From athletics on beIN Sports to poker on Sky Sports, Lynsey Hipgrave really has covered it all during her long career in sports broadcasting. This weekend the diehard Newcastle United fan steps into arguably the biggest role in footballing broadcasting as she spearheads BT Sport's Premier League coverage this season, starting with Fulham vs Liverpool at Craven Cottage.
Taking the reins from esteemed colleague Jake Humphrey, Hipgrave has certainly put the hours in to get to this position. Working for the likes of Setanta Sports, ESPN, Channel 5, ITV and the BBC over the years, she has honed her craft by covering European and domestic competitions, international tournaments and of course, the Premier League.
Hipgrave has also been at BT Sport since the inception of the channel almost 10 years ago, playing a big part in ensuring it didn't fall by the wayside like so many competitors before them. From covering WTA tennis on the first night in 2013, to her brand new role at the forefront of the operation, it's been an incredible journey for the Geordie.
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"It's so nice that the news is finally out because I've known for quite a while! I actually found out on the day of the Champions League final when I was in Paris with BT which was really nice," she told ChronicleLive. "They told me when I was out there which I thought was a really nice touch and of course, I was absolutely buzzing.
"I've been at BT Sport since the very first day it launched which was all the way back in 2013. I've done so many different and brilliant things there and worked on amazing stuff such as the Champions League and the Europa League but to be able to lead the Premier League coverage every single week and do that consistently is just brilliant. I could not be happier.
"BT have always tried to do things their own way and they've been so committed to making it work by putting a brilliant team together. Getting the Champions League right was such a huge turning point and and showed everyone that BT wasn't going anywhere."
Of course, Hipgrave's main focus will be on the TV cameras placed in front of her but she will also have more than a keen eye on how her beloved Newcastle United are getting on this season. The Magpies are heading into a new campaign full of hope, for a change, after a strong end to last season and some exciting additions in the transfer market.
Last year the mood was one of total apathy as Mike Ashley made no attempts to disguise his disinterest in the north east outfit, allowing Steve Bruce to remain in charge despite a woeful start to the season and an unfixable rift with supporters. Eddie Howe's appointment eventually brought about change but Hipgrave felt all hope of staying in the top flight was gone after the poor performances in 2021.
"It's night and day from last summer when nothing was happening and Joe Willock on a permanent was about all fans had to get excited about," Hipgrave continued. "It was the same old feeling of 'are we going to scrape survival?' and that was all you had to look forward to.
"I thought we were done for last season, I thought we were absolutely down. As much as I rated Howe and was pleased with the appointment, I just thought it was too much to ask to keep us up. I think I'd finished my Christmas shopping by the time we got our first win last season!
"I said to my dad at the time that Newcastle were going to have to play at top four level to have any chance [of staying up]. I just thought there was no chance even Howe, in that short amount of time, could turn it around. It's remarkable the job Eddie has done. I'm so happy with him. It's just so lovely going into the season with some optimism for a change. It's very, very weird but it's a beautiful thing and I could definitely get used it."
Saturday's Premier League opener with Nottingham Forest will see a packed St. James' Park brimming with excitement over what lies in store in the coming months. Howe admitted this week he would love the chance to win silverware this term, while supporters are in relative agreement that a European push could be on the cards.
Hipgrave agrees with her fellow supporters, admitting that avoiding a quick cup exit and trying to become the 'best of the rest' would represent an ideal season. She is also quick to defend Newcastle fans who at times are criticised for their apparent 'unrealistic' targets for the football club.
"I would love a top-seven finish. Seventh place would make me very, very happy," Hipgrave adds. "Europa Conference League ideally, just to get us used to being back in Europe at the right level. Let's not run before we can walk.
"Seventh would be absolutely fantastic but I think it just has to be higher than 11th doesn't it? With a bit of a cup run, we don't want anymore Cambridge United incidents. And actually just to start the season really well and not be waiting for that first win. Just to start the season as we finished last.
"As long as there is progress everyone will be fine. The perception that Newcastle United fans expect Champions League football and big money signings is just so wrong. People are just happy for it to be this gradual project. I'm sure there is the odd one who thinks we can get into Champions League but the vast majority just want to keep the positivity going around the club for as long as possible."
The mood around Newcastle has significantly changed since the £300m takeover last October and plenty of supporters have compared it to the good old days under Kevin Keegan and Sir Bobby Robson in years gone by. Hipgrave was a regular on the terraces of St. James' Park back in those days and says recent games at St. James' Park have felt increasingly similar to those during the 'Entertainers' era.
"It has felt like going back to the old days. That atmosphere in the ground during the Arsenal game, that buzz is what I remember from being a kid. It's not even the ground, it's the entire city on matchday. Because the whole city just feeds the atmosphere at the club so I just love that it is back," Hipgrave added.
"The connection between the fans and players, Eddie Howe has been a big part of that. People aren't just sitting in their seats heads in hands and watching on with miserable faces, expecting nothing. It was just apathy at one point, just plodding along. The whole city has got that buzz back and we really missed it.
"My first trip back to St. James' Park with BT isn't in the diary yet but I've got Newcastle vs Liverpool coming up at Anfield. So I'm not sure the next time I'll be up there but I can't wait to see how they get on in that one. That's another target for the season, to actually compete properly in every game. To actually have a go and make it very difficult for them. But I've got faith this season because with that backline, we're massive now and really physical. I don't think anyone is going to enjoying playing us."
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