MEET THE LFC TV PRESENTERS: PETER MCDOWALL

His voice has been a familiar sound on Merseyside radio for the past few years – but LFC TV's latest signing is now eagerly relishing the opportunity to transfer his skills to television as one of the lead presenters on the club's new channel.

With a background steeped in the footballing traditions of the city, 29-year-old Peter McDowall is well versed in dealing with the men who matter at Anfield and delivering the latest breaking news to the city's football mad public.

And now, having chosen to leave his high profile presenting role at Radio City for a new challenge with LFC TV, he's looking forward to enjoying a long and successful career working for British football's most decorated club.
"When Liverpool come calling you just don't say no," said Peter. "Working in television is something I've always had in my mind as something I'd like to do and a challenge like this doesn't come along every day. I'm not new to broadcasting, I've been working at the top end of radio for the last five or six years and been part of award winning teams.

"I've commentated for TV for three years and so have an understanding of how television works. Presenting on TV is a new skill for me but it's one I'm confident I can do well at.

"I feel an overwhelming sense of pride at being involved right from the start at LFC TV because it is such an exciting time for everyone involved.

"If the fans could get the chance to look around the studios and see the plans that are in place for the channel then they would be as blown away as I was when I first came here. The whole set-up just oozes class and the people working here are so schooled in the club and know what the fans want to see and hear. That's why this is going to be a big success."

Peter graduated as a broadcast journalist from Liverpool John Moores University before joining local radio station Marcher Sound in 2001.

The following year he moved to Radio City where his position evolved over time to become deputy news editor and then the main anchorman for the station's football coverage, which included leading the presenting team live from Athens at last season's Champions League final.

"Athens was a brilliant experience," he says. "Going on trips like that is what the job is all about really but this one was different because there was a big news event taking place alongside the sporting side of things.

"We were jammed in the crush before the game and didn't get to our seats until just before the kick off. We went through so much trouble just to get into the stadium. Eventually I saw a cameraman from SKY and pleaded with him to tell me how to get in – he just pointed to a steward and from there I was able to convince him to open the doors for us.

"Anchoring the coverage from Athens is definitely the biggest thing I have done in my career so far because we knew there were going to be so many people listening and overall I thought we did a good job."

Regular listeners to Radio City's Saturday sports coverage will also have heard Peter hosting the popular Terrace Talk programme, a radio style football fanzine encouraging fans to debate the game's latest hot topics with pundits and experts alike.

"We started that show with a blank canvas but we quickly realised that the programmes which do well on radio are talk based where the fans can have their say," he said. "The fans want to hear honest views and get involved in an honest debate.

"The listening figures are fantastic and we know former players and even current players regularly tune in.

"In fact one of the things I'm most looking forward to at LFC TV is continuing the relationship I have with the ex-players. The legends from years gone by who are going to be regulars in our studios are the ones I idolised as a kid. The likes of John Aldridge, Ronnie Whelan and John Barnes were my heroes and so to be working with them now for the club is a brilliant prospect for me.

"I'm also excited about getting closer to the current players because, of course, with this being the club's own channel we'll be at Melwood on a daily basis.

"There'll be a talk show several nights a week called 'This is Anfield' which will be similar to 'Terrace Talk' in that it will allow fans to air their views. Liverpool fans, more than any others, want to talk football, whether it be about the games, the players or the latest rumours. The new co-Chairmen, George Gillett and Tom Hicks, seem keen on engaging the fans in conversation and making them part of the debate and this show fits that brief exactly. Of course, there's also a manager who is absolutely adored by the red half of the city.

"I think the fans will love the channel because they won't have seen anything like it before. We'll take them behind the scenes of the club at what is probably the most exciting time we have known here for many years.

"Rafa's squad has evolved over the last couple of seasons into one which is probably going to challenge for the title this time around and it would be fantastic if the team could finish the season on top of the league at the end of our first year on air."

Tomorrow: Meet another member of the LFC TV presenting team.

LFC TV launches on September 20 on Setanta Sports.

Click here for more information on how you can receive the club's dedicated channel>>