logo
'Eakin's voice is what Coventry fans will remember'

'Eakin's voice is what Coventry fans will remember'

BBC News10-06-2025
Tributes have been paid to Coventry City commentator Clive Eakin who has laid down the microphone after 24 years of covering the club for BBC CWR.A special hour-long live show was held at HMV Empire in Coventry for fans and colleagues to reflect on Eakin's career as the voice of a Sky Blues generation."I have been overblown by the reaction after the news was announced," said Eakin, who started working for the BBC in 1988 and began his role covering Coventry in 2001."It's been very touching."Eakin worked across more than 1,200 games and with 14 different permanent managers, watching Coventry go from the Championship down to League Two and back again.He saw the Sky Blues win the League Two play-offs in 2017-18, the League One title in 2019-20 and suffered the FA Cup semi-final heartbreak against Manchester United in April 2024, as well as this year's Championship play-off agony."The biggest thing I can say is you've been through the biggest lows of Coventry City and the highs," said ex-Coventry player Michael Doyle."I think the one constant at the club through all that time has been yourself. I think for a lot of people in Coventry, it will be your voice that they remember."Fellow commentator Clive Tyldesley said: "Football is about memories. To be somebody who becomes part of people's memories of those matches is what makes our job really special and you've done that."You've connected with millions of people that you'll never meet and they think they know you. They trust you because of your knowledge and because of your warmth and your commitment."Listen to In Conversation with Clive Eakin on BBC Sounds.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

The midfield dilemma
The midfield dilemma

BBC News

time10 minutes ago

  • BBC News

The midfield dilemma

Kaiser Chiefs bassist Simon Rix spoke to the Don't Go To Bed Just Yet podcast about Leeds' midfield: "If we play 4-3-3, it will be interesting to see who will play in that midfield. Ampadu looked good [against Villarreal] and usually plays every minute and I think Farke will want that back six to become quite fixed."Those other two places [are up for grabs] - Longstaff wants to play, have Stach and Tanaka got to play? Gruev has played loads this pre-season and it's looking like he is not getting sold. It will be really interesting to see who starts against Everton."I think something like Longstaff, Stach and Ampadu will play in the difficult games, and something like Ampadu, Stach and Tanaka or maybe even Aaaronson will play in the games that we think we might win."What do you think the midfield will look like? Tell usListen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Ward steps down from Solihull Moors role
Ward steps down from Solihull Moors role

BBC News

time10 minutes ago

  • BBC News

Ward steps down from Solihull Moors role

Former Wolves defender Stephen Ward has left his position as director of football at Solihull 39-year-old took the job two years ago and is planning to spend more time with his Republic of Ireland international said, external: "After spending 20 years in professional football, I feel now is the right time for me to step away and spend more time with my young family and explore new opportunities with them."The most important thing for me was to remain at the club until the start of the season to ensure everything was in place for the team to be ready for the challenges that lie ahead this season."I will be watching on with keen interest and hope that they can achieve what the fans deserve: a successful Solihull team playing in the EFL."Moors, managed by former Premier League midfielder Matt Taylor, begin their National League campaign at home to Forest Green on Saturday.

Mohamed Salah scores as Liverpool unleash £270m new signings against Athletic
Mohamed Salah scores as Liverpool unleash £270m new signings against Athletic

BreakingNews.ie

time10 minutes ago

  • BreakingNews.ie

Mohamed Salah scores as Liverpool unleash £270m new signings against Athletic

Liverpool showcased £270 million-worth of new signings in the 3-2 friendly victory over Athletic Bilbao but the goals still went to established Premier League winners Mohamed Salah – who also missed a late penalty – and Cody Gakpo. Florian Wirtz's first look at Anfield gave fans a glimpse of why the club made him their – and with add-ons potentially a British – record signing with some clever touches and interplay and almost the opening goal. Advertisement Head coach Arne Slot believes the Germany international will replace the creativity they lost from the departure of Trent Alexander-Arnold to Real Madrid. 'I think there is always room for improvement in every department and we have added a few, in my opinion, extra weapons,' said the Dutchman. Hugo Ekitike relished his first experience of Anfield and cannot wait for much more after becoming a Red 👇 — Liverpool FC (@LFC) August 4, 2025 'Florian has a lot of creativity in the final third and we have lost with Trent a lot of creativity from the back. 'Trent's crosses and picking out runners was so special – Flo has this quality in a totally different position. He brings that creativity.' Advertisement Wirtz's fellow new signings also showed they were settling in well as Jeremie Frimpong linked up well with Salah, fellow full-back Milos Kerkez was solid and Hugo Ekitike showed flexibility across the forward line. Wirtz headed onto the crossbar before Ekitike crossed for Salah to fire home and Gakpo scored twice after the break after Oihan Sancet had levelled. Liverpool went into the double-header with just one recognised centre-back with Virgil van Dijk ill and Joe Gomez injured and looked vulnerable at set-pieces, with Maroan Sannadi heading an equaliser from a corner. 'The other games pre-season we have conceded a few too many chances but today we hardly conceded anything at all and that pleased me as well,' added Slot. Advertisement First appearances as Reds at Anfield for our summer arrivals ✊🔴 — Liverpool FC (@LFC) August 4, 2025 'So to concede two set-piece goals in the second game is not what you want, especially if you play Crystal Palace next week who are a team who are very strong on set-pieces. That's another thing to work on.' In both matches Diogo Jota, who died in a car crash last month, was remembered with fans standing and clapping and singing the forward's song. When the clock showed 20, action on the pitch also halted as players and officials joined in the applause. Liverpool's second string won 4-1 earlier, after an erroneous fire alarm had evacuated the Main Stand before kick-off, with 16-year-old Rio Ngumoha continuing his impressive pre-season form with a goal after just 87 seconds. Ben Doak, three years his senior, also scored while there were goals for Darwin Nunez and Harvey Elliott, two players whose futures appear to be away from Anfield. Advertisement Nunez, who has been linked with Al Hilal for a while with AC Milan also opening talks over the Uruguay international, thumped the badge on his shirt in front of the Kop while Elliott was the last to leave the pitch having blown kisses to all four sides of the ground.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store