As preparations for the new season continue, Express FM can today announce the changes coming to its Pompey matchday coverage show.
Engagement with the Portsmouth supporters is at the forefront of Express FM's objectives for the upcoming campaign and beyond. Pompey Live is a matchday radio show that we'd like Blues fans both in the city and beyond its perimeters to enjoy and be a part of as much as possible.
That is why for the 2024/25 season, the hardworking group of volunteers working behind the scenes and on air will be doing their very best to bring the show to YOU! We know that the Pompey supporters are the best in the land and we aim to involve them, and the unrivalled passion they bring to stadiums up and down the country, as frequently as we can to really take Pompey Live to the next level.
Intentions to welcome fans who are not attending games back to the show are backed up by the on air team, producers and Express FM management, who will all be playing their own role, using their knowledge and applying their own experiences to drip feed more exciting and engaging features as the season ticks by.
When the show returns on August the 10th, you will hear a fresh sound and a tweaked approach with regard to content and material. The structure of Pompey Live from this stage forth will be carefully considered by all members of the team involved, working collaboratively behind the scenes and on scene with Blues supporters to keep improving the on air content as time goes by.
As part of the relaunch of Pompey Live, the team have created a brand new social media page designed specifically to publish football news, interviews, engagement and much, much more created by those representing Express FM.
This means that our social media presence will be stronger than ever before when it comes to football - the new platforms will allow those involved in the Express FM football broadcasting team to proudly publish their work and keep the fans informed with absolutely everything to do with Portsmouth FC, local non-league football, Pompey Live, The Football Hour and Over The White Line as frequently as they wish without clashing with presenters who are live on air broadcasting other shows, respecting the boundaries of the incredible talent pool working within the confines of Express FM.
Football is fast-moving with news breaking randomly at all times of the day, therefore the team require this platform to keep Express FM's listeners and followers in the loop with all of the latest news from the local football scene as it breaks.
You can follow the pages on X (@PompeyOnExpress) and Facebook (facebook.com/PompeyLive).
After 6 seasons on the team, having covered 308 Pompey matchdays, travelled thousands of miles and offered so much of his own time to help put Pompey Live on air on a weekly basis, Express FM is proud to announce that former match summariser/fan pundit Jake Smith will take the reigns to become the show's new host.
Jake, who also hosts The Football Hour every Monday and Friday evening, says that he was "over the moon" when he received the call offering the role: "It's always been a privilege to be on the show but to now become the host is a dream come true.
"I used to listen when the show aired on both 107.4 The Quay and then Express as I had never really been in a position as a kid to be able to go to matches on a regular basis which, whilst frustrating, gave me an insight into how the games looked like from behind the scenes.
"Visiting my dad every weekend and sticking Soccer Saturday on the tele, muted of course, with Pompey Live on in the background was how I grew up following Pompey, so I will always be appreciative of the hard work and dedication that goes in to creating a quality matchday broadcast, consistently on a weekly basis.
"When I was approached by Liam Howes to come on Pompey Live as the invited match summariser/fan pundit in September 2018, I had to pinch myself every single day when it dawned on me that I was going to be speaking on the radio with proud friends and family listening in back home. In truth, those pinch yourself moments never do go away - Every single time I turn the fader up and go on air, I get this overwhelming sense of responsibility and pride, knowing that I am part of this fantastic show that I once religiously listened to.
"There are a long list of successful broadcasters who have gone on to achieve huge things after hosting Pompey Live so to be able to say that I am next in line to those people is just insane. I owe so many thanks to so many people who have been involved in supporting me to reach this stage of my career, too many to list right now, but rest assured that I will be speaking to each and every one of them individually to show how grateful I am."
Now, Jake needs a team to join him week in, week out... Express FM is very happy to reveal that Kirsty Roxanne and James Wilson, who had previously been involved with the show but on a sporadic basis, will form the new Pompey Live punditry team and will be occupying press boxes across the UK much more frequently.
"After listening to and engaging with the supporters, which will always be my top priority, having a strong team chemistry with my co-hosts is one of the most important mechanisms that will elevate the show to new heights and make it into the roaring success that I know it can be. My aim is to make Pompey Live great again as I see it as a bit of a sleeping giant - Having James and Kirsty alongside me at games will go such a long way in making that possible.
"These 2 are extremely professional and know exactly what they're talking about. Kirsty is a big character and has been following the Blues since she was 10 weeks old (seriously, I've heard the story so many times)! She has an impressive background working in radio and since first joining the Pompey Live team last April, has become so much more confident in her abilities and that in turn makes me confident that she is the right fit to work alongside me and James as part of the new team
"James' passion as a Pompey fan and background with working as assistant manager of the Portsmouth Women under Jay Sadler has proven to be a huge asset to the show and I intend on utilising that even more." - Jake concluded.
James Wilson told us: "Being a Pompey fan on a Pompey radio station has been great and I can't wait to carry on in the Championship."
Meanwhile Kirsty also expressed her delight in being recruited for the new season on a more permanent basis: "To be able to go on the radio and talk about the club that I love is an insane feeling. I'm so proud."
Long-serving Pompey Live contributors Henry Deacon and Matt Drabble will also remain working closely with the team and remain committed to provide their expertise throughout the season too. There will also be new voices coming on to the show and perhaps even a familiar face returning too... Keep your eyes peeled constantly across our social media channels for more news involving new and returning pundits.
Express FM Content Manager Harrison RB said: "It's not just Pompey's men and women who've been promoted! As a much-loved member of both the Express team and the Portsmouth fanbase, we're delighted with Jake's appointment and to have Kirsty and James also taking centre stage on Pompey Live this season.
"Things may change in football but it will always remain the case that without the fans, there is no game. News, interviews and professional analysis will continue to be an essential part of our revamped show which will also fulfil its primary objective, as the local radio station serving a sub-community of Pompey fans, to give you a voice."
Follow the Pompey Live new team on X - @PompeyOnExpress - @JakePompeySmith - @ScopesKirsty - @jwilson66 - @H_Deaconmedia - @DrabbleMatt
Formalities regarding the broadcast of Portsmouth Women matches, of which Express FM proudly covered 10 last season, are still being discussed and a separate announcement will follow at a later date. The new Barclays Championship season does not kick off until Sunday the 8th of September.
Express FM's new-look Pompey Live will be airing for the very first time from 11am on Saturday the 10th of August, when Portsmouth take on Leeds United at Elland Road for the club's first Championship fixture in over 12 years.
Kirsty Roxanne and James Wilson will join Jake in the press box up in West Yorkshire, where kick-off is 12:30pm.
