Matt Henno (@MattyHenno)

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Matt Henno@MattyHenno · 22 h

Beautifully written piece

TTides of History@labour_history · Jul 27

“Before it was consigned to obscurity from Fleet Street or regional tokenism via a red button, it stood tall in the national schedule. Wembley was full. The BBC cameras were rolling. The voice was Ray French” @MattyHenno mattyhenno.shorthandstories.com/the-last-voice…

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Mike Meehall Wood@MikeMeehallWood · 23 h

Great stuff here, not just on Ray French but using his life in rugby league to describe the ineffable BBCness of it all. "They were not summoned. They were simply on." mattyhenno.shorthandstories.com/the-last-voice…

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Matt Henno@MattyHenno · 19 h

Great tribute to Ray French & a smashing observation about how our relationship to sport on TV has changed - largely due to how it is consumed now. It's easy to play on nostalgia, but as far as sport is concerned, the fracturing of the collective experience is central to that.

TTides of History@labour_history · Jul 27

“Before it was consigned to obscurity from Fleet Street or regional tokenism via a red button, it stood tall in the national schedule. Wembley was full. The BBC cameras were rolling. The voice was Ray French” @MattyHenno mattyhenno.shorthandstories.com/the-last-voice…

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Matt Henno@MattyHenno · 24 h

"#RayFrench was part of the mantelpiece. Part of the trusted clutter of British sport. Not performative. Not replaceable. Just reliably, comfortingly there." Lovely, beautifully-crafted tribute to #RayFrenchRIP

TTides of History@labour_history · Jul 27

“Before it was consigned to obscurity from Fleet Street or regional tokenism via a red button, it stood tall in the national schedule. Wembley was full. The BBC cameras were rolling. The voice was Ray French” @MattyHenno mattyhenno.shorthandstories.com/the-last-voice…

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Matt Henno@MattyHenno · Jul 26

“Ray French did not belong in a thumbnail. He was part of the mantelpiece. Part of the trusted clutter of British sport. He was ready when it truly mattered to turn a fleeting act into something unforgettable. Like he did with @JiffyRugby’s Wembley try” mattyhenno.shorthandstories.com/the-last-voice…

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Tides of History@labour_history · Jul 27

“Before it was consigned to obscurity from Fleet Street or regional tokenism via a red button, it stood tall in the national schedule. Wembley was full. The BBC cameras were rolling. The voice was Ray French” @MattyHenno mattyhenno.shorthandstories.com/the-last-voice…

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Matt Henno@MattyHenno · Jul 27

"Ray French didn’t just commentate on rugby league. He dignified it. Not with pomp or pretence, but with a tone that matched the game’s virtues: honest, hard, unvarnished, and deeply human." The Last Voice in the Living Room: Remembering Ray French mattyhenno.shorthandstories.com/the-last-voice…

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Matt Henno@MattyHenno · Jul 25

Modern football in a single image: a fanbase clings to a nation-state’s investment fund like it’s a lifeline. The sport is no longer about clubs or communities - just power, PR, and petrostate image laundering. And we’re supposed to cheer. Everyone loses in this.

LLuke Edwards@LukeEdwardsTele · Jul 25

The message from PIF remains a clear and defiant one. Alexander Isak is not for sale #nufc

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Matt Henno@MattyHenno · Jul 25

mattyhenno.shorthandstories.com/winning-nothin…

WWarrington Wolves@WarringtonRLFC · Jul 25

Thank you, Vaughany 👏 We can confirm that Paul Vaughan will leave the Wire when his contract expires at the end of the season to join York Knights. The Club is actively recruiting to strengthen our pack for next season. 🔗 bit.ly/45l39Cj

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Matt Henno@MattyHenno · Jul 24

“And when the Lions need steel again - not sparkle, not slogans, but substance - will they call on him? “I would. I’ve seen how this ends before. And history tends to favour the men who didn’t wait for applause to earn their legacy.” Read More: mattyhenno.shorthandstories.com/the-farrell-pa…

BBritish & Irish Lions@lionsofficial · Jul 23

All eyes on Saturday! 👀🦁 #Lions2025

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Matt Henno@MattyHenno · Jul 23

Bienvenue au Palindrome Metronome™️

LLiverpool FC@LFC · Jul 23

We have reached an agreement for the transfer of Eintracht Frankfurt forward Hugo Ekitike, subject to international clearance 😎

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Matt Henno@MattyHenno · Jul 23

Blown away by the response to my latest pieces on @Shorthand & @SubstackInc 1000s of readers, tons of engagement. Thanks to everyone who’s checked them out. If you’re into the soul of sport, and the struggle in-between, do give me a follow/subscribe 🔗 substack.com/@mattyhenno?r=…

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#RugbySaracens@RugbySaracens · Jul 22

📝 “In almost any other rugby culture, Farrell would be revered. In England, he’s almost resented.” @MattyHenno, former media man at Saracens, unpacks the paradox of Owen Farrell in this superb must-read piece: 🔗 mattyhenno.shorthandstories.com/the-farrell-pa… #SarriesFamily #Lions2025 #Farrell 🐐

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Rugby on TNT Sports@rugbyontnt · Jul 22

Ronan O'Gara had nothing but praise for Owen Farrell's performance against the First Nations & Pasifika XV 👏

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