BP Vocal and Event Services

31/08/2024

After 16 years, which has seen me cover 359 games, I have decided to leave my position as a volunteer stadium announcer and online radio commentator with Afc Fylde.

It's time for me to pursue new opportunities.

It's been a pleasure and a privilege to be "The Voice" for a lifetime of memories.

359 games.
5 promotions
1 relegation
3 Wembley trips, 2 announcing the team.
TV streaming in covid.
Setting up Coasters Live online radio commentary.
Meeting amazing people within and outside the club.

What an experience.

I leave with my head high and am proud of my achievements.

I wish to thank The Chairman for giving me the opportunity that has given me so many memories and friends.

Thank you also to the managers, players, and backroom staff, who gave me so many great goals to call.

To the operations teams running The Club day to day and the media team I worked with, thank you for the laughs. There were so many.

Finally, thank you to the fans for your constant support. You are the reason for my enthusiasm and success.

I'm leaving The Club in a great position, and I wish everyone continued success.

24/12/2022

A very Happy Christmas to all my amazing clients and to all the brilliant athletes I've had the privilege of meeting over the last 12 months.

May Santa bring you everything you wish for this Christmas and in 2023.

Let's do it all again in 2023, only bigger.

16/08/2022

If you have ever asked yourself whether you could do an open water swim event, the answer is YES.
Fast, slow, freestyle, breast stroke, whatever.
We're not bothered HOW you swim, we just want YOU to love it like we do ❤️

14/08/2022

What a weekend.
Two commentaries and FIVE swims.
Swim highlights were The River North Tyne at Chollerford yesterday and 2.5km in Coniston this afternoon.

14/07/2022

When you get an opportunity to do something you can say for the rest of your life, DO IT.
The Queen's Baton Relay arrived in Durham today, and I got to be the announcer.
300 kids doing Paula Radcliffe's Families on Track

Hundreds of spectators, and an amazing atmosphere.

I met the Baton Bearers including Tom, Shane, Jess and Emma.
For the rest of their lives they can say, "I carried The Queen's Baton".

Priceless.

Well done Events Of The North Events of the North Crew and Yorkshire Sound Service for being awesome.

10/07/2022

An incredible weekend of sporting achievement has been capped off with Ullswater Triathlon today.
18 degrees in the water and scorching for the bike and the run.
Congratulations to all the athletes for being amazing and well done to all the spectators who, after not being able to watch much for 2 years, really got behind every athlete.
Great work by Epic Events as always.

09/07/2022

What an incredible day. Congratulations to every cyclist on a brilliant achievement on C2C in a Day
I had a wonderful time bringing the cyclists home on the microphone 🎤.
The volunteers at the finish were off the scale with their enthusiasm.
The spectators were so generous with your cheering for every cyclist.
Thanks also to the residents around the finish for embracing the event.
Oh, I even celebrated international skinny dip day in The North Sea. I'll spare you the photos🤣

06/07/2022

What a brilliant day at Cartmel Peninsula Games. Amazing young people being amazing athletes. Working with ._.pearson was a joy.
I say "working" but when it's this good it doesn't feel like work.
Lovely swim in Windermere to round off the day.

22/06/2022

Wow. 10 years since I carried The Olympic Torch (23/6/12).
What a time in my life that was. So many people wanted a photo with it, and I was more than happy to oblige.
Everywhere I went for the following month or so took twice as long as we planned.
It truly was a joyous time.

17/06/2022

There is only ONE OPPORTUNITY to do the first of anything in our lives.
Sunday sees the first NORTHUMBRIAN TRIATHLON full and middle distance triathlons.

The athletes taking part will be able to say forever, "I did the first."

Me? I'll be able to say I was the commentator.
I can assure you I have the MUCH easier job on Sunday, even with a call time of 5am til midnight.

05/06/2022

A brilliant day commentating at Aquasphere Epic Swim at Ullswater.
Of course I chose a Patriot dress code.
A couple of skin swims rounded of a great day.
Epic Events Ashman Media Aquasphere UK Mick Hall photos

20/05/2022

Water temperature a wonderful 18 degrees.
Wet suit not needed today.
Beautiful swim.

Check out my swim on Strava.

20/04/2022

There are just 100 places left for EpicMan Windermere Triathlon 2022. Join us for the standard or ‘Half Iron’ distance, based at the incredible YMCA Lakeside campus on the shores of Lake Windermere.
https://epicevents.co.uk/epic-man-windermere/

Aquasphere UK The Endurance Store Event Safety Group B-Spoke Cycles Mick Hall photos Ashman Media BP Vocal and Event Services

18/04/2022

What a beautiful setting for commentating at Epic Events Lakeland Loop Sportive.
I am so blessed to work with amazing people to speak to inspirational athletes.

10/04/2022

What a day yesterday.
Up at 5 to commentate at Stonyhurst triathlon with Rob Macleod and Jack Worrall from Epic Events.
Amazing scenery driving over and a stunning setting bathed in sunshine.

A quick change into my suit to get back to AFC FYLDE to announce for the 300th time (not my 300th birthday as my sister Carol Clifford reported 🤣).

I suspected the club were up to something when I was told by Callum Foster to hand over the microphone to Jack Connor.
After some kind words from Jack and being given a lovely bottle of wine and card, Stephen Cowell stepped forward with the shirt in the photo.

To cap off an unbelievable day I had another first.
Sam Osborne grabbed a last kick winner and the gaffer and goalkeeper coach jumped on top of me before I could announce the goal.

Carlsbad don't do days and if they dis it wouldn't be as good as this one.

25/08/2021

I love commentating at events.
It's not really a job, more a vocation, or a calling.
I never know who I'm going to meet, or how I might affect their day.
A simple (often daft) act to me, makes a huge difference to the reciver of my enjoyment.
I was blessed to receive this from Graham yesterday.
He struggled at a race I was working on, so I gave him a little help.
At Bolton Ironman, the weather beat him, and many others.
Frankly, I'd have given up.
Not Graham.
WELL DONE.

02/07/2021

Amazing first day of Supersapiens Ironman Bolton, with the 5k Night Run tonight.

27/06/2021

What a weekend.
Saturday at Whitby for Coast to Coast in a day cycle challenge with Tom Rumsey and James Thurlow.
Followed by a lovely drive up to Ambleside.
The vide is the view that greeted me before working on The Montane Grizedale 26 and 13 mile trails races with Rob Macleod Molly Benfold Si Benfold Sandra Jane Benfold Jack Worrall Mick Hall Steve Ashman Joanne McWilliams.

24/06/2021

It's another busy one this weekend.
Whitby on Saturday to welcome cyclists on Coast to Coast in a day.
How good does this start look?
Sunday it's Grizedale trail races.
I have the best job in the world.

10/06/2021

Fabulous weekend with Epic Events, started with Ullswater Trail Run 20 mile and 10 mile races.

https://youtu.be/lR_NMXnB5mA

Montane Trail 20 & 10 Ullswater Way 2021

01/06/2021

A wonderful day on Sunday, commentating for Epic Events at Epicman Windermere.

01/06/2021

Great work from Steve Ashman, producing this video

Short film from Southport Triathlon 2021 featuring the Sprint and Standard Distance races - the Standard Distance was also a qualifying event for the GB Age ...

30/05/2021

What a place to call your office for the day.
Windermere for Epicman Windermere middle distance and standard distance triathlon.
Loads of athletes using the event as part of their build up to Ironman Bolton.
Outstanding work from Tom Rigby to win it.
Excellent from Sam Walsh and David Berry too, in the middle distance, with top 4 placings.
Unlucky Mark Haggart who's pedal came off. At least you're still smiling.
Well done to Bob Hudson and Mick Edge in the standard distance.
And special mention to Graham Patten, who I accompanied for the last lap of his run.
A wonderful day added to by Blackpool's promotion. Well done Martin Booker and all associated with the club.
Topped off with a swim myself and a glass of red.

09/05/2021

Beautiful day for commentating at The Montane Howgills Trail 26, 13.1 and 10k.