an entertaining show thanks to a combination that works as well as Shankly and Paisley, Keegan and Toshack or Gerrard and Torres.
ENDS

This article first appeared in LFC Weekly magazine, December 2009.