ALL roads might lead to Wembley Stadium for Arsenal and Hull City football fans but for those in Sydney, it will be Mortdale Hotel this Saturday.
Barry Hansen of Caringbah and Micky Brock of Beverly Hills are co-hosts of the popular 2SSR 99.7 FM radio show British Football Watch.
And for the final game of the British season, the crew are broadcasting for the first time from Mortdale Hotel, 9pm-11pm, to coincide with the FA Cup lead-up.
“We chose the hotel because it’s very much like an old, English-style pub,” Micky Brock said.
The cup final between Arsenal and Hull City will be at 2am on Sunday our time.
During the English Premier League season, Hansen and Brock host the popular radio show 7pm-9pm on Saturdays from the 2SSR99.7 FM studios at Gymea TAFE.
Brock, a flooring salesman with Cronulla Carpets at Taren Point, said the show had a strong foundation in St George, Sutherland Shire and the rest of Australia.
“We also have a lot of listeners who tune in on the web in England, Germany, France, Africa and around the globe,” Brock said.
Brock was Australian Arsenal Supporters Club chairman in 1990-2005.
“It is something obviously dear to my heart,” he said.
The London born and bred fan is a keen Arsenal supporter. Their home ground at Highbury was like a second home for him.
Brock came to Australia in 1987 and returned to live here permanently in 1990.
“I heard about the program and then I approached Barry to get on the show about eight or nine years ago and I did little bits and pieces,” Brock said. “I was known as the squatter on the program.”
Since starting as a contributor with news, views and opinions, Brock has become a regular with Hansen, co-hosting the show from the studios on Saturday nights.
Brock said the special guest for the live broadcast on Saturday would be former Arsenal goalkeeper Ron Tilsed who played in Arsenal’s 1971 FA Cup win over Liverpool.
The radio show has developed a following among “football tragics”.
Brock advises football fans planning to be at Mortdale Hotel to let management know beforehand as it has room for 200-250 people.
Details: Paul at Mortdale Hotel, 9580 1174.
