Lomond Radio’s sport show has celebrated its first anniversary, with its presenters saying they’ve loved the experience.
Michael McVey and Jordan McKerry took to the community station’s airwaves for the first time 12 months ago, bringing a locally focused sports show back to the area for the first time since the demise of Your Radio back in 2018.
And the show has proved a smash-hit – attracting guests including Dumbarton boss Stevie Farrell, giant killing East Kilbride manager Mick Kennedy, Paralympian Martin Perry, and broadcasting veteran Hugh Keevins.
Michael told the Lennox: “Being able to get people in is brilliant. We knew everything about some of the guest’s careers before they came in, but with others we didn’t know quite as much.
“Hearing their stories about what they do for a living is brilliant. Martin Perry is one. About a year ago I wouldn’t have known who he was. But following his journey to the Paralympics and hearing what he’s had to deal with, with his congenital limb loss is amazing.
“Being able to tell local people about local athletes who maybe they didn’t know about and spread the news of the good work they are doing unnoticed is really enjoyable.”
Jordan continued: “The last year has been fantastic, it’s really grown. But we’ve also got the core following who are messaging in every week, and we can’t thank them enough.
“It’s a cliche, but every guest who we’ve had on has spoken really well. We’ve had some big names and some great people sharing great people.
“If you asked me a year ago if I thought it would’ve gone this well I would’ve probably said no, so it’s been brilliant.
“We’ve had people on who can’t say everything on the mic, but they’ll tell you wee stories off air. Bits and bobs like that are a perk of the job.
“It’s been really enjoyable and hopefully we’ll have another good few big names to keep it going.”
The show proved such a hit that it was extended from an hour to two hours early in the year, with both presenters grateful to volunteer-run Lomond Radio for their support.
Michael continued: “We’re so grateful to Lomond Radio for the opportunity.
“Phil (Briscoe), Alan (Caldwell) and Paul (Lucas) the Lomond Radio directors have all been brilliant with us. As the show has grown bigger they have been so supportive.
“Getting the guests in like Hugh Keevins it gives the station additional publicity as well, which is great for everyone. It’s brilliant.
“It doesn’t seem like that long ago that we were sitting pre-recording the shows.
“Initially we pre-recorded half an hour and then only had to do half an hour live. But we’ve come such a long way to doing it for a full two hours live all the way.
“The two hours go a lot faster, which sounds a bit silly, I know.
“I’ve really enjoyed working with Jordan, we’re good pals away from the radio as well – and I probably see him more than my girlfriend to be honest!
“A few people joke that they don’t know how we can do a two hour talk show, but anyone who knows me and Jordan knows that we can talk for about six hours.”
And Jordan added: “People are starting to come up and talk to us on the street now because they listen to the show, and they tell us wee stories and opinions which is amazing.
“We’re up doing stuff at the tennis club and we’ve got a partnership with the ice hockey club. A year ago I wouldn’t have given ice hockey a second thought, so it’s opened my eyes to sports beyond football and golf.”
And having had icons from the Sons and local sporting world on, both presenters have dream guests in mind.
“Steven Gerrard would be amazing,” says Jordan.
“I’ll need somebody from a Sons perspective. Maybe Dom Thomas, he’d be a good laugh.”
“But from world sport it would have to be someone with good stories. John McGinn I think would be brilliant.”
The Lomond Radio Sports Show is on every Sunday from 4pm and 6pm, and is available on DAB radio or at lomondradio.broadcast.radio.