Geoffrey Twentyman (born 10 March 1959)[3] is an English former professional footballer, who later became the main sports presenter for BBC Radio Bristol and BBC Radio Somerset.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Geoffrey Twentyman[1] | ||
| Date of birth | 10 March 1959[1] | ||
| Place of birth | Liverpool,[1] England | ||
| Height | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)[2] | ||
| Position(s) | Defender | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Liverpool | |||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| Formby | |||
| –1983 | Chorley | ||
| 1983–1986 | Preston North End | 98 | (4) |
| 1986–1993 | Bristol Rovers | 252 | (6) |
| 1993 | Yate Town | ||
| 1993 | Linfield | ||
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
The son of former Liverpool player Geoff Twentyman, Geoff Jr. began his career as a trainee at his father's club, but after failing to make the grade there he played for Formby before being sold on to Chorley[4] for around £1,000 and from there to Preston North End.[5] After making 98 league appearances for Preston, scoring four goals, he was released by the Lancashire club,[4] and was signed by Bristol Rovers. He was taken to Rovers by Bobby Gould, and was later managed by Gerry Francis, playing a total of 252 league games, scoring six goals, and made a Wembley appearance in the final of the Associate Members' Cup in 1990. Twentyman began coaching youth football with Brimsham Green F.C. in Yate shortly after moving to Bristol, and is now the club's honorary president.[4]
When Francis left Rovers in 1991, Twentyman applied for the vacant manager's job, but was not appointed.[3]
After the end of his playing career he studied at Bristol Polytechnic and then joined Radio Bristol as a sports journalist. In 1993, he became the sports editor of Radio Bristol.[5]
When Ian Holloway became the manager of Bristol Rovers in 1996, Twentyman joined him as assistant manager. The job was not to his liking and he returned to his previous job in 1997.[5]
On 22 June 2008, he played for Bristol Rovers in the inaugural Western Masters, where the team finished third of the four teams competing.[6]
In late 2015, it was announced that Twentyman would leave the Drivetime show he had been presenting on Radio Bristol and instead present a nightly sports show every weekday between 6-7pm, in addition to his presenting duties on Saturday Sport.[7]
On 11 April 2023, it was announced that Twentyman would be leaving the BBC after three decades. His last programme was aired on 22 May 2023.[citation needed]
References
edit- ^ a b c "Geoff Twentyman Jr". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 8 July 2020.
- ^ Dunk, Peter, ed. (1987). Rothmans Football Yearbook 1987–88. London: Queen Anne Press. p. 94. ISBN 978-0-356-14354-5.
- ^ a b Jay, Mike; Byrne, Stephen (1994). Pirates in Profile: A Who's Who of Bristol Rovers Players. Bristol: Potten, Baber & Murray. p. 274. ISBN 0-9524835-0-5.
- ^ a b c "Committee members". Brimsham Green FC. Archived from the original on 21 February 2009. Retrieved 5 September 2008.
- ^ a b c "Geoff Twentyman". BBC Radio Bristol. Retrieved 12 August 2007.
- ^ "Screwfix Western Masters 2008". mastersfootball.com. 23 June 2008. Archived from the original on 29 August 2008. Retrieved 23 June 2008.
- ^ "New schedule for BBC Radio Bristol in 2016". 7 December 2015.