The Man Who Shouts - Life as a football reporter

Publication - October 2023

ISBN – 9781780916491

eISBN – 9781781563458 (available from Amazon on publication) 

The Man Who Shouts gives an insight into what it was like working for Capital Gold Sport which had Jonathan Pearce as its main commentator, driving force and inspiration and which revolutionised football reporting in this country.

In 1989 Simon Michaelson began working as a football reporter for Charing Cross Hospital Radio and the Sportsvox agency. In 1991 he got a dream move to Capital Gold Sport, London’s legendary award-winning radio station. Simon’s encounters with stellar figures such as Malcolm Allison, Elton John, Rodney Marsh, Matt Le Tissier and Bobby Moore are documented in the book as are his experiences as Capital Gold Sport’s Watford reporter.

Woven into the narrative are descriptions of events in Simon’s life which led to him becoming a football reporter including a trip to Morocco and a hair-raising ride through the Pyrenees in Spain. The book is about football and features characters from the game’s diverse and colourful spectrum. But it’s not just about football, it’s a unique, beguiling and entertaining blend of football, adventure and fun.

Author: Simon Michaelson had been a long-standing football supporter when he began working as a football reporter in 1989. Two years later he landed a dream gig working for London’s legendary award-winning station Capital Gold Sport. Simon became Capital Gold Sport’s Watford reporter and wrote a column for the Watford match day programme.

He also wrote articles for Kick It City, a short-lived but fondly remembered magazine focussing on London football. He contributed a number of entries for a 2003 book entitled “you are my Watford… Two hundred things that make Watford Football Club special” (proceeds from sales donated to Watford Supporters Trust).

 Pictures:

1 - You never know who you will bump into in the press box – Leeds great Johnny Giles at Anfield. #lufc #leedsunited

2 - Simon with the great man – interviewing Graham Taylor at a Watford pre-season press day #watfordfc #grahamtaylor

3 - Simon getting amongst it at a Watford pre-season press day

4 - The nerve centre – Simon having fun in the Capital Gold Sport studio, Leicester Square #capitalgold

5 - Simon interviewing dynamic Watford midfielder Micah Hyde at a pre-season press day #micahhyde

Media

See what Watford FC are saying about the book. https://www.watfordfc.com/news/news-ex-watford-reporter-releases-new-book