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Home-working journalist gets podcast out thanks to son’s help

A sports journalist working from home has managed to record his regular football podcast despite the coronavirus outbreak – by getting his 12-year-old son to co-host it with him.

Mat Kendrick, Reach plc’s football editor in the Midlands, asked his son Samuel on to Birmingham Live’s Claret & Blue podcast, which covers goings on at Aston Villa FC.

Mat had been unable to record the latest edition of the podcast, which is also available to watch on YouTube, with his regular co-hosts due to the “technical challenge” posed by the coronavirus outbreak.

So instead Mat and Samuel discussed match day routines, favourite memories and the bond they share through their support of the club.

Mat told HTFP: “We’ve been having lots of joy growing our Claret & Blue podcast and YouTube channel lately. These are unsettling times for us all, but we’re determined to offer some light relief and a fun distraction with a ‘show must go on’ approach to our episodes.

“This has been a technical challenge with my fellow hosts in lockdown in their own homes, so instead of doing our usual link up over FaceTime, I roped in a special guest. Samuel, my 12-year-old son, is being home-schooled at the moment so it seemed like a perfect time to continue his Aston Villa education.

“As we love a good natter and a moan about Villa, it made sense to do it in front of the camera and the mic.

“The feedback has been great – although many people want him to replace me permanently as the presenter of the podcast – and we’ve had 1,000 views/listens in the first half a day.

“He’s gone back to studying maths with his mom, while I’m trying to dream up some more creative ideas for a football podcast at a time when there’s no football.”

Reach has also announced its regular mental health podcast, No Really, I’m Fine, will be running a three-part series helping listeners to look after themselves mentally during the coronavirus crisis.

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  • March 25, 2020 at 1:37 pm
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    Well done for getting the news out Mat – but sports journalists wearing football colours?

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