Simon Wilton

What's your name and where are you from?

I'm Simon Wilton. I'm originally from Bristol but now live in the North West in a town called Widnes which is where the famous Spike Island is!

How long have you been DJ'ing?

I've been DJing since about 1990. I and a good friend started an Indie night at a club in Bristol called 'Golds'. The club later changed to 'The Tube Club ' and then 'The Silent Peach'. We went on to run a Jazz Funk, Acid Jazz, and Hip Hop night there a few years later. I've DJ'd on and off since then playing different genres around the country even playing one of the backstage areas at the Glastonbury festival for a few years.

How long have you been presenting radio shows?

Been doing radio for a few years now. It all came about in lockdown when Proper Football's Gary Harris started doing live shows on Facebook. Gary came up with the idea to start a station and I came up with the name 'Awayday Radio '. We got a few others involved and launched the station shortly after. The station was a huge success but unfortunately, like a lot of things, there were disagreements behind the scenes about where the station was headed and about money being wasted. A few of us left including Gary and Dan and after a bit of time out we launched 'Proper Football Radio'.

What genres do you play?

Indie, House, Ska, Reggae, Northern Soul, Mod... pretty much everything 😂

What shows can we hear from you on Proper Football Radio?

'Terrace Culture Classics' on a Saturday at 1.00 PM playing Indie to House and Punk to Funk and 'The Get Back' on Mondays at 5.00 PM playing Northern Soul, Ska, Mod, 60's Beat, and Acid Jazz.

Favourite single/album of all time?

Too many to mention really but here are a few albums :

Live at Leeds - The Who

Expansions - Lonnie Liston Smith & The Cosmic Echoes

All Mod Cons - The Jam

Original Pirate Material - The Streets

The Stone Roses - The Stone Roses

Favourite band/artist of all time?

Too many to mention again but The Who & The Stone Roses.

Which team do you support?

Bristol Rovers

How did you start supporting them?

My Dad started taking me and my brother when my mum got a Saturday job. I was very young so I would say mid 70's. Not very many highs supporting the Gas but I wouldn't have it any other way.

Favourite all-time player?

Paul Randall. I remember my Dad calling me to the TV when the news broke he had signed for Stoke City in 1978. I was devastated! Paul resigned for us though a couple of years later making 184 appearances and scoring 62 goals!

Most memorable match?

Bristol Rovers 3 - 0 Bristol City

1990

Twerton Park in Bath.

Our last home game of the season and whoever won gained promotion. A magical night that will never be bettered in my opinion. Shitheads (City fans) trying to smash up the ground while we celebrated on the pitch!

Best away day?

Loads to be honest. Shrewsbury away in the late '80s. The game where the throwing of Weetabix started! First time I ever saw riot police on the terraces.

Cardiff was also always a good Awayday. Nothing like plotting up in a boozer early doors with a long day ahead 😉

Newport in about 1987 I think. First time I had been invited on to one of the Private coaches. A crazy day that was with the police officer in charge visiting our manager Gerry Francis and telling him to get his horrible fans out of Newport!

Recently Rochdale away last season was a corker. Losing 3-1 with barely 10 mins left to come back and win 4-3. Several pitch invasions and plenty of celebrating.