Media discussion - 2025/26

[Dave Ewing's Back 'eader]

Just seen it. It was grim. Not news. Not educational. Not even entertaining. Quite sad really how much dross the BBC pumps out now.

They've got to try and keep the Rag diaspora interested and their local club relevant.

 

[Dave Ewing's Back 'eader]

After the deadline for them to reply to my FoI I prompted them and received the answer to the very difficult question Once again they played the journalism clause in their response with no apology for the delay in replying

I have been informed* that the BBC has a “group of journalists that cover specific Premier League Clubs.” I would like to request a list of the journalists assigned to each club.
Additionally, I would like to request a list of each journalist’s trips to cover their assigned clubs for both pre-season and post-season tours over the past five years. For each journalist, I would like to know their official job title.
*From a previous FoI

As of 1st September 2025, BBC Sport had the following reporters covering specific Premier League clubs:

• Simon Stone, Manchester United
• Alex Howell, Arsenal
• Ciaran Kelly, Newcastle United
• Niz Kinsella, Chelea assuming thats Chelsea
• Shamoon Hafez, Manchester City

This list is subject to change over time. In addition, other BBC Sport reporters have responsibilities for covering other aspects of the sport.

Hey, BBC! Has everyone on that list got a TV licence?

 

[Gorton_Tubster]

just out oof interest I asked chatgpt to rank clkubs based on media coverage. Take it with a pinch of salt though.

Ranked Table: Premier League Clubs by Media Coverage (2024-25 season)​

Here’s a table ranking all Premier League clubs by estimated media coverage. Top down = most coverage:

Rank	Club	Approximate live TV appearances in UK	Relative social media / follower strength	Other notes (viewership / engagement)
1	Liverpool	~30 games NUFC The Mag	Very high — among top clubs in global followers. SI+4PremierLeagueNow+4BBC Feeds+4	Most-watched club in cumulative TV audience; leading in social media engagement. Liverpool FC+1
2	Arsenal	~29 games NUFC The Mag	Very high — in top 5 for followers globally. BBC Feeds+3PremierLeagueNow+3BBC Feeds+3	Frequent selection for big matches; lots of attention in press/media.
3	Manchester United	~28 games NUFC The Mag	Highest follower counts among Premier League clubs. FIRST+3BBC Feeds+3BBC Feeds+3	Despite some weaker performances, strong media pull because of history, fanbase etc.
4	Aston Villa	~27 games NUFC The Mag	Medium-high among non-“big six” clubs. PremierLeagueNow+2FIRST+2	Getting more TV exposure lately.
5	Chelsea	~26 games NUFC The Mag	Very high social media & follower base. BBC Feeds+2PremierLeagueNow+2	Regular subject in media narratives (transfers, coaching etc).
6	Newcastle United	~25 games NUFC The Mag	Lower follower counts compared to the top six, but rising. PremierLeagueNow+1	Boosted by recent success and high-interest matches.
7	Manchester City	~25 games NUFC The Mag	Very high followers; among top clubs globally. BBC Feeds+2PremierLeagueNow+2	Strong recent performance gets media coverage.
8	Tottenham Hotspur	~24 games NUFC The Mag	Good follower numbers (top 10 of PL) but below top-4. PremierLeagueNow+2BBC Feeds+2	Regular mentions, though less than the very top.
9	Nottingham Forest	~22 games NUFC The Mag	Relatively modest follower base. PremierLeagueNow+1	Some media interest when over-performing.
10	West Ham United	~18 games NUFC The Mag	Medium level in followers. PremierLeagueNow+1	Often covered because of London base / marquee fixtures.
11	Crystal Palace	~18 games NUFC The Mag	Lower follower counts; less global reach. PremierLeagueNow	Local and London media pick up some coverage.
12	Bournemouth	~17 games NUFC The Mag	Modest followers. PremierLeagueNow	Less in headlines unless in big matches or good run.
13	Everton	~16 games NUFC The Mag	Decent historical fanbase but follower growth slower. PremierLeagueNow	Coverage sometimes nostalgic / focused on struggles.
14	Brighton & Hove Albion	~16 games NUFC The Mag	Modest but growing. PremierLeagueNow	Good recent performances => more press.
15	Wolverhampton Wanderers	~15 games NUFC The Mag	Lower follower count. PremierLeagueNow	Less media coverage, except in specific stories.
16	Brentford	~15 games NUFC The Mag	Small follower base. PremierLeagueNow	Niche / local coverage more than big national.
17	Fulham	~14 games NUFC The Mag	Low-mid followers. PremierLeagueNow	Some coverage via London media.
18	Leicester City	~14 games NUFC The Mag	Followers decent but came down from prior peak interest. PremierLeagueNow	Media interest reduces when not challenging or in Europe.
19	Southampton	~11 games NUFC The Mag	Low follower/fanbase growth. PremierLeagueNow	Less frequent in national media unless controversies.
20	Ipswich Town	~10 games NUFC The Mag	Very small global following among current PL clubs. PremierLeagueNow	Mostly local-/region-based coverage.

 

[Gone for a Burton]

It says he’s in the South Stand with the most ‘ardent’ supporters, but the ‘picture of the seat’ is definitely in the Colin Bell corner of the North Stand. Wtf? Never mind dodgy sites, Dan Roan is not the full ticket

The cockroach knows exactly what he's doing,saying & why.

He's a bitter,slimey, snide bastard !!

 

[Norbiton]

The cockroach knows exactly what he's doing,saying & why.

He's a bitter,slimey, snide bastard !!

And step forward Mr Barney Ronay today to challenge him for the crown. A piece of bile on the Premier League’s charges which sheds no light on anything but is full of innuendo which I’m sure he imagines is clever.

 

[Aba452]

Switched on football focus, Alex Scott on Bergvahl, his work rate's very had working, switched back to my Charlie's Angels marathon!

 

[Gone for a Burton]

Switched on football focus, Alex Scott on Bergvahl, his work rate's very had working, switched back to my Charlie's Angels marathon!

What ????

 

[Kippax Street 1880]

Just the three Raggo stories on BBC Breakfast this week with silly Sally and dreadful Naga. Ella Toone, the Pisscan and most ridiculous of all the guy that doesnt even go to games but wont get his hiarcut until they win 5 games on the trot

The haircut guy does make me laugh every time I see him pop up to be fair he'll be able to stand guard outside Buckingham Palace soon

 

[Centurions]

What I just cannot understand is why the club allow Roan onto the Campus. After the snidey, sneering, reporting he cobbled together he should be spotted. And just how many tickets did he have? He must have had one for the camera man. And the camera man must have got in first 'cos he's filming him walking in. And why does my licence fee go towards getting this 'chief' into the ground?

Can't believe I'm saying this but I'm glad they did that piece, it's something that needs dragging into the light of day and getting sorted.

 

[Blueboy73]

And step forward Mr Barney Ronan today to challenge him for the crown. A piece of bile on the Premier League’s charges which sheds no light on anything but is full of innuendo which I’m sure he imagines is clever.

Is this Barney " row of grinning beards" Ronay?
Nothing but a bitter, snide racist.

 

[LangleyBlue1970]

After the deadline for them to reply to my FoI I prompted them and received the answer to the very difficult question Once again they played the journalism clause in their response with no apology for the delay in replying

I have been informed* that the BBC has a “group of journalists that cover specific Premier League Clubs.” I would like to request a list of the journalists assigned to each club.
Additionally, I would like to request a list of each journalist’s trips to cover their assigned clubs for both pre-season and post-season tours over the past five years. For each journalist, I would like to know their official job title.
*From a previous FoI

As of 1st September 2025, BBC Sport had the following reporters covering specific Premier League clubs:

• Simon Stone, Manchester United
• Alex Howell, Arsenal
• Ciaran Kelly, Newcastle United
• Niz Kinsella, Chelea assuming thats Chelsea
• Shamoon Hafez, Manchester City

This list is subject to change over time. In addition, other BBC Sport reporters have responsibilities for covering other aspects of the sport.

Why would you waste your time doing this initially, then chasing it up?

 

[TinFoilHat]

Just waiting for the media to ignore Jack calling the dippers ref out and concentrate on Moyes 'loving him' compared to heartless Pep.

 

[mad4city]

And step forward Mr Barney Ronan today to challenge him for the crown. A piece of bile on the Premier League’s charges which sheds no light on anything but is full of innuendo which I’m sure he imagines is clever.

I wonder if Ronay has it within him that he might someday look back on the piece published today with a degree of embarrassment? Because it really is that pathetic.
Never mind that it's surprisingly poorly-written (in fairness, even if I rarely agree with his takes on City, he's normally one of the better actual writers). The fact that the article positively reeks of sour grapes (as opposed to say, oh, I dunno, the positing, exploration and conclusion of any coherent argument) is what really makes it an offering of unreadable petulance.
File under the whinging and mewling of a man who knows the dance is over, the lights are flickering on and the girl he fancied has left with a guy he hates.
Ronay's piece reads like a guy who is now workshopping excuses for having (yet again, where City are involved!) allowed his prejudice to be his guide and called the 115(ish) case spectacularly wrongly.
As far as City are concerned, Ronay has proven himself to be a nothing, a nobody. Wrong at every turn and clearly embittered by the experience. His opinions on anything City-related, like their beholder, are of no importance whatsoever.

 

[Gray]

sine die for me - disappointed nobody squashed this cartel cockroach scuttling about amongst our fans
View attachment 169970

Not brave enough to try the South stand so opted to sneak into the family stand.

 

[Gordyola]

Why would you waste your time doing this initially, then chasing it up?

It’s a means to an end
Could ask why you are wasting your time reading it and asking me?

 

[gordondaviesmoustache]

Not brave enough to try the South stand so opted to sneak into the family stand.

Does anyone believe the **** was actually there?

 

[dadnlad]

Does anyone believe the **** was actually there?

He had film crew with him how the .... have they been let in surely security issue

 

[LangleyBlue1970]

It’s a means to an end
Could ask why you are wasting your time reading it and asking me?

touché, and no offence meant. It just seems a waste of time over football. Apologies

 

[Gordyola]

touché, and no offence meant. It just seems a waste of time over football. Apologies

No problem I want to show that the BBC have a bias which is against their charter, funding Stones as a PR for the rags sending them on tours etc whereas they don’t for other clubs

 

[BridgyDids]

Just waiting for the media to ignore Jack calling the dippers ref out and concentrate on Moyes 'loving him' compared to heartless Pep.

He’ll be back getting booed at every ground after those comments