There comes a time in every sportsperson’s career when retirement comes to tap them on the shoulder and the same applies to radio sports programs with 979fm’s Saturday afternoon sports show The Benchwarmers announcing that they will be hanging up the mic at the end of the current series. The final program will be aired on the 6th April 2013.
Announcing the decision on the March 16th program The Benchwarmers co-host Michael Clough said that “After 11-years, now is the right time to finish the program. It’s been a great program to be part of with plenty of laughs and arguments but for the crew, it’s time to focus on other things in our lives. On a personal level, other opportunities have presented themselves in recent months and I’d also like the chance to reclaim some of my Saturday afternoons back during the summer months and dedicate more time to those close to me.”
“I’ve really enjoyed the last 11 years, though like Michael I’m looking forward to having Saturday’s off for 6 months” says producer & host Lee-roy Stancliffe who’ll continue to panel BFL Game Of The Round. “Sport has changed a lot in that time. When we started Australia dominated at tennis, (men’s) cricket, and rugby union, now we’re average at the cricket and rugby, and below average at tennis! In this time we also saw our men’s soccer team twice qualify for the World Cup and the rise of soccer in Australia.
Stanciliffe concludes on a humours note “I am disappointed we’ve never been featured on ABC-TV’s Media Watch… though we’re still got three shows to go!”
The Benchwarmers made its debut in June 2002 as a Friday night program that was joint simulcast between 979fm and Bacchus Marsh based Apple FM. The program was devised by Lee-Roy Stancliffe who saw the need for a local sport focused program, something that had been missing from 979fm’s schedule since the end of Sports Of All Sorts, which had been hosted by current The Benchwarmers co-host and 979fm life member Leo “Tiger” Johnson. At that time Apple FM had just started broadcasting Ballarat Football League matches with Clough as lead game caller and Stancliffe saw this as an opening for the two stations to pool their resources in a joint-project. Thanks to The Benchwarmers and moreso in recent years, BFL Game Of The Round has seen the neighbouring 979fm and Apple FM work more closely with each other.
In 2006 The Benchwarmers moved to it’s now familiar Saturday afternoon slot running in compliment to BFL Game Of The Round.
While the current line-up of The Benchwarmers consists of Stancliffe, Clough, Johnson, (all original panel members) and the more recent addition of Barry Agg the make-up of the panel has always been fluid and has been in a constant state of change. So it is with that in mind The Benchwarmers would like to acknowledge & thank the contributions of the following past and/or semi-regular members of the program.
Sean Davies
Chris Hill
Jason Emgee
Sean Jenkinson
Bassem Abousaid
Michael Varty
Darren Moon
Ross Payne
Michael Nevinson
John Marsicovetere
Gordon Lockman
Johnny Soprano
The Benchwarmers would also like to extend a special thank you to two current contributors who have been there from the beginning, Len Baker and Stephen “Hutchy” Hutchinson. Baker, the host of 979fm’s multiple award winning Harness Review has lent his expert knowledge of harness racing to provide the listeners with his tips and views on that nights racing and Hutchy has been sharing his thoughts on the world of basketball and the spring racing carnival.
While The Benchwarmers will soon be missing from the airwaves, it won’t be the last you will hear from the members of the program. Stancliffe will continue hosting his award winning program Living in the Land of Oz and focusing on his primary passion of music. Clough will focus on his play-by-play commentary in the Australian Ice Hockey League, including being the lead commentator of the AIHL’s TV coverage on Fox Sports while both Agg and “The Tiger” (when health permits) will be heard on BFL Game Of The Round and Hutchy will continue to complain about the lack of Basketball on Network Ten to anyone who will listen.
An early line up of The Benchwarmers
Back (l-r): Leo “The Tiger” Johnson, Sean Davies, Leigh “Lee-Roy” Stancliffe, Chris Hill
Front (l-r): Michael Clough, Jason “Emgee” Morgan-Graham
John Marsicovetere, Tiger, Michael C and Lee-Roy with Father Bob Maguire
and former kickboxing champion Stan “The Man” Longinidis in 2011
