Life’s a Pitch is live at lunchtime with host Mark Murphy presenting his penultimate show before he leaves the BBC (BBC Radio Suffolk, midday to 2pm).

Murphy, 58, has decided to depart BBC Suffolk after more than three decades, including lengthy spells presenting the breakfast programme, with his final Saturday and Sunday shows next weekend.

“BBC Local Radio is moving in a new direction and so it's time for me to move on and let someone else enjoy what I've enjoyed for the last 33 years,” he said.

“It's been a big decision to walk away from the job I love but I believe the time is right.”

Ipswich-born Murphy, who is married to another former BBC Radio Suffolk broadcaster, Lesley Dolphin, was awarded an MBE in the 2021 New Year's Honours list for services to radio and the community.

Murphy will be joined on today’s show by legend-in-residence Terry Butcher, Tractor Boy and TWTD's Phil Ham.

Also on the show will be Town's head of ticketing Gavin Preston, talking about 2023/24 season tickets and the club's new singing area, and Australia-based Blues fan Austin Trafford Vidal-Cocker, who is is running a 27-mile marathon at Portman Road on Sunday to raise money for club legend Marcus Stewart and the Darby Rimmer MND Foundation.

Following Murphy’s departure, Life’s a Pitch will continue until the end of the season with Connor Bennett presenting before being axed as part of swingeing cuts to BBC local radio.

What do you make to the situation at the top of League One? Can Town win automatic promotion? Send your thoughts on those questions or anything else via Mark’s Twitter or during the show by phone on 0800 141 2121 or text to 81333 starting your message with SFK.

The show can be heard on 95.5FM, 95.9FM, 103.9FM and 104.6FM, and on DAB, or online via a widget on this page by clicking here.

Photo: Action Images

Orraman added 11:34 - Mar 25 Life's a Pitch and its predecessor has always been a great listen on the drive to the match with a great mixture of facts, banter and music with all aspects of Suffolk football covered. My fear now is that Matchday commentary will soon go the same way. I only listen to it for away games as I am no longer able to travel long distances but the thought of commentary by the boring and incompetent commentator on iFollow taking it's place would not entice me to tune in. The BBC, like all companies are no doubt feeling financial constraints, but the demise of certain long term presenters on local radio, national radio and Look East for financial restructuring seems so hypocritical when we read of the alleged salaries of certain individuals on Match of the Day

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itsonlyme added 13:18 - Mar 25 Bloody BBC! Useless corporation!
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d77sgw added 13:22 - Mar 25 You're right to a point Orraman, in that the defunding of local radio is a scandal, and the loss of Life's a Pitch is a real shame. And I agree the iFollow commentary isn't a patch on Radio Suffolk. But I wouldn't target the BBC for this - they're between a rock and a hard place, in that they're constantly targeted by the Government (of whatever colour) which doesn't enjoy being scrutinised, and the private media which would rather not have the competition, and attacking the licence fee is politically popular (everyone likes the idea of paying less tax...just not the cuts that then follow...), and, in this age of streaming paying for access to TV feels anachronistic. Yes 'certain individuals on MOTD' are well paid compared to you or I, but they are damp good at what they do and would earn twice as much doing it for ITV. Ultimately the BBC I just another public service, and right now (well for 15 years) public services have been taking a hammering in funding. And right now, with the macro economic environment so poor, its difficult to see even a change in government suddenly enabling public services to be properly funded. The impact of Covid, Brexit and now Ukraine feeds through to local level funding. Maybe the club could look to funding something similar, running a free pre-match show on iFollow? Would keep supporters engaged, and might encourage a few subscribers to the match commentary?

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rgp1 added 15:51 - Mar 25 Personally I couldn't give hoots whether its Radio Suffolk , uncle Tom cobleys mega mix or Ham fm. Unfortunately local radio has been in decline for years ever the days when saxon and orwell merged. Presumably local radio is not cost effective. Perhaps someone can explain why?
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TractorBeezer added 16:24 - Mar 26 Mark will be missed but has has been most gracious with his comments and positive attitude.
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