IFollow this season….

[Freez]

The club have instigated some changes this season, Beyond Radio have offered to take the IFollow feed and also paid for the rights to broadcast commentary on Beyond for all EFL, Carabao and Papa John games.
As you probably aware, that means comms will be available on FM in the LA postcode area alongside the IFollow online.
So it’s a step forward for both parties and we wish them well.
Obviously, after ten seasons in the chair we are proud of what we have provided and have hopefully informed and entertained along the way. It was a privilege to provide commentary for the Shrimps alongside my friends and colleagues and to all the people who have chipped in over the years, you know who you are, thank you for all your input.
To the fans, thanks for all the kind words, texts and comments every game keeping us grounded and making us laugh.
Last season was tough on all fans but being allowed in and describing the action made us appreciative of our position even more and the fact that so many people were involved and felt part of it on match days gave us all a buzz.
It’s the right time for a change as we approach League 1, so getting to Stamford Bridge, and then Wembley, then winning promotion is a fitting end to our tenure.
Look out as we will be back on the terraces, home and away.
Glen, Downsy, Swids and myself.

[RapidShrimp]

Disappointed is the word!
I’ve loved the commentary over these years, especially last season’s with the empty stadiums. As you say, you’ve ended on a big high-point and that does seem fitting - iFollow commentary will never be the same!

Hope the Beyond commentators will provide something interesting to listen to!

Edit: This is the club’s announcement, sounds like it’s well thought through and will be interesting to see how it goes! https://www.morecambefc.com/news/2021/august/morecambe-football-club-and-beyond-radio--team-up-for-shrimps-live/

[Bristol Shrimp]

Noooooooo!!!

[Dave Salmon]

Hi everyone!

Firstly, I just wanted to place on record – and I’m sure I speak for every single Morecambe fan over the last 10, 12 years or more - about how grateful we all are for the guy’s enormous contribution to the club, and to the iFollow commentary service over the years. Absolute legends of the club and the very best people you could wish to meet. Not many people realise the personal sacrifices that sometimes have to be made to simply supply the service, all of which they did without taking a penny from the club. Truly incredible.

We’re going to try our absolute best to bring you the best possible content we can, starting tomorrow at Ipswich. Will it sound different? Of course it will, but I hope that as the weeks go by we can enjoy what will hopefully be a great season together.

We want to try and make the games as interactive as possible, and I’m always happy to answer any messages too. Any questions, criticisms, mentions, anything at all – let me know!

You can do so by:
Using the hashtag #ShrimpsLive on Twitter or search for me – I’ll be posting plenty of behind the scenes content too
Text: 07399 08 55 08
Email: football@beyondradio.co.uk, where you can also leave a voice note if you’d like to be part of our post-match podcast which we’ll be producing every weekend. Get in touch, we’d love to hear from you as the season unfolds.

Safe trip if you’re heading down to Portman Road tomorrow. If not, hopefully I’ll speak to you at 2:45pm! Matt Smith from the club’s media team is my guest summariser. We’d love your ears!

The act I have to follow is not lost on me.

#UTS #BNBT #ShrimpsLive

[marky No.1]

Thanks guys for bringing us through, particularly for us this season, another adventure begins

[Keith]

Text: 07399 08 55 08

You may want to ask people to 'sign off' their text messages when they send them in, or you'll have no idea who is saying what!

Welcome along (or welcome back?!?) It is obviously going to be different and a challenging act to follow. As my wife said when I told her, "that's a shame, Freez's commentary is more like chatting to the person stood next to you at the game than listening to a match commentary." It will definitely have to change from that, Beyond Radio would have Ofcom investigating if they used some of the comments from Freez over the years... shouting... ..."referee, you utter *****" after one particularly contentious decision springs to mind! He quickly apologised, saying "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that. But he is". Which is why Elaine was correct, it was like being at the game rather than listening to the game. No doubt some will prefer a more polished, professional commentary, but those of us who have been listening for a long time now will miss it.

The other thing that we'll miss is Freez's ability to remember details & players from decades ago, off the top of his head. If on Master Mind , his specialist subject could be 'Morecambe Football Club, 1972 to 1989'. While I struggle to remember what I had for tea last night, Freez will regale us with stories of meeting some bloke in a pub who played three times for the reserves in 1981 before being sold to Withenshaw Working Men's Club for a packet of wine-gums ("a record transfer fee that season").

Thanks Freez & co. Enjoy being back on the stands. There are some superb season ticket deals this season!

And Mr Salmon, on your drive down to Ipswich, take a note of the road-kill... there will be a test!

[Andy D]

Thanks for your work and humour over the years Lads!!

[Born again Bill]

Thanks for your work and humour over the years Lads!!

Second that , was always a fan of the “ 2 supporters in the pub” style commentary .

Big boots to fill Mr Salmon !!!

[Ego Tripping]

Also want to add my thanks for providing some excellent bias over the years. Reminded me a bit of TMS in the old days. Some of the random chat about biscuits and roadkill meant we had no clue what was happening in the match, but it was fun all the same. Although saying that, there was no doubt when we scored! Not sure I agree with Keith though. Some of the people I sit near don’t have a clue so I can’t say it was like chatting to the person next to you at the match. Thanks again lads

[Morecambe Jack]

Thank you Freez and Co for everything you have done over the last 12 years - unique, alternative but incredibly entertaining commentary that will be missed. We all know football at our level is not thrilling stuff for 90 minutes, but your wit and humour filled those gaps, as well as the vast knowledge that Keith has explained.

Enjoy watching the games without the pressure of commentary and look forward to hearing your thoughts in other formats!

[Keith]

Some of the people I sit near don’t have a clue so...

...so it is exactly like Freez then?

[Castaway]

Thanks Freez, Coops & Gang.
You've done an incredible job and i'm gutted you're not going to be there.

You've made the games as an exile massively enjoyable and engaging. I really appreciate the hard work, passion and miles you've put into this. Thank you.

Tom Collins

[redrobo]

Thanks for everything fellas.

Although not appreciated by a nunber of the opposition for us it was brilliant and you guys will be missed.

A hard act to follow but a change is as good as a rest....so they say...

[Andy D]

be interesting to see where guys watch the games from now after sitting down being in the main stands near the halfway line for so long .?

[Freez]

Back to season ticket behind the goal for 3 of us, Swids is still match day announcer!

[Phoenix Shrimp 2017]

Back to season ticket behind the goal for 3 of us, Swids is still match day announcer!

Bit more noise from behind the goals then LOL. Back to the old days stood on the wall at the Christie Avenue end

[Bare bum]

Also want to express my appreciation, particularly over the last year, when I've heard lots of you. You did so much to keep people smiling and feeling part of the football club during a difficult period. Your reactions after those 2 late, late goals against Salford were hilarious and a perfect illustration of what it means to be passionate about a footy club. My memories of this promotion winning season will always be littered with your daft nonsense.

[Lurchy]

Thanks Freez and co, have loved your commentary down the years. Prefer you guys to Guy Mowbray and Martin Keown any day! Will miss your humour and conversafional style. See you on the terraces

[Joel Ninety]

Just want to echo Keith and Tom's posts there. Being out of the country for the last couple of years, and locked inside for most of that time, it's been great to hear local voices and experience the enthusiasm and historical knowledge a dedicated fan can bring to the commentary.

I owe you all a few packs of Wagon Wheels/Kit Kats when I'm back in town. Cheers!

New lads did a good job on the mic yesterday too, so looking forward to streaming more of our travails this season.

[Crazeenick]

Yes - thanks very much guys for all your efforts - much appreciated, especially during this recent Covid period. You have provided excellent commentary with a good dose of humour and fun!

COYS