Welcome back to ‘Matchday DJ Of The Week’, where each week we interview a matchday DJ from the world of football, asking them 10 serious and not so serious questions.
This week we have the pleasure of chatting with Manchester United’s very own, Alan Keegan!
- Name: Alan Keegan
- Occupation: DJ & Announcer @ Manchester United
- Club Website: Manchester United
- Stadium: Old Trafford
- Capacity: 76,000
- Nickname: The Red Devils
- Twitter: Manchester United & Alan Keegan
Sport Playlists: When did you take over as Matchday DJ at Old Trafford?
Alan Keegan: I became the stadium announcer at Old Trafford in August 2000.
SP: How did you initially get into the role of Matchday DJ?
AK: I had worked as the stadium announcer at Maine Road (Manchester City) for a couple of seasons and the opportunity to become the announcer for the club (and team) I love and followed came up – I was in the right place at the right time!
SP: Can you remember your first football match/stadium experience?
AK: My first game as the Old Trafford announcer was Man United v Newcastle United on Sunday 20th August 2000 and the first goals that I announced were by Ronny Johnsen in the first half and Andrew Cole in the 2nd half in a 2-0 victory for Man United. It was the start of an amazing and life changing journey.
SP: Would you say your first experience of live football and the memories of that day were motivation for taking on the role of stadium DJ?
AK: My first experience of following and seeing United was when they were regulated and in the 2nd Division – it was beautiful football watching the team that Tommy Docherty had put together. I have great memories watching Gordon Hill and Steve Coppell running down the wing supplying Jimmy Greenhoff and Stuart Pearson – one of my favourite United teams! (Who will ever forget the 1977 FA Cup Final against Liverpool). It was the season where we gained promotion back into Division 1 and it certainly left an impression.
SP: In all your time at Utd, who’s the best player you’ve seen wear the famous red strip?
AK: There have been many players during my time as the stadium announcer at Old Trafford that are legends, but the two that stand out are Roy Keane and Cristiano Ronaldo. Keano for his never give up attitude and leadership qualities and the enigma that is Ronaldo. I have had the unique and special experience of announcing Ronaldo for both his debut’s Old Trafford.
SP: Who is your favourite artist/band of all time?
AK: I have a wide taste in music but when it comes to music associated with Man United it must be The Stone Roses.
The team come out to, “This Is The One” which is a real anthem at Old Trafford and Ian Brown the lead singer is a big United fan. When it is played at Old Trafford the stadium know that the teams are in the tunnel ready to make their “gladiatorial entrance”.
SP: Which piece of music do you think is the ultimate track for motivating a footballing side?
AK: I think I’ll have to say ‘This Is The One’ again, it just creates goosebumps when the players walk out.
SP: Do you have an all-time favourite track that you play at the Utd?
AK: No hesitation in saying ‘The Stone Roses’ for a third time. Just the perfect walk-out/pre-match tune in my opinion.
SP: What are the main songs you use week in, week out at the ground?
AK: We regularly play some of the new music which Shoot Music send to us on a regular basis and where possible a new or latest track by a Manchester band at halftime
SP: On a final note, are there any funny mishaps/cock-ups that have taken place that come to mind when you think about your career so far?
AK: There have a been a few mishaps on the microphone at Old Trafford but the one that comes to mind is when Diego Forlan scored for United in open play after waiting for 21 games and during the mayhem (and mistaken identity) that followed the goal celebration, I announced to 75,000 people that the goal scorer was No. 7 David Beckham. I had a shocker that day and did apologise to Diego afterwards.
We’d like to say a huge thank you to Alan for taking the time to talk to us. We wish him and all of The Red Devils’ players, staff and supporters the very best for the rest of the 2021/22 season!
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