Gary Newbon recalls his ITV Sport years
Former ATV and Central Television sport presenter Gary Newbon is to share his memories of his time reporting for ITV Sport in the Midlands in May.
Speaking to The Birmingham Mail, the current Sky Sports regular, recalled how during the 1982 European Cup final he disguised himself as Aston Villa’s kitman sat on the bench – all in order to get quick post-match interviews.
Newbon, who began his television career at South West ITV region Westward TV in the 1960s, was allowed the unprecedented access to the Villa players by manager Tony Barton after a run-in with a UEFA press officer who banned pitch side interviews at the game.
“A pompous UEFA press officer told us we would have to wait until 45 minutes after the game before we could do any interviews. I said that was no good to us as ITV would be off air after 15 minutes. I told Tony Barton I needed to be able to do interviews straight after the match, so he agreed to let me sit on the subs’ bench and borrow an official tracksuit from the Villa kitman… Thankfully I wasn’t spotted.” – Gary Newbon speaking to The Birmingham Mail
The 1982 European Cup final saw Aston Villa beat Bayern Munich 1-0.
“Before captain Dennis Mortimer lifted the cup, I got a live interview with Allan Evans and then lots more in the dressing room. When the UEFA press officer saw me he literally cried, but I’d got the job done. There are so many cameras at grounds today that you wouldn’t be able to get away with something like that now. But they’ve also changed the rules so touchline reporters can sit close to the benches.” – Gary Newbon speaking to The Birmingham Mail
Newbon joined ATV in the Midlands in the 1970s first as a sports reporter on evening news show ATV Today and ITV Sport. By the time Central Television took over the ITV Midland region from ATV in 1982 Newbon had been promoted to Head of Sport, West Midlands, for the company. Stories from those days are to be told as part of the When Villa Ruled Europe show on Tuesday the 20th of May at Birmingham Town Hall. 0121 345 0600 or www.thsh.co.uk for more details.
