League backs new podcast

The team behind FCUM radio have launched a brand new podcast covering the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League.

Hosted by Ben Hughes and recorded at The Magnet Inn in Stockport, The NPL Show will take a regular monthly look at all the action on the pitch as well as reviewing the news off it.

Producers have won the backing of the Evo-Stik NPL for the new podcast which they insist aims to tap into the passion of fans, players and officials at all of the league's 68 clubs despite it's origins.

The show's pilot episode - which sees Hughes previewing the new campaign with FCUM Radio's Swampy, New Mills manager Roy Soule and James Heyes from the NPL Facebook Group - is now available online and has already been downloaded by hundreds of listeners.

Hughes, who is now looking forward to recording the first episode proper for release in September, says the only bias they'll be showing is for the 'passion around the league'. While regular FCUM Radio's FC Live listeners will know all about their work, the NPL Show is their first external production and Hughes says are determined to get the editorial mix and balance right to attract the widest possible audience over the campaign.

He said: "One of the key ambitions for The NPL Show is to harness other people's passions for their own football clubs and to give these passions a platform. Ultimately, it is this passion which is the bedrock of this league and something which is well worth showcasing to the outside world.

"I think people outside of FC United now recognise that while perhaps FC Live may be a tad biased at times, it's an honest kind of bias! And like any football supporter, we can heap just as much criticism towards our own team as we can do praise. In the meantime, I intend to be completely neutral!"

FCUM Radio was originally set up by the Premier Division's Rebels as an editorially independent radio station operated by supporters. As a result, Hughes says his team can be relied upon to produce a show that promotes the interests of everybody associated with the Evo-Stik NPL.

Hughes added: "Because of the democratic nature of FC United of Manchester, it was important to establish an independent broadcasting arm for the club, which would exist to allow the free flow of views and opinions across the club, catering for all 3,000 plus supporters.

"Since its founding in 2006, as a collective, the broadcasting arm of FC United has grown over the years to now be the home to over 40 volunteers, catering not just for footballing tastes, but also for music fans too. In addition we now operate a number of media related community projects across Greater Manchester as well."

"It has grown to become more than just how our own team is performing on the pitch. We are now thinking more about how we can use our expertise and passions to make new programming that can entertain and inform audiences not just within our own football club, but outside of it as well. It is with this in mind that we bring to you The NPL Show, our first external programme."

To listen to the show's first episode click here: www.soundcloud.com/thenplshow/august-2013-a-season-preview