Luton Town Football Club are delighted to reveal community radio station Diverse FM as the club’s new broadcast partners following a successful trial.
The Luton-based station broadcasted three live commentaries during the Hatters’ home friendly matches at Kenilworth Road against Swindon Town, Peterborough United and Manchester United in July.
A deluge of positive feedback from supporters following coverage from the three pre-season games more than exceeded expectation, with the station’s online streaming reaching full capacity of listeners on the Diverse FM website.
It means, starting with the Hatters’ first league match of the Blue Square Premier season at AFC Wimbledon on Saturday, supporters will get the chance to listen to live and uninterrupted commentary of every Town game home and away throughout the whole 2009/10 campaign.
The Diverse FM coverage will also replace BBC Three Counties Radio as our preferred supplier of commentary for Hatters Player and we hope to introduce exciting additions to the Hatters Player content working together with the station.
Commentary will be supplied by Hatters fan Simon “Statto” Pitts who has already clocked up 11 years covering the Hatters for Hospital radio after he had learned the ropes on University radio in Loughborough.
Simon, who also writes articles for the Town’s official programme and website, was thrilled with the opportunity to commentate on the club home and away.
He said: “To have been asked to join the Diverse FM team, and to provide the commentary for the forthcoming season, is a fantastic opportunity for me and I just can't wait for the season to start now.
“I hope that my style, and being a passionate fan of the club, will continue to be well received by the supporters.
“The response to the pre-season games was just truly amazing, and I couldn't believe the level of messages that were being sent to the radio station, on the WHOSH email group and on various other forums.
“I would like to thank all those people who have sent messages of support, and I look forward to commentating on a very successful season for both Luton Town Football Club and Diverse FM.”
With the station keen to establish links with the Hatters faithful, Diverse will hold regular fans’ forums – pre-recorded shows that will take place at a variety of locations around the town hosted by Diverse’s Barrie Thyer and Hatters fan and singer Jane Ledsom.
Diverse FM Chairman Mick Foster, who set-up the station back in 2000 was looking forward to strengthening links between the football club and community.
He said: “We have always had a close working relationship with the football club and this just goes to show how Diverse FM is truly at the heart of the community.
“We are thrilled to be given the opportunity by the club and hope to repay their faith in us by delivering a top-quality service to Luton fans in the local area and those around the world listening online – whether that be on our website or on Hatters Player.”
Hatters managing director Gary Sweet believes the partnership with the station will benefit all parties.
He said: “Linking up with a community radio station is something we have always wanted to do and now, happily, we have the chance to launch an exciting partnership to start what we hope will be a successful season.
“Diverse have proved over the summer, with their coverage of our home pre-season friendlies, that they can offer our supporters unrivalled coverage of the club.
“Diverse are unique in that they are a station run by Luton fans who, like us, share a passion for this wonderful club.
“I think supporters will agree when I say that passion comes across in the coverage – particularly in Simon’s commentary.”
You can tune into Diverse on 102.8 FM, online at www.diversefm.com and, starting Saturday via the official Luton Town website through Hatters Player.
Exclusive to Diverse FM!
Live football coverage right hear from all the luton town football matches this year!!!
Diverse FM’’s commentary is done by: Simon Pitts Pictured here on the right
AKA The Madd Hatter