Andy Gillies

Andy Gillies reported sports for BBC Radio 5 live when he lived in Scotland from 1996 until two years ago, when he and his family relocated to Bude, in Cornwall. They now run a small holiday business and he also continues to work as a freelance sports reporter. He started his career at Hereward Radio in Peterborough, later Mid Anglia Radio where he became programme director, before joining BBC Radio Sport. Prior to moving to Scotland, he produced programmes such as Cliff Morgan’s Sport on 4, and was editor (radio sport) from 1994 to 1996.

1. What prompted the relocation?

A combination of personal rather than professional circumstances. We had been considering investing in a small holiday business in North Cornwall for a number of years, after getting to know the area very well. When we were offered a good price for our house in Scotland we decided to move. After 13 years in Scotland, and, being nearly 50, I was ready for something new. We have the challenge of developing the business, the possibility of building our own house on site, and I was also able to continue with some freelance work.

2. To what extent is it easier or harder to carve out a freelance in south-west England compared to Scotland?

At the moment I am mainly still working for BBC Radio Sport, as much of the rest of our time has been taken up establishing the business and getting the family settled. You get used to familiar faces and surroundings when you work in one area; after a couple of years, I’m now finding my way around and getting to know people here.

3. Plymouth, Torquay and Exeter are on your patch, when it comes to football. You miss the presumably superior standard of the Scottish Premier League?

Well, Plymouth certainly do not have their troubles to seek, but hopefully things will improve after coming out of administration, and Exeter are having a difficult season, although the club is terrific. I see a lot of Championship football as well, such as Southampton, and a huge number of the SPL’s better players now operate there. The Championship is a really good league, and on the evidence of the season so far, north and south of the border, the best of the SPL are probably operating at that level.

4. Any difference(s) to note between the respective press boxes?

Some are very rickety, just like in Scotland. Premiership clubs have to provide a video feed, which is a real help

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5. What do you miss most about reporting in Scotland?

The half-time pies.

6. Anything Scottish sports organisations could learn from the way their counterparts in south-west England operate?

Look at how Exeter have re-established themselves as a fans club after nearly going under. All working together, with trust in the manager even when things aren’t going that well.



7. Who is the most difficult football manager you have interviewed?

Gordon Strachan [former Celtic, Middlesborough, etc] was always a challenge. You never knew what was coming

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8. Who has been the single biggest influence on you?

Cliff Morgan taught me more about broadcasting than anyone. A real taskmaster, an outstanding interviewer.

9. Proudest media moment?

Tracking down Bryan Robson and Keith Lamb, then manager and chief executive of Middlesborough, in Brazil and getting them to confirm that Juninho was signing. It was a huge story at the time - before the real influx of foreign players. All I had, in the days before the internet, was an unconfirmed AFP wires story to go on. I finally found them in a hotel in Sao Paolo. Robson put the phone down on me, but Lamb was so astonished I’d found him, he agreed to do an interview to confirm the signing.

10. Most embarrassing?

Being told by a member of the SRU media staff - no longer there now - who Kelly Brown was. Conducting a whole interview, and then realising it wasn’t him.