Stewart Gardner, MUTV Commentator

Ben Hibbs of manutd.com recently interviewed the man, Stewart Gardner, who normally does the interviews and his responses reflected his natural wit that he displays on camera every week.  Stewart and his partner, Paddy Crerand, are my lifeline to United.  I depend upon Stewart's level-headedness and Paddy's sense of humor to give me the background on the Reds' matches.  Stewart can get excited sometimes, and when Michael Owen scored the winner against City last year, I can still hear his voice say, "Michael Owen...MICHAEL OWEN!!!!!!!!!" as he scored.  It shows the love for the game that Stewart and Paddy have, and he's right that I would pummel him if it meant I could have his job! 

How long have you followed United as a journalist?

I worked for the BBC for 11 years, mostly at BBC Radio Manchester. I started covering United in the 1999/00 season and then in 2006/07 I joined MUTV. Working at MUTV, you’re very much on the inside, you’re part of the club and close to everything that happens.

Talk us through your matchday rountine…

I always arrive at the ground incredibly early, at least three hours before kick-off. That way you can sort out any problems like accreditation or your commentary position. For home games I head to MUTV’s gallery and write down a predicted XI for the guys to mock up the team graphics. I’ve been right maybe once in three years! An hour before the game I go to the players’ tunnel and wait for the teams to be announced. Then I do my usual pitch-side chat with Lou Macari, before heading to the TV gantry where, with 40 minutes to go, I institute a search party to find my co-commentator Paddy Crerand!

What’s Paddy like to work with?

I don’t think he knows who I am. He still calls me Steve [Bower], three years after Steve left! But he’s brilliant, a total one-off. I explain opposition players’ names using phonetics so he can pronounce them. His team-sheets should go to the museum, they’re hilarious. One thing I will say is that his knowledge of United and the game is incredible. He’s also magnificently biased, which isn’t an act – he’s like that all the time. He’s great to work with, funny, insightful… but must work on his time-keeping!

Who’s the best player to interview?

I speak to the manager every game and no matter how many times you interview him you always have a feeling of trepidation. But he’s brilliant. Fletcher, O’Shea and Carrick are happy to talk, interesting and reliable. But Patrice Evra is my favourite; you can ask him anything and he has a hilarious turn of phrase.


What’s the best part of the job?

Every time I sit in the TV gantry at Old Trafford – the best seat in the house – I think that there must be millions of people around the world who’d strangle me to do this. It’s a great job, and I regularly think to myself that I’ll never have a better one.

Finally, will you be commentating on some trophy successes this season?

I dream of United replicating 1968 and winning the European Cup at Wembley. But as much as I loved the Champions League final in 2008, there’s nothing like winning the league. To get to 19 titles would be very special, and I want to be there when we do it.
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I do too, Stewart...I do too!  We're still in it!

Stewart (right) interviewing Sir Alex after training

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