Founded1879 talks to Nick Barnes, Broadcast Journalist/Sunderland commentator at BBC Newcastle, to chat about using his voice to turn the dramas unfolding on the pitch into pictures in listeners’ minds, the club’s successful start to the new campaign and expectations for what may lie ahead for the Black Cats this season…
F1879: Can you give us some insight behind the curtain around what a typical match day looks like for you – from some of the practical preparation to post-match interviews?
NB: If it’s a home match I like to get to the Stadium by midday to set up my equipment and on my way up to the Press box I always call in to the Players’ Lounge to say hello to Audrey Hannah and then have a chat with everyone on my way upstairs. It feels like a family on a matchday and it’s nice to have a chat. Once set up I will return to the Press Lounge and get a bite to eat – the club always lay on a good hot meal – have a chat with whoever’s in and then head back up to the Press Box generally about half an hour before we go on air which is usually an hour before kick-off. Team news and we plough into the build up. Following the match it’s straight down to the Press Lounge to interview RLB and a player and I would usually finish around 6 but it can be later depending how long it takes for the player to appear!
F1879: Speaking of match day preparation, we can’t not talk about the detail behind your notebooks which have become legendary! Even GQ Magazine covered them, saying, “what’s inside is some seriously lovely, hand-written notebook porn.” You reportedly spend hours on each page. What prompted this unique and meticulous method of prep and how do you actually approach the specific research of stats etc for upcoming games before match day?
NB: It’s become a labour of love for me and I take a lot of pride in it. It gradually gestated from scraps of paper to a notebook and then to the notebooks I use today (Leuchtturm). I always start with the outline of the pages – and build from there using three primary sources, Flashscore; Soccerbase and Wikipedia though invariably I will cross reference to other sites such as Transfermarkt. I have hand drawn the club crests for some years now but as a short cut I photocopy my previous ones – but on occasion have to start from scratch when a club changes the crest. It’s an archive for me but also a diary and a personal record of my commentary career which is tangible and good to look back upon.
F1879: When you started working for the BBC in 1998(?) you spent the first few years coving Newcastle United. Commenting on football matches be the similar irrespective of the teams involved but are there differences between commentating for these two fierce rivals?
NB: I actually started at the BBC in 1986 at Radio Devon, moving to Radio Cumbria in 1988 where I got Carlisle United commentary off the ground in 1992. As for commentating on Newcastle United and Sunderland, irrespective of the clubs, I have always maintained that to remain credible one has to be objective and report what you see however good or poor the match. Fans are not stupid and your credibility depends on your honesty. I and Benno have been accused of negativity in the past – and even now! – but we genuinely broadcast what we see as honestly and objectively as we can but with a leaning towards Sunderland as at the end of the day when Sunderland are doing well our job is more pleasurable and easier.
F1879: How did you get involved in football commentary initially and have you any advice for aspiring commentators of the future?
NB: I would only say that if it is your dream and ambition you will find a way as there are many avenues and no one set path. Hospital radio, local radio, asking to help out on matchdays are ways to push open the door. Ultimately it comes down to perseverance and commitment as well as of course aptitude. When I was at Radio Cumbria the sports editor left and I was the one person on the station with an interest in sport. We were heavily Rugby League orientated then and the main sport show was on a Sunday. I proposed we cover Carlisle United home and away and with the support of the club allowing me to travel with the team we started a Saturday show with full match commentary and from there covered every match home and away.
F1879: How do you manage to provide insightful commentary for an audience who is unable to see the action while experiencing the emotional highs and lows that come from covering a club like ours?
NB: I try to paint a picture in my mind of someone listening at home and unable to see what is in front of Benno and I. So colour and description is critical – it may seem obvious that Sunderland play in red and white at home but it’s little things like that that paint an image in a listener’s mind. I try and follow the ball religiously so that the listener knows exactly where it is on the pitch and with Benno and I having covered Sunderland for over twenty years we are emotionally invested in the match!
F1879: What are some of the biggest challenges you face as a commentator?
NB: Technology! There is no-one more relieved than me when I plug in my equipment and the red and green lights come on!
F1879: What have been some of your most memorable interactions or moments with Sunderland fans over the years that have perhaps made your role even more special?
NB: Every interaction with Sunderland fans is special. Without them I wouldn’t have a job and so I make a point of stopping and talking to any who stop me on our travels around the country. What I do is a privilege and I never take it for granted. Most Sunderland fans would love to do what I do. Of course the Netflix series expanded my profile and I’ve been stopped in all sorts of places by random people who recognised me from the series even if they are not Sunderland fans! Even players have stopped me and said they recognise me from the documentary!! The fans are the lifeblood and I am in awe of their undying commitment to the club and the lengths and the expense they go to, to watch the Lads.
F1879: What are your thoughts on Sunderland’s performances so far this season, and to what do you attribute their early success?
NB: Well like everyone I’ve spoken to I didn’t see this coming! I think Regis Le Bris has been the key factor and his 100% focus on the team and organisation and clarity has been crucial. Unquestionably he is blessed with having a very talented pool of players to work with and having been together for a few seasons now they are maturing into ‘seasoned’ players which inevitably is a contributory factor. They have ridden their luck at times but their indomitable spirit and unity has been very noticeable. Individually we have commented for a while at how good the players are but Le Bris has now tapped into the talent and unified the team and the club.
F1879: You have been involved in and around Sunderland football club for a long time now, how do you think the current squad compares to previous Sunderland teams you have covered, in terms of talent, resilience, and team spirit?
NB: I think it is very much up there as being one of the best in terms of those three aspects – The Premier League years were different as the teams were constructs of British and European players, a number of them established internationals, and while there were times it all came together e.g under Sam Allardyce and Gus Poyet – one always had a sense it was fragile because of the nature of the Premier League and Sunderland’s struggles to stay up. I think Roy Keane fashioned a team with unity and team spirit and then as now there was a real sense of optimism at the club with a team brimming with characters but also with talent.
F1879: Are there any behind-the-scenes stories from this season that you think fans would be surprised or interested to hear about, that you can tell us?
NB: I don’t think much escapes the fans! It does make me laugh though when I bump into fans and they ask ‘Have you met Regis Le Bris yet ?”!!
F1879: Given the exciting start, but also recognising things can change quickly, what are your expectations and hopes for how the rest of Sunderland’s season might unfold?
NB: I believe we are now about to face the eureka moment – a testing period with Jobe’s suspension and the potential suspensions of Roberts, Hume and Rigg. If Sunderland are still top after they have played Millwall I think it is fair to say they are genuine candidates to be in the promotion race – though January could be testing, especially if the likes of Leeds, Sheffield United and Burnley spend big money. That said Sunderland have a clutch of players still to come into the squad and they will be a real bonus IF they are as good as they promise to be. It’s always said that ten to twelve games is a barometer of the standard of the riders and runners and Sunderland are top of the bunch so one has to regard them as candidates.
Thanks to Nick. Follow him in X.
