CLAIRE ROURKE: Studied broadcast journalism at University in Preston and always thought that she would specialise in sport somewhere down the line. As Claire graduated she was lucky enough to land a job with Real Madrid TV, so she moved to Spain to begin a new life as a sports presenter in Madrid.
Claire spent two years travelling the world with a massive football club and loved every minute of it—especially being there when Madrid won the league. Then, in 2007 Claire was given an opportunity to return to the UK with Liverpool Football Club, the team she has supported all her life, to be a senior presenter at LFC TV.
Claire has been a Liverpool fan all her life, and count myself incredibly fortunate to work for the club. Claire has had some unforgettable experiences, which as a supporter is amazing.
Claire “When times are a little more testing you can take things to heart because you are a fan but ultimately I think being a fan only makes me more determined to make the LFC TV success.”
Claire: Every matchday is different, and this season it has been even more varied, but for a typical home match, I will tend to have prepped the night before by looking through stats and going over my script.
I will arrive at Anfield a few hours before kick-off to go through technical rehearsals with the rest of the crew. My actual position is varied on match days. I’ll either be hosting the LFC TV live build up from our studio at the ground, or be in our pitch side position for live reports; both are great as we are so close to the atmosphere with the supporters as well as the team.
During the match I’m a fan as much as anyone but still have to make plenty of notes of various talking points and so on. Post-match I’ll again either be hosting our post-match phone-in show, or interviewing the manager and players in the tunnel. When I leave Anfield I find it very difficult to switch off, I’m not only replaying the match in my head, but also the live programming too. But nonetheless, if we’ve won I go home bouncing.
Every day is different. They say variety is the spice of life and we definitely have plenty of that here. I think it’s a great privilege to work for this football club and I have been afforded some great opportunities since I have been here.