Radio commentator among inductees to hall of fame

3 hours ago

Ethan Saunders,West Midlandsand

Stuart George,in Stoke

News image — Nigel Johnson with Lord Mayor Joan Bell next to the Sporting Hall of Fame board.

BBC A man with grey hair in a navy blue suit with a white shirt and multicoloured striped tie. He is stood in front of the City of Stoke-on-Trent Sporting Hall of Fame board, with a framed certificate in his right hand. — Nigel Johnson with Lord Mayor Joan Bell next to the Sporting Hall of Fame board.

A former BBC Radio Stoke commentator has become the first non-athlete to be inducted into a city's Sporting Hall of Fame.

Nigel Johnson has now joined the likes of darts player Phil 'The Power' Taylor, footballers Sir Stanley Matthews CBE and Gordon Banks OBE and strongman Eddie Hall - all sporting luminaries of Stoke-on-Trent.

"When I look at all those wonderful people, I think to myself you're a lucky man to have joined that," Johnson said.

He was among several people inducted into the Hall of Fame with other inductees including Ju Jitsu world champion Tara Bundred, grassroots football volunteer Clive Dean and Garry Hall MBE, a former British Taekwondo champion and performance director.

World duathlon champion David Juggins, England disability cricketer Kieron McKinney and Neil McPherson, a PE teacher from Longton who has been recognised for outstanding contribution and service to sport, were the other inductees.

Lord Mayor Joan Bell said the inductees have given their talent and commitment to sport both locally and on the international stage.

"We are proud to honour them all with a place in this esteemed list of sporting stars."

Stoke-on-Trent City Council A group of people gathered round the sporting hall of fame boards in the Stoke-on-Trent City council building — A group of seven in total were all inducted into the hall of fame on Friday

Johnson began his broadcasting career in 1969, a year after BBC Radio Stoke was founded, by submitting reports on local league cricket. He was still working as a teacher.

He began covering football in 1970 and went on to commentate on more than 2,500 matches, earning the nickname "The Voice of Stoke City".

Speaking with BBC Radio Stoke's Stuart George just before the ceremony he described himself as "a bit of an infiltrator" to the sporting list after not playing a sport professionally.

"I've just sat there with a microphone and talked about it, perhaps the easier of the two options."

In his speech after receiving the award Johnson explained "I wasn't the professional playing the game, but I hope I was the professional describing the game."

Johnson worked at Radio Stoke for 54 years.

"Everyone in the Potteries and Press Boxes up and down the country knows and values Nige's contributions," BBC Radio Stoke Sports Editor Matt Sandoz said.

"His gift for describing the action will forever be a benchmark for those venturing into a career at BBC Radio Stoke Sport".

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