Leeds United fans were expectantly tuning in to hear the day’s big match preview being broadcast live from Elland Road.
Instead, they were greeted with the discombobulating sounds of various supermarket products on their radios.
“Two pounds of carrots, four cans of baked beans, Fairy Liquid, two packets of Cornflakes…”
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What was meant to be an in-house sound check had been accidentally aired live to the utter bewilderment of football fans and the unapologetic amusement for colleagues of the unfortunate broadcaster back in the studio.
It is one of many light-hearted tales retold in retired sports journalist Dennis Coath’s latest book Rats, Pies and Pigeon Poo.
The former BBC and ITV broadcaster’s memoir combines advice for budding sport reporters, a potted history on a multitude of sports and jocular recollections from his own career.
The result is a highly entertaining and easy-to-read book which combines analysis, humour and opinion on the state of sport and broadcasting today.
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Other tales in the book include a horse sinking its teeth into Dennis’ arm mid-broadcast, downing two vodkas while working at a cricket match to get rid of the taste of mouldy pie, and being pelted with beer cans at a rugby match in France.
Often self-deprecating and unafraid to recount his career horror tales, Dennis also provides insight into what it was like to interview the likes of Muhammad Ali, Peter Shilton, David Attenborough and Ken Dodd.
Careful not to disclose his sources and interviewees – abiding with journalistic morals in the IPSO code – Dennis remembers dealing with characters in unusual and complex circumstances.
This included being the only reporter present as one professional footballer broke the jaw of a teammate in training after swinging a punch during a particularly heated session.
Agreeing not to publish this on the request of the red-faced manager of the team, Dennis was later rewarded with the exclusive tip-off when that same team made a record sale the following week.
This book is an engaging read for not just those within the journalism and sports industries, but also for those wanting to find out more about what it is like to report on the biggest dramas unfolding and for any sports fanatic.
Including superb cartoon illustrations to bring the text to life, Rats, Pies and Pigeon Poos is a treat which revels in taking a non-methodical approach to memoirs.
Many of us have read monotonous autobiographies which exhaustively run through a career from childhood to retirement.
Despite having a career spanning more than four decades, this book does not fall into that trap.
The author’s thematic approach to chapters has resulted in a varied and considered book which I found myself finishing no sooner than it had arrived in the post, such was my eagerness to read on.
Rats, Pies and Pigeon Poo is published by Olympia Publishers and has a cover price of £8.99.
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