A NORTH-East football fan has urged the BBC to rethink possible plans to cut back on radio commentaries, declaring them ‘a lifeline’ for some supporters.

Rob Nichols, editor of Middlesbrough Football Club fanzine Fly to the Moon, has said any cuts to local BBC sports commentaries would be deeply disheartening - especially when many people were using football to keep their spirits up in a tough economic climate.

Dozens of BBC jobs look set to be axed as bosses have unveiled cuts worth £670m nationally. The organisation is facing a television licence freeze and new funding responsibilities from the Government.

The proposals will also involve changes to local news and current affairs coverage.

In the North-East, 27 jobs are expected to be lost at radio stations, BBC Tees and BBC Newcastle, while another four positions will be cut in current affairs.

Staff at Radio York are among those who will be affected by 29 expected job cuts across Yorkshire.

A BBC spokeswoman said some football commentary rights may be lost and coverage of other sports could be diminished or lost.

Mr Nichols said that would have a massive impact on followers of sport at all levels.

“There’s all sorts of things that should never be touched, that keep people together and their spirits up, and this is one of them.” said Mr Nichols.

“It’s kind of a lifeline for many people. It keeps them in touch with a local club. Not just clubs like Middlesbrough, but grassroots sport as well. This will be a massive blow to everyone involved in football and sport in general.

“I always think we’re really privileged here that we’ve got really good local papers and radio. So that even if you live in quite a small town you can shout out to a lot of people.

“It’s all at a time when there’s massive cuts everywhere - people’s jobs are going. Listening to local radio or local football is an outlet. People like to turn on the radio and follow their team.”

Under the proposals, on weekday afternoons most stations will share programming with their neighbouring stations.

In the North-East, BBC Newcastle and BBC Tees will join together. BBC York, which covers the whole of North Yorkshire, will be expected to share with Radio Sheffield and Radio Leeds.

On weekday evenings programming would be shared nationally, except for local sports commentaries.

A spokesman for the BBC said they would be consulting with staff and the public over the proposals.