Inside Sport

You see sportsmen retiring far too early these days in a lot of cases, but few managed to get out before I did - hanging my boots up on regular cricket at the age of 16. The reasoning was simple to me: I was rubbish!

The defining point came at Adlington in a Bolton Association game at under-18 level: stumps everywhere for a third straight single figure score.

So instead I plotted a course to talking all day about it instead only my family vetoed that and packed me off to university so I had to take up the mic!

In all seriousness, sports journalism has been my root-blood from early High School days and through university (in Leeds but shhh, don't tell anyone at Old Trafford) my tutors started to mould me into a football commentator and reporter.

Leeds United and Bradford City gave me the first taste on Clubcall and it developed to work as a producer on a dedicated radio show to Leeds United, listening to passionate fans drag out the "massive club" line with every trophyless season.

It's addictive and I carried on. After Uni, I decided to become a freelancer and have since commentated on Champions League matches for uefa.com, for whom I also present a European Football Podcast.

But cricket is the big love and the 2006 season is something I look forward to sharing with listeners of BBC Radio Lancashire. As a member at the club in my school and college years, I have a fair idea of supporter expectations and can see things from both sides of the fence in the coming season.

When it rains, I'll be wandering around to chat and if everyone goes home, I'll be found in the commentary box, more than likely reading a book on Soviet or Ukrainian history, sport or travel. I'm hoping to learn very little this summer. May the sun shine and the Championship arrive back in Lancashire...

More about Martyn...

What's your favourite night out in Lancashire?

I'm going to get hammered for this but Preston wins it by a long way. Nowhere in particular but just the atmosphere is brilliant when we're out with mates.

Who would you most like to get stuck at the top of Blackpool Tower with?

Maria Sharpova. Or my girlfriend Claire, if she's reading...

Favourite Lancashire food?

Lobby - as a Leigh lad I lived on nothing else until I learned to cook for myself at 15!

If you could get any player past or present to play at Old Trafford who would it be?

Sir Viv Richards. Saw the back end of his career on the television and the man was quite immense. His autobiography is superb as well and I'd just love to be able to watch him year in, year out with the Red Rose on the crest.

Most entertaining match you've commentated on?

Has to be in football this: Lyon against Werder Bremen in last year's Champions League. The quality was outstanding and Lyon won 7-2: both sides just forgot how to defend which, for the neutral, was quite fantastic!

Confess up - what do you wear to ward off the rain and cold at matches?

I'm amazingly boring I'm afraid but three pairs of socks at the start of the season is not unheard of. The woolly hat might even make an appearance at the first game of the County Championship campaign!