Last updated 13:33, Wednesday, 27 August 2008

Steve Neale

A FORMER Barrow Rugby League player is settling in to his dream role as a television sports pundit.
Steve Neale, 40, of Kirkstall Close Barrow, has a regular slot on new Sky channel Sportsxchange, an information channel which offers betting advice on all sporting events.
The channel launched in July of this year and Mr Neale has been a regular on a three-hour long live broadcast Sportsxchange Live on a Thursday evening. Mr Neale was invited to audition for a spot on the show earlier this year, after a friend put his name forward.
After a successful audition, he was hired.
Mr Neale, a professional gambler, gives his advice to betters in general, but also focuses on upcoming rugby league games. So far, he is relishing his role.
He said: “I was brought in as the rugby league expert if you will, but I offer advice on everything really, what ever happens to be going on at the time. There is a bit of everything. As it is a betting channel we mainly focus on the odds of sporting events.”
Mr Neale is in the company of former West Ham footballer Alvin Martin and ex-Arsenal midfielder Stewart Robson on the channel. He said: “I seem to be the only novice there, but I have received very good feedback and they seem to like me. I am enjoying it so far. Being a bit of a gambler helps.”
Mr Neale is a keen supporter of Barrow RL. In the past, he has helped to fund the building of two hospitality boxes at Craven Park through organising poker nights and gambling deals.
Mr Neale also had a brief spell as a director at the club in 2006.