In the eyes of some listeners, the benchmark had been set. It was not about cheap tactics to get people to ring in. It was not about in-jokes or egos. It was about substance. And more importantly, it was about sport.
Richard Kaufman first appeared on talkSPORT in 1999 as the station’s leading golf commentator and presenter before becoming host of The Afternoon Sportszone in 2001 and then presenter of Drive in 2002. The format was similar to that of the afternoon show in that it contained interviews, discussion and a full round-up of the day’s sports news meaning that by end of the show, the listener should be fully versed upon the key stories.
However, less than twelve months later, talkSPORT management decided to replace Richard with station newcomer Patrick Kinghorn alongside former Republic of Ireland International Tony Cascarino. It was a move that Richard was not totally ready for having been in the position for little under a year but found regular work reporting for Sky Sports News in the weeks after his departure from the station.
He says: “I wasn’t totally prepared for life outside of talkSPORT when I left. I was so focussed on the role presenting on my own for three hours a day, five days a week, meaning that I wasn’t doing much else outside of that. In hindsight, I should have been better prepared for the worst.”
Richard’s commitments with Sky Sports did not end there. In recent months, he has progressed as one of the broadcaster’s regular commentators on their Premier League Football First programme. He says: “It’s been fairly recent that I have got on board with Sky Sports on the commentary side. Obviously, some of my golf commentaries have gone on the channel, but it wasn’t until the start of the year, I actually got on air with the football. It should have happened last season. I was asked to do some Spanish football for them. I said I couldn’t as I was already booked with someone else and didn’t want to let them down.
“I was given a go again in the FA Cup and, kind of, became their Havant and Waterlooville correspondent. I did the match at Swansea in the third round and then the game at Anfield which was pretty special. After covering a lot of Premier League, Champions League and European football for Sky Sports, they were so refreshing and approachable. Since then, I have done some Premier League commentaries on Football First with my next game scheduled for the final day of the season on Sunday 11th May.”
It is not just Sky Sports, however, that Richard provides his talent as a Premier League commentator but for TWI as well. He is a man that is heard by millions around the world from the USA and South Africa to Dubai alongside Andy Townsend and Tony Cascarino as well as David Pleat and newcomers Efan Ekoku and Nigel Winterburn. Richard says: “You get a certain rapport with some if you commentate with them often enough. I enjoy working with former Spurs player Gary O’Reilly and I’m one of the few people who get his jokes!
“But what can be better than watching and calling the action and excitement of a football match? Naturally, there’s some crap around and there is nothing you can do but comment on the dross in front of you. But from someone who has commentated on a lot of French football, negative tactics and boring football doesn’t happen half as much in England as it probably does in other domestic leagues around Europe."
Although football is still Richard’s number one sport, golf continues to be close to his heart and provides a refreshing change in style and pace to the beautiful game when covering events. He says: “With football the action is all thick and fast. With the golf, especially on the radio, there is the chance for a laugh and banter with your co-commentator. Growing up, I used to love listening to Test Match Special for that kind of feel. And then there’s the action itself. Since I’ve been covering the sport, it’s almost directly coincided with the phenomenon of Tiger Woods and it’s been a privilege to meet, talk to and get up close with an incredible sportsman.”
Despite being at major events in the world of football and golf, Richard confesses to missing the interaction that was associated with being a presenter and perhaps wishes for more balance between the roles. He says: “When we last spoke, most of my time was spent as a presenter and I was missing my commentary work. Now I’m mostly commentating and I miss what I was doing on talkSPORT. I enjoyed the interaction with the listeners and being part of a station. Someone, who is a fairly regular contributor to the station, said that he thinks I’m a better presenter than commentator. I obviously like to think that I’m good at both. I definitely enjoy both.
“I still listen to the station, mainly when I’m in the car. Hawksbee and Jacobs are still going strong and they’re excellent at what they do. They make it sound easy and keep it fresh, fun and enjoyable but it’s a tough show to do. I also think Adrian’s found a good partner for his talents. Ian Wright was a brilliant finisher for Arsenal and seems to be an inspired choice for talkSPORT on the Drive show with Adrian Durham.”
On the field itself, Richard describes Lawrie Sanchez’s appointment at his Fulham FC as a “disaster” as they teeter on the brink of relegation: “The team got progressively worse as the season went on and that was because of his tactics and his transfer activity. There had already been a bit of a decline in the last days of Chris Coleman but Sanchez bought good Championship players and that’s where they’ll be heading.”
“Roy Hodgson had a massive job to do when he took over and he’s done his best. At least he got us back playing some football but when you’re chasing points, it’s not easy. We deserve to go down. It’s been seven consecutive years in the Premier League. I never thought growing up I’d see Fulham in the top flight and hopefully, we can bounce back quickly although I know that won’t be easy.”
Richard’s commentary activities look set to prosper as he get his feet firmly under the table in the gantry at Premier League stadia for Sky Sports and TWI. And although he’s appeared on talkSPORT since departing the station in 2003, perhaps its time to give both Richard and the listeners what they have been missing.
Reintroducing: Richard Kaufman
Presenter & Commentator: 1999-2003
April 2008 |
