July 2025 - Rugby, Rowing and Reflections

Warren Muggleton
Aug 7
2 min read

So, I think two months is just about enough time to recover from a football season! The 2025/26 season is already upon us - and underway for some! July has been, expectedly, the quietest month of the year so far for me, so I'll keep this blog brief...

With Southend United's 2025/26 National League season starting in August, I was not expecting to have any football commentary to talk about for July.

But I was asked to commentate on Colchester United's livestream of their pre-season friendly against Peterborough United on July 25th.

There were two main challenges.

Firstly, this was first time I've commentated on the U's but followed them closely last season with BBC Essex Sport. It gave me a start but I had to prepare notes on two 'new' teams. This is not a new concept by any means but my preparation level was different.

I went to watch the U's in a pre-season match, watched previous matches of both teams and dug into the research to avoid any 'triallist' surprises.

Secondly, this was a TV commentary, accompanying pictures, which means I had to adjust my style to accompany pictures rather than paint pictures.

I've done this before at lower level teams, so felt very happy to take this on. It took 20 minutes to adjust but was really happy with how it unfolded.

Here's the first goal for Colchester United, a first at the Jobserve Community Stadium for new forward Jaden Williams...

WHAT DID YOU THINK TO THESE CLIPS? GIVE ME YOUR FEEDBACK IN THE COMMENTS BELOW!

I mentioned in my last blog that I commentated at the Bournemouth 7s in May and have now managed to get hold of some footage.

Here is the winning moment in the National Cup final to finish off the action...

Rugby was where my commentary journey really got going, setting up livestreams for National 1 side Rosslyn Park in 2019.

I love the fast-flowing nature of the sport and the number of key moments there can be to the scoreboard.

It was my third time at the 7s and was brilliant to keep tapping into this are of my commentary skillset.

July has brought more opportunities to shine a light on other sports in Essex with multi-platform content.

One of my favourites was meeting 'Three Flying Fish', a trio of youngsters aiming to become the youngest to ever row the Atlantic Ocean.

Rowing is a sport that flows through my veins, having competed for my school and rowed recreationally.

So I had to give it a go in the Atlantic boat - here's the proof...

And the last day of the month brought a brilliant opportunity to meet a famous piece of silverware.

The FA Cup was at Harwich & Parkestone ahead of the Extra Preliminary Round, so I went to the club to meet the main characters and of course get a pic.