Ask Richard Keys

Richard Keys, of Sky Sports, is a non-executive director of Powerleague, he joined the team in December 2009. Richard has a huge amount of experience gained at the highest levels of Football and TV.

Would you like to ask Richard a question? Submit a question

About Richard

Richard Keys presenting on Sky TV
Richard Keys has presented more live football than any other broadcaster on British television, boasting an unprecedented figure now in excess of 2000 live games, dating back to the birth of Sky Sports and the first ever live game - Rangers vs Dundee United in April 1991.

The portfolio of matches has reflected the depth and diversity of live football on Sky Sports, including over 1000 games from the Premier League.

Richard joined Sky as one of three original presenters in April 1991 after a spell with BSB and eight years in terrestrial television with TV-am, C4 and the BBC. His career began in print journalism, at the Wolverhampton Chronicle followed by the famous Hayters Sports Agency in Fleet Street.

His move into television came with TV-am in 1983, following several years at Liverpool's City Radio and Manchester's Piccadilly Radio.

Aside from Premier League, Champions League and a rich portfolio of international and domestic competitions Richard was also host for more than 100 episodes of the long-running discussion show, the Footballers' Football Show, and co-hosted The Boot Room, with Andy Gray for the opening shows of the original series.

Away from football he has presented the 1997 Ryder Cup and his longest live period in front of the camera came in November '96 when, over 18 hours, he was host for England's World Cup match with Georgia followed by four world title fights in Judgement Night including Holyfield's first victory over Tyson.

Away from Sky Sports, Richard is a life-long Coventry City fanatic and lives with his family in Surrey.

Who do you think is favourite to win the World Cup? And what do you make of England’s chances?

Maxwell, Basingstoke

Favourites to win the World Cup? You can't look far beyond Spain this time. Brazil will always be there or there abouts...but don't rule out the Dutch. If England don't make the semi-finals at least then I think it will have been a poor campaign. Could they win it? Of course they could.

With the World Cup in sight, who is the best player to have graced the stage?

Daniel, Bolton

Best World Cup player of all time? For me that would have to be Pele...but then I'm of a generation that would immidiately say that. Ask Ruud Gullit, who I do a lot of work with at Sky Sports, and he would tell you Maradonna. I do know this...Messi could set the tournament alight this time around. It's time he did on the international stage. And keep an eye on Ronaldo!

How do you feel this World Cup in South Africa will rank among previous years?

Joe, Manchester

I think the World Cup in South Africa will be terrific. There's a lot of doom mongers out there who think differently, but it'l be a feast of football in my opinion.

Who are your players to watch during this World Cup?

Jake, London

Players to watch out for? I mentioned a couple already. What would be wonderful though is that people like Lampard,- Gerrard and Rooney, of course, have the rest of the world talking about them. We're due a good tournament. Conditions will suit us. Planning has gone well. Players are not exhausted by Champions League finals this time. It all looks good.

Where do you see the role of 5-a-side in the development of our National teams in the future?

Stephen, Cardiff

5-aside can be an important to us as footsol is in many other European countries. Look at the number of players from the southern european countries that have that wonderful touch with the ball at their feet. A great example is Deco. Watch how he always controls the ball with the bottom of his foot before moving it on. That comes from the footsol courts. Great touch. 5-aside here could be our answer. Anyone already playing knows what fun it is. It's also the modern day equivalent of street football. Some reading this will remember being able to play in the streets, or thrown coats down in the local park. That can't be done anymore. Sad, but true. The best place to play now is Powerleague. Sorry about he plug!!

Do you ever wish you had been playing in any of the games you have presented?

Reece, Glasgow

I wish I'd played in every game that I've presented!! I've lost count of the number of times Graeme Souness, who works with us these days, has looked out at a perfect pitch just before kick off and said 'I'd pay a million pounds for just one more game'. And he's had a career! But I know how he feels. Wouldn't we all have loved to had done what these guys do? Still dreaming!!

What has been your worst incident/mistake as a broadcaster?

Sam, Manchester

I don't think I've made too many mistakes - but asking Paul Merson if he's put his house on Ian Wright scoring one afternoon probably wasn't so clever! At the end of the game I also said 'we're all off the to pub' Paul said - 'I'm not'!!

Do you have a specific routine before or after a match broadcast?

Ayan, Slough

Our routine pre-match would always to be at the site of a game about 10.30 in the morning. I'd have read all the Sunday papers by then. We have a pretty good look at what's in the programme over the next couple of hours - then there's just time for a light bite! Before you can turn round we're on air about 1.00. After a match my only routine is to get home as quickly as possible!

Who is the best player that you have ever seen play in the Premier League?

Simon, Blackburn

I have seen so many good players in the PL - not easy to find an answer. I'll list a few...Zola, Cantona, Shearer, Giggs, Keane, Gullit, although he was past his best, but what a privilege to have seen him play. And lets not forget Rooney and Ronaldo. Drogba for power. Bergkamp, who was an artist. Torres and Gerrard. We could be here a long time. Right now though my favourite would have to be Paul Scholes> He's been so good for so long I think he just about shades it in every category.

Do you play football yourself and are you an 11 or 5 a side man?

Tom, Derby

I have always played football but as the years pass it gets tougher. Still, I occasionally get time. It's definitely 5 a side these days!