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Supporters Club Calls on BBC Suffolk to Bring Back Life's a Pitch
Monday, 2nd Aug 2021 17:25

The Ipswich Town Supporters Club has called on BBC Radio Suffolk to return Life’s a Pitch to its pre-match Saturday schedules.

Life’s a Pitch had been on the air every Saturday during the season between noon and 2pm since 2011 featuring Mark Murphy, TWTD’s Phil Ham, Tractor Boy and for the last couple of years Terry Butcher, who took over as the show’s legend-in-residence from Kevin Beattie.

The show, which on home matchdays came live from first the Far Post Bar and more recently from the FanZone, featured current and ex-players, club staff past and present and fans from around the county and the globe.

The BBC’s Covid rules prevented the show from taking place last season but it is not returning for the campaign ahead.

The Supporters Club’s statement reads: “For 10 years, BBC Radio Suffolk has provided many supporters with pre-match entertainment from 12-2pm with their show Life’s A Pitch”. This ended last season due to the pandemic.

“The show has always been well received and is considered by many supporters as a wonderful pre-match warm-up while they travel to the ground.

“It also provides those unable to attend with a greater insight into the forthcoming game with news from the previous week and the chance to listen to a diverse list of guests, from ex-players, current players, management and many more, with a mix of music and fun also thrown in.

“The show has become an institution and tradition to many and sets the scene at the ground for the upcoming game, whilst providing great entertainment to all.

“On behalf of the supporters of Ipswich Town, we respectfully request that BBC Radio Suffolk reintroduce this service to coincide with the return of the supporters, you will have many, many grateful listeners.”


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Scuzzer added 18:06 - Aug 2
It's all about the money.
0

Scuzzer added 18:07 - Aug 2
BBC = skinflints.
2

trncbluearmy added 18:10 - Aug 2
BBC hate anything mainstream and popular
4

itsonlyme added 18:24 - Aug 2
I listen to this on my way to PR in the car from Bury. Will miss it. Bring it back BBC you skinflints.
3

Chocorange added 18:35 - Aug 2
Sad sad news , this show has been an institution for the kids and I on our travels to the match every week
Whoever is in charge of budgeting and who has made this decision needs to step forward and give the reasons why… else reconsider.

There is little enough sport on bbc radio now , what's it going to be replaced with …yet another middle of the road show… like we don't have enough of those already.
5

Tufty added 18:35 - Aug 2
I liked to listen to life's a pitch for the last part of the journey to the game from Derbyshire.
Come on Phil get a petition going
3

Michael101 added 18:54 - Aug 2
Not enough box tickers for the BBC . They should be renamed the woke broadcasting corporation.
2

tearsofthetown added 20:20 - Aug 2
There will be an alternative to Lifes A Pitch online. This is the way the world is going. And it won`t be free either! Eh Phil Ham, what do you and others now about this? Crap radio station anyway. The only decent thing worthwhile listening to was Life`s A Pitch and the home match commentary. It`ll be replaced by a LGBTQI arts programme live from the gender neutral allotment, sponsored by Bill Gates. Watch me get booted off this site!
10

PortmanTerrorist added 20:50 - Aug 2
If the BBC cannot grasp what is happening at the Club from Ed Sheeran sponsorship, new owners, new players, improving FPR, and fans back in numbers with new hope then they have completely lost touch with the community. Disgraceful
11

IpswichT62OldBoy added 21:10 - Aug 2
I would love Life Is A Pitch to return, a great programme meeting a real need in the perfect time slot.
People seem a bit vitriolic towards BBC Radio Suffolk, to me that seems harsh.
They provide free live match day commentary on every Town game and more broadly I love the local feel of it, I enjoy a go at Daphnes' Dart as much as the next man.
For the past 34 years I have lived in Cambridge but Radio Suffolk is blasted out of Newmarket on 104.6fm via a mega transmitter so I get to feel I am still home in Suffolk and every Saturday is brought alive for me by the magic of Radio and the TWTD chatroom.
I do go to games but radio is brilliant.
BBC skinflints? Its license payers money, I am happy with the cost, many aren't though seem happy to pay Mr Murdoch etc.

General comment, you can't get too much of Phil Ham
6

DaGremloid added 22:10 - Aug 2
Yet another reason not to pay the license fee.
1

ronnyd added 22:33 - Aug 2
The BBC were on the point of closing the teletext service until covid arrived. Doubt it will be long before they call it a day. Also, don't get me started on BBC3.
1

Oldozblue added 02:17 - Aug 3
Good idea - I like Graham Mack and Brenner but get a bit sick of host Mark Murphy who has enough (too much) air time already on the Channel. How about BBC Radio Suffolk trying someone new?
-6

Michael101 added 08:31 - Aug 3
But the BBC have to cut costs to pay there new woman her £267 ,000 for a 3day week.
2

ChrisFelix added 09:04 - Aug 3
The local BBC radio station is very supportive of our club. Especially Mark Murphy who is a truer blue than anyone
Not so with BBC Look East. More appropriate should be called Look Norfolk & their 'love in' with the Budgies
3

senduntd added 09:04 - Aug 3
Good idea get Foz to run it.
0

bluediver added 09:49 - Aug 3
It's great that the Supporters Club have taken this on. Add to the pressure by emailing Radio Suffolk yourself too....
2

Bert added 10:22 - Aug 3
A great institution but remember that this Government wants to squeeze the BBCdry. Local BBC radio provides a wonderful service but has to take its share of the salami sliced cuts. Complain to your MP.
-2

Marcus added 14:46 - Aug 3
If Radio Suffolk can't budget it then maybe ICR can come up with an alternative?
0

istanblue added 20:18 - Aug 3
#DefundTheBBC
1

uefa1981 added 09:28 - Aug 4
Yep although mostly on the train from Ely, if we did drive then Life's a Pitch was a must as the start to our football day. Then seeing them in and around the club was great too. I would be happy to see it comeback. But to have a go at Mark M, or any individual who clearly loves the team and has done for many years, often working many extra hours to get shows right is quite simply not on. It's pre-season, let's all jump in the same boat and row together and see how far we get. COYB!
0


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