‘I want to give fans the best overview of what is happening at their club’

When Sheridan Robins got a season ticket to watch Yeovil Town Football Club when she was a teenager, little did she know that just over a decade or so later she would be calling their games for the BBC.

The Weston-super-Mare based journalist is a Parliamentary Communications Officer by day but at night and weekends, she leads the commentary for Yeovil Town’s games in the National League South for BBC Somerset as well as now covering both Bristol City and Bristol Rovers for local radio, and has just made her debut on Radio Five Live as she becomes part of the national scene.

Speaking to Somerset’s Alive!, Sheridan describes her commentating journey.

She said: “I have been lucky enough to start my broadcast journey covering the team which means so much to me.

“I had a season ticket for Yeovil since I was 16 years old, with a slight gap for university. The workload has increased but for the past 15 or so years, my weekends have been full of football and to then be able to do it as part of your job is amazing.”

Sheridan continued to say about how she has grown as a commentator and how important it is that she does justice for the fans listening.

She added: “I have developed a lot in the past two years – with plenty more to learn. Not only do you need to nail the commentary, there are also important questions to be asked pre and post match to ensure fans have the best overview of what is happening at their club.”

Becoming a BBC commentator was not the original plan for Sheridan but it is something that blossomed from an invitation to talk about Yeovil Town on the radio.

Sheridan said: “While I am a qualified journalist, I did fall into the radio side. I would attend most Yeovil games and was invited to go on BBC Somerset to talk about the side, then got asked to summarise and did that for a season, before the excellent Tom I was working with stepped away from commentary.

“I was given a huge opportunity by BBC Bristol to step up and while I was so nervous, they gave me all the support to keep going.”

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And keep going Sheridan has and now she is making a name for herself among fans. She continued: “This is now my third campaign in a row behind the microphone and while I am still covering Yeovil, I have been handed opportunities to do City and Rovers commentaries and reporting for BBC Radio Five Live which is a dream come true!

“BBC Five Live got in touch having heard some commentary from last season’s FA Cup. One of the best – if surprising – phone calls I have received!”

The rise in her commentating commitments has meant that Sheridan has had to juggle this with her ‘day job’, but she said that there was one thing that has helped her through.

“With a lot of coffee!” admits Sheridan, “It is tough, I won’t lie. I am so lucky to have a very supportive boss who is very proud of what I am doing and allows me to take the opportunities I am given.”

The small break between seasons is a time for Sheridan to recharge her batteries but this coming year will see her calling Women’s Super League games on the day she used to have earmarked as her rest day.

Sheridan said: “I always need time over the summer to completely switch off from football and the intensity of the schedule. I also try and make sure Sundays are my day to myself.

“It is the time I get to enjoy my home, a long run, and getting ready for the week.

“This season, I will be committing to some Sundays for the WSL but usually they are non negotiable for me.”

So, where does Sheridan hope that her commentating takes her? She admits that if it was to become her job then that would be a fantastic outcome.

She said: “I would love to be able to do this full time. Whether that be nationally, locally or maybe both. It is what drives me through my busy schedule.

“At the moment, I say no to very little to try and progress. I am hoping it will be worth it – and every time I do a game, I get a buzz!”

Sheridan is now often celebrated for what she does, with many compliments for her work. There have been some tough moments though.

Sheridan told Somerset’s Alive!: “I have had my fair share of criticism too and that takes some getting used to. You have to realise you are not going to be everyone’s cup of tea, and take feedback on board.

“But, I also get a huge amount of support and for that I am grateful. I give it my all and can honestly say I work hard to be prepared for every game and situation. I also hope my passion for the game comes across.”

With Yeovil Town under the stewardship of a new owner/chairman and a number of changes being made at the club, what does Sheridan think about the future of the club she is so passionate about?

She said: “Yeovil are a work in progress, but the games I have seen have been very encouraging. There is a lot of talent in the squad and a manager who is committed to playing football.

“I believe this may be a turning point for the club which means so much to me and my family.

“I am grateful for all the other opportunities I have been given, but I am glad I can continue to be a part of this season as I believe it could finally be the positive one we deserve.”

The National League South sees a contingent of clubs from the West Country compete against each other and Sheridan believes there will be some terrific match-ups this season.

She continued: “I am also enjoying seeing the team where I live do well – Weston-super-Mare. They got promoted in style last season and I would love to see them kick on as they are a club run in the right way.

“They have a lot of talent in the group and I hope, minus two games, they continue to surprise.

“Taunton are also a club I admire with how they adapted to a division above last season. What impresses me about our local teams is the way players commit to long term projects. They see the clubs want to achieve and stay for a number of years.”

Sheridan finished by saying: “Jerry Gill summarised with me for my first ever lead commentary so I always hope his Bath City side do well, too. It is so competitive and I think those local derbies are going to produce classics.”