After 650 Derby County commentaries for BBC Radio Derby, the final whistle has blown on another season—and on an era. The match against Sheffield United marked not just the end of the campaign, but the last broadcast for a beloved colleague, Eric Steele, as he steps away from the microphone.

Eric and I have called hundreds of games together since he rejoined Radio Derby in 2018, starting with a Championship win at Hull City. From that first match, his deep knowledge of the game and his unbreakable bond with Derby County made him the perfect partner—especially for a commentator who sometimes gets a little too caught up in the moment.

We’ve weathered plenty of storms together. From the eerie silence of empty stadiums during the COVID-19 pandemic, calling matches from hospitality boxes at Pride Park while watching on monitors, to witnessing the dismantling of an established Championship club and then chronicling its slow, patient rebuild. Along the way, we also shared the highs: promotion celebrations against Carlisle at Pride Park and the relief of survival the following season.

It has been an honor to work alongside Eric—a man who was not just a safe pair of hands on the pitch during his playing days, but also in the commentary box. His broadcast experience always shone through, but so did his meticulous preparation, his deep understanding of the role, and his respect for the listeners.

The true measure of the man came in the outpouring of support following news of his retirement. Messages flooded in from fans, along with voice notes from players, coaches, and managers he’s worked with across the game. Even Sir Alex Ferguson—for whom Eric served as goalkeeping coach at Manchester United—took time to congratulate him on his success at BBC Radio Derby.

While I’m fortunate to be joined by former Rams Premier League striker Malcolm Christie and host Dominic Dietrich, there’s no escaping the fact that Eric leaves behind a vacancy—and a pair of gloves—that will be incredibly tough to fill. Here’s to a man who set the standard, on and off the pitch.