George Hodgson: It's been the greatest privilege covering Preston North End

Cliche alert but I was hooked on PNE from the moment I set foot in Deepdale. If you could bottle any feeling up in life, that would be up there. One vivid, early memory was an elderly lady on the row in front, turning around to smile and give a nod of approval to my Dad after I’d announced the changes Paul Simpson should make. Think I was seven. Football was everything and even then I loved reading and listening about it. Had you told that kid he’d follow the team home and away one day for work, his eyes would’ve been the widest in the world. I tried to never lose sight of that.

Once I’d set my mind on sports journalism, though, I never really considered North End reporting as a possibility. The LEP was the place for it and Dave Seddon the man for it. He became one of many great people I met in the industry, whose work I’d grown up consuming. BBC Radio Lancashire was always on at my Grandparents’ house when North End played away; in the car after home games while ambling through London Road traffic. Some of those voices I can now call friends, and they made stepping into a potentially daunting environment miles easier for me, straight out of University.

They say timing is everything and I was fortunate for LancsLive to launch when it did. Bamber Bridge FC had allowed me to gain priceless experience which I will always be hugely grateful for. I was excited and enthusiastic but as ready as I felt, nothing could prepare me for sitting in front of Alex Neil for the first time and the intensity behind those eyes. As I would discover, the Scot was just brilliant to interview. I couldn’t have asked for a better introduction and grounding than dealing with someone of his ilk. I never came across anyone who held a room in the same way.

You should never really get attached as a reporter but, while it had probably run its course, I was gutted when he left. As we learned from Tom Barkhuizen, a lot of players probably felt the same. The subsequent interview with Neil, two years on from his exit, is as happy as I’ve been with a piece of work. I was so glad his honesty, detail and passion shone through. Both he and Barkhuizen were first class with their time, effort and openness.

Journalism has changed an awful lot, even in the time I’ve covered the Lilywhites. But stepping into the role, I knew trust and respect were two crucial things to earn. From the fan base, by providing a voice for them and becoming as close to an expert as possible. But also from those at the club, through fairness and accuracy.

Striking that balance between the two, while managing relationships and upholding reputation, is the ultimate challenge. The latter can be perceived or labelled as a weakness but at local level - where you’re dealing with people every week, face to face - I think it’s the only way to go. And purely on a human level, I’m not sure why you’d do anything else.

Press conferences are interesting. In this day and age there are arguably far too many of them, though the Championship is nothing compared to the Premier League. Thankfully, North End’s felt worthwhile for the majority as club matters dominated the space, and the dynamic in the room leant itself to thoughtful discussion. I’m not sure they are Paul Heckingbottom’s favourite thing in the world but he, and Stuart McCall, have been very decent to deal with.

You’re there to probe, question and analyse but names on a team sheet and shirt are suddenly just people you’re having a conversation with, and when many are thoroughly decent and down to earth, like at Preston, the test is to remain objective. Stepping away from the press scene now, I’ll still take an interest in what staff and players have to say. Not every interview is groundbreaking but the accessibility can be a positive in terms of understanding and connection, I think.

As far as players go there are two who stand out from a media point of view, in addition to the aforementioned Barkhuizen. I always found Alan Browne an utterly engaging listen and thought there was unique weight behind his words - someone whose care for the club just felt so real. Without knowing the ins and outs of what went on, I didn’t think much of the way he was treated by the end and his departure never felt right. The other is Mads Frokjaer, whose personality made him a captivating and entertaining interviewee.

There was great pride upon moving to the Lancashire Post given it’s standing in the city and association with the club. A few theories about the LEP have flown around for a while, but I can honestly say I was never told to write anything by the club and the only rationale for reporting news was believing it to be true. That involved speaking to a range of people and finding things out for yourself.

If anything, I’d have welcomed the opportunity to provide more clarity given the volume of speculation over the course of a season. Everyone will have their own opinion on Peter Ridsdale’s interviews but hopefully, the mid-season and post-season chats with him offered some transparency and insight along the way.

I quickly appreciated the act of hitting publish; a fraction of what you hear gets printed to be honest. That has been quite frustrating in recent months with regards to the proposed takeover, but the second you start guessing I think you’re in bother. Whoever fills these shoes may well have a major story to cover soon, we shall see.

It has been an incredible experience and I’m so thankful it happened. There were a number of times I looked out at away ends from the press box and felt immense pride. It will be great to get back in there and I’m looking forward to watching games through a different lens now - it’s felt a lifetime since I was in my old seat in the Invincibles.

Nonetheless, I’ll look back on this period with enormous fondness and know there’ll be days I miss it dearly. We’ll keep chewing the fat on the podcast and I’ll definitely explore any media opportunities if they arise - co-commentating was a lot of fun, even if we did jinx PNE at Plymouth in that mental draw. Once again, just a massive thank you for all the support since early 2020... it’s been an honour.