Source: Liverpool_Echo
Merseyside football broadcaster Ray Stubbs up for new ESPN challenge
Ray Stubbs 300[LNB]RAY STUBBS has enjoyed a long and exciting broadcasting career - but it wasn't always Premier League prime time glamour.[LNB]The Wallasey-born TV football veteran is set to kick-off the season in a top new job for sports channel ESPN.[LNB]But he remembers the start of his 25-year career like it was yesterday.[LNB]'A playing field in Huyton reporting on a match between Long View Eagles, who went on to become the Eagle, in the FA national Sunday cup,' he says.[LNB]'It was my first report from Radio Merseyside and the start of a career which has taken me to some fantastic places and given me great memories.[LNB]'I also vividly remember being in the tunnel for Radio Merseyside before the final of the 1984 Milk Cup between Everton and Liverpool and then afterwards being amazed at the chants of 'Merseyside' from both sets of supporters.[LNB]'Lots of them had their arms around each other and were having a great day despite an awful game and a 0-0 scoreline.[LNB]'I was lucky enough to go to a good few finals covering both sides and follow them around Europe too.'[LNB]Former Calday Grammar pupil Ray worked for Radio Merseyside after a playing career for his beloved Tranmere Rovers.[LNB]'I was the worst player they've ever had on their books,' he says with tongue in cheek.[LNB]'I was a left back and the manager Johnny King said to me one day 'you might make a decent player one day if it wasn't for the parachute strapped to your ar*e'.'
