Welcome back to another TTTONLF meets and this time we are sitting down with someone who has experienced a bundle in a relatively short space of time in his sports career. Freddie is someone who has a real passion for football media and has taken that passion and applied it to his football commentary, a job he carries out for his Non-League football team – Horsham FC, lets get stuck in to the questions!
Name – Freddie Humphry-Wakefield
Age – 22
Favourite team – Norwich City
Occupation – Football Commentator
Thing I love about football – It’s Unpredictability
Football Pet hate – Fans bringing signs asking for player shirts
What was your childhood like in terms of football?
Much like it is now—completely obsessed. I grew up in a house that wasn’t football-crazy, but I was hooked from my first match at age five or six. Every weekend was about playing or watching football. Got my first shirt at five, and I’ve loved the game ever since.
Did you dream of becoming a footballer?
Absolutely. Like every kid, I wanted to be a pro. But I realized by about 10 that I wasn’t good enough—I wasn’t in an academy or anything. I’m glad I’ve found a way to still work in the sport.
You studied sports journalism at uni. What was that like?
I really enjoyed it—especially the sports-specific parts. We had field trips to non-league games like Whitehawk and Eastbourne United. Some modules were shared with general journalism, like court reporting and shorthand, which didn’t feel relevant. But the course taught me a lot, especially how to write professionally about sport. Our dissertation was done as a feature article, which was great practice.
Did the course lead you toward media work in football?
Definitely. Before uni, I didn’t know what I wanted to do. A friend, Benji, introduced me to the media team at Horsham. That started everything. I’m really grateful.
Was working with a non-league club always the goal?
No, it was just the natural path. Higher-level clubs are hard to break into. Non-league gave me access, and it’s been an amazing experience—far more competitive than people think.
What does your current role at Horsham involve?
I’m the club commentator. On matchdays, I provide live commentary for fans online. I dedicate one day to research and one day to commentary. It’s just two days a week, but they’re my favourite.
Do you have a “commentator voice”?
Absolutely. I enunciate more clearly than I do in everyday conversation. Most commentators do—even if they don’t admit it.
How much prep do you do before matches?
A lot. I think the commentator should know more than anyone else in the ground—except the coaching staff. I gather stats, previous results, player info—even details I might never use. It’s about being ready for anything.
Any go-to tools for research?
I use club websites, Football Web Pages, and Transfermarkt. The latter is surprisingly good for non-league. Some club sites lack detail, so you have to dig.
Any commentary tips you’ve learned or adopted?
Paint a picture. That’s the biggest one. Be descriptive. Say who has the ball, where it is, what the score is, and how much time has passed. Robin Othman from the BBC once told me to be “right, tight, and bright.” That’s stuck with me.
Do you still get nervous on matchdays?
Not as much anymore. At first, I was terrified. But after two years, I’m more comfortable. Big games still bring nerves, especially cup ties, but I feel more confident now.
What’s been the hardest name to pronounce?
Ola Ogunwamide. He plays for Horsham. When he first joined, everyone passed him the ball constantly. I had to say his name every few seconds!
What’s been the most surreal experience in the role?
Commentating on Horsham’s FA Cup match at Chesterfield or their Cup Finals at the Amex. The Amex was surreal—commentating in a Premier League stadium. Chesterfield was probably the top moment. We were possibly the only free-to-listen commentary for an FA Cup tie nationwide. That’s special.
What feedback have you received?
The biggest feedback is to be descriptive. I also got great early feedback—someone said I sounded like I’d been doing it for years. That meant the world to me. It encouraged me to keep going.
Do you listen back to your commentaries?
Rarely. I should, but I don’t really do it often.
Horsham had quite a season. How excited are you for the next one?
Very excited. Two years ago, I barely knew Horsham existed. Now I’ve been part of two of their best-ever seasons. But I know it’ll be tougher this year. Staying up will be a challenge.
Which player are you most excited to watch this season?
Leone Gravata. He’s on loan from York City. Only played about 30 minutes so far, but looked really sharp. I am really excited to see what he brings.
Where can people listen to your commentary?
On Radio LARD via Mixlr. We post a link on matchdays. Or just Google “Radio LARD Mixlr”—it’s the first result.
X – @FHWakefield02
Instagram – @freddie.hw_
Thank you to Freddie for his time and also a huge well done for all of the success he has had thus far, it is clear to see he is doing a smashing job at Horsham and really applying what he has learnt and is eager to continue to learn to improve all the time.
I wish him all the best for the future and I have a feeling that should this be a path Freddie wishes to continue down them who knows where he will end up – Freddie…just remember me when you are famous!
Until next time guys!
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