About Us
In April '20, Matthew Turner set up the 'Roar of the Lions UK' blog, aiming to provide a fresh perspective on the Detroit Lions from across the pond. A couple of months later, he was joined by Aaron, Antony, Martin and Ryan F as ROTL expanded into a podcast as well as the blog. The lads completed their first season as ROTL and subsequently added Ryan M as a blog writer, and Steve as a podcast co-host.
ROTL is BY Lions fans, FOR Lions fans. We aim to support Lions fans here in the UK and across the globe, flying the flag of the One Pride World Wide community as high as we can.
Matthew Turner
Bristol
Founder, Host & Blog Writer
Matt originally started Roar of the Lions UK as a blog just before the 2020 NFL Draft. Since then he was joined by the rest of the crew for the Podcast.
Matt is also an accountant who supports Liverpool FC and lives in Bristol. He started supporting the Lions in 2009 since they had the number 1 pick in the draft.
Aaron Fletcher
Manchester
Podcast Co-Host, Blog Writer, Podcast Editor
Aaron has been a Lions fan since 2014. Drawn to the city of Detroit for its music and culture, the Lions naturally followed. Aaron also owns his own recording studio, has a passion for supporting his local community as well as being a die-hard Manchester City fan.
Antony Fitzpatrick
Chesterfield
Podcast Co-Host, Blog Writer
Antony has supported the Lions since 2015.
"It's just the way of it, son. We all sell our souls sooner or later" - John Constantine
What Antony did not realise when selling his soul to the Lions is that it would start a long and bitter war between the positive power of the Honolulu Blue Kool Aid and the crushing reality of constantly drafting in the top 10. Some say only a Superbowl win will be able to help achieve inner peace once more.
Steve Collins
West Lothian
Regular Podcast Guest
Steve lives near Edinburgh and is seasoned enough to remember the Barry Sanders era but not old enough to have forgotten the trauma of the Jim Bob Cooter years.
He is a feature writer and regular columnist covering the NFC North for the website NFL Scotland, and you can read his articles here. Self-described table tennis maestro.
His claim to fame is that he has seen the Lions win a game at Ford Field in the flesh - a rare sight in the last few years!
Ryan Fardon
London
Podcast Co-Host
Ryan has followed the Lions since 2007, watching them 11 times, including 3 wins in a row at Ford Field.
He started a group on Facebook called Detroit Lions Fans UK One Pride World Wide.
Ryan owns a corporate hospitality company, and is an Arsenal FC season ticket holder.
Martin Birrell
Manchester
Podcast Co-Host
Martin originally became a Detroit sports fan having worked in Michigan during the summers of 2001-2003. He took a greater interest in the Lions following their 2014 season trip to London.
Martin is a vice-principal at a secondary school in Manchester and splits his love of the Lions with both Manchester United in football and Widnes Vikings in Rugby League.
Martin joined the ROTL podcast at the start and is the elder statesman of the group.
Ryan McCluskey
Bradford
Blog Writer and Regular Podcast Guest
Ryan has supported the Lions for nearly 10 years and plays Football himself. He started at university and now plays at a national level.