April 2025 - Crescendos & Coughing Fits
- Warren Muggleton
- May 7
- 3 min read
Updated: May 8
So, crunch time in the football season - there's nothing like it in sport, with a number of prizes at stake and potholes to avoid, whether it's titles, play-off places or surviving a relegation scrap.
It's also a time when sports commentators can find their voices attached to viral moments, hoping they'll be the soundtrack to a moment in history.
And that was certainly an opportunity with Southend United's late National League surge which saw them end the month sitting in the play-off places for the first time this season.
A rollercoaster of emotions - something I certainly went through myself...
Let's get the tough stuff out of the way first.
My first scheduled commentary of the month was the Blues' home clash with Solihull Moors, knowing they could get into the play-offs.
In the three weeks before this, I had been ill with a cough. I'd managed to work but it had not gone away.
I got two minutes into the game before my throat had a tickle, which transformed into a horrendous coughing fit (don't worry, no audio of it - I wouldn't put you through that!).
I was very lucky to have my editor presenting next to me and she was able to take over commentating.
At the time, I felt totally embarrassed and foolish.
On reflection, I realised I had not rested properly and had pushed myself too hard. As much as I love commentating, health comes first.
I've also realised that golden syrup is a golden tool to have for softening the vocal chords ahead of commentary.
As Oscar Wilde said, 'experience is the hardest kind of teacher'. There's nothing wrong with failing every now and again, as long as you learn from it.
Now, onto the good stuff!
This is Southend United's fourth goal in a 4-0 win against already-relegated Ebbsfleet United.
Listening back to recent commentaries, I felt I hadn't been building up to the chances enough - 'crescendo'-ing - and wanted to work on it.
I think it comes across here well, finishing with Josh Walker's strike in front of the jubilant fans.
I am getting more comfortable painting pictures for radio - mentioned in my last blog - so bringing in the change of weather to the description was a nice touch.
How about another one?!
This is the new lead clip on my Reels, which you can see in the link.
I was really happy with the build-up, geography and tonal variety of this clip.
While the action is fast, I avoid becoming garbled while keeping up and detailing Charley Kendall's goal amidst the wild celebrations of over 9,500 Blues fans at Roots Hall.
Composure was the name of the game and I'm glad to keep improving it, as detailed in March's blog.
To give you a little insight into my personal life, I love mixology - the art of cocktails!
Whether it's composing a soothing Old Fashioned or stirring a Singapore Sling, I enjoy learning new recipes and trying them out.
So when it came to Southend United's last home game of the season - with a place in the play-offs on the line - I saw the opportunity to combine my passions.
I don't like to prepare these introductory remarks ahead of the game but take in the atmosphere and see what comes to mind.
I appreciate it can be a 'Marmite' technique for listeners but I think that extra creativity can add to building the atmosphere, answering that ever-present question commentators try to answer 'what makes today different'.
WHAT DID YOU THINK TO THESE CLIPS? GIVE ME YOUR FEEDBACK IN THE COMMENTS BELOW!
I know this is looking ahead into May but allow me to wax lyrical about Inter Milan's 4-3 extra-time Champions League semi-final second-leg victory over Barcelona.
This was, quite simply, one of the finest games of football I've ever seen.
Top quality, intense competitiveness, late drama, pulsating San Siro atmosphere, goals galore - games like this do not come across very often.
On Prime Video, it was accompanied by one of the finest football commentaries I've every head - coming from Jon Champion.
I would encourage you to watch the full game back if possible as, alongside Alan Shearer, he added colourfully to the opening pictures, signified every wonderful goal with expansive vocabulary and elegant balance of the atmosphere, as well as summing up in the most delightful way.
I was lucky enough to have a one-on-one with Jon back in 2021 when I started getting into regularly commentary. He is one of the biggest advocates for letting the pictures talk and the economy of words, something on full display in Milan.
I think I will be listening back to this golden commentary pretty regularly - while taking on some golden syrup...
Last updated: 7th May 2025
Comments