FA Cup Radio and Audio Live: Who’s Commentating on Rotherham United v Swindon Town This Weekend (1 Nov 2025)?

The FA Cup’s first round proper brings together EFL professionals and ambitious non-league sides, and this year’s draw has thrown up an intriguing tie as Rotherham United host Swindon Town at AESSEAL New York Stadium on Saturday, 1 November 2025, kick-off 15:00[1][3]. While the biggest broadcasters like the BBC and ITV typically save their TV cameras for later rounds, the magic of the Cup means every match still gets attention. For fans not attending, live radio and audio commentary remains the lifeblood—and this year, several BBC services are on the case, with familiar local voices leading coverage.

How to Follow Rotherham v Swindon in the FA Cup

English football’s earliest rounds are a patchwork of local pride and national dreams, and this is reflected in the coverage. This season, both sets of supporters have a range of options to follow the action in real time:

• BBC Radio Sheffield: This is the go-to for Rotherham fans, with Rob Staton reporting from the ground. Staton has built a reputation as a trusted voice on South Yorkshire football, covering both Sheffield Wednesday and Sheffield United, as well as Rotherham, for years. His experience across the region’s football landscape brings depth to his matchday reporting.
• BBC Radio Wiltshire: For Swindon supporters, or anyone wanting the away perspective, Shaun Hodgetts presents what promises to be lively coverage. Hodgetts is a veteran of BBC local radio, with a CV that spans news, sport, and even breakfast shows. His familiarity with Swindon Town and the surrounding area’s football scene ensures a passionate, knowledgeable broadcast. He is joined in the commentary box by Andrew Hawes (main commentator) and Rob Hartley (co-commentator), both of whom are well known to Swindon fans for their detailed analysis and match insight.
• BBC Sounds App & BBC Sport Online (Audio): For those on the move or without a traditional radio, both BBC Sounds and BBC Sport Online will stream the full match commentary, with the same team as BBC Radio Wiltshire—Shaun Hodgetts presenting, Andrew Hawes commentating, and Rob Hartley providing expert co-commentary.

Meet the Voices of the Cup

Local radio is the heartbeat of early-round FA Cup ties, and the team assembled for Rotherham v Swindon is a fine example of the BBC’s commitment to grassroots football coverage.

Rob Staton is the reporter for BBC Radio Sheffield. With a career spanning over a decade in the area, Staton has reported on Sheffield football’s highs and lows, including the Steel City derby, Rotherham’s promotions and relegations, and the region’s non-league scene. His nuanced understanding of South Yorkshire football means listeners get context and colour beyond the mainstream.

Shaun Hodgetts is the presenter on BBC Radio Wiltshire, the BBC Sounds app, and BBC Sport Online. Hodgetts has reported on Swindon Town for many years, including their dramatic play-off campaigns and cup runs. His background in both sports journalism and news broadcasting brings authority and warmth to his presentation. As the voice linking the studio and the stadium, Hodgetts sets the tone for what’s always a special occasion in the FA Cup calendar.

Andrew Hawes is the main commentator for the Wiltshire broadcast. With a background in sports broadcasting across the Midlands and South West, Hawes is known for his clear, engaging delivery and ability to capture the drama of the moment. His partnership with co-commentator Rob Hartley is one of the most trusted in local football coverage, giving fans both the excitement and the tactical insight they crave.

Rob Hartley, co-commentator, is a former player and coach, giving him a unique perspective on the game. Hartley’s analysis often goes beyond the usual clichés, with a focus on player development, strategies, and the human stories behind the teams.

The Importance of Local Coverage in the FA Cup

The FA Cup’s magic is its ability to level the playing field, and the coverage does the same. While Premier League clubs dominate television schedules, it’s the local radio crews, presenters, and commentators who often tell the stories that matter most to the communities involved. BBC Radio Sheffield and BBC Radio Wiltshire, along with their digital platforms, ensure that fans who can’t travel to Rotherham or those who want the nuance of local insight have a place to go.

No other competition in world football offers the sheer variety of voices, clubs, and stories as the English FA Cup. From the broadcasters’ perspective, the first round is as much about community participation as it is about the result. The commentators and presenters’ deep knowledge of their clubs and regions helps listeners feel closer to the action, even if they’re thousands of miles away.

TV Rights and the Broader Media Landscape

With the BBC, ITV, Sky Sports, and TNT Sports all sharing rights to later FA Cup rounds, the early stages are left almost exclusively to local radio and online audio. This creates a unique atmosphere, where the narrative is shaped not by big-name pundits but by journalists and commentators who live and breathe the clubs’ stories week in, week out. The lack of television cameras for this fixture is a reminder of how the FA Cup is still a competition for all, not just the top tiers.

However, both Rotherham and Swindon have had their moments on the national stage, with past televised cup ties and memorable runs. The hope is always that a deep run in the Cup can attract attention from the major broadcasters, but for now, the focus is firmly on the local voices that make the competition so special.

Previous Encounters and What to Expect

Historically, matches between Rotherham United and Swindon Town have been tightly contested, with both sides enjoying victories[2]. The last clash in the league saw Rotherham United edge Swindon Town 2-1 at the County Ground in 2014[2]. However, before that, Swindon dominated Rotherham 4-0 at the New York Stadium in 2013[2]. With both clubs currently in League One and the National League respectively, the FA Cup offers a chance for Swindon to cause an upset on a higher-division side.

Expectations are high for an entertaining match, with the added spice of a potential “cupset” always looming in the background. The FA Cup first round is famous for giant killings, and Swindon will be eager to follow in the footsteps of other lower-league clubs who have gone far in the competition.

Conclusion

The FA Cup first round may not command the same TV attention as later stages, but the passion, expertise, and authenticity of local radio commentary is something that can’t be replicated. Whether you’re following via BBC Radio Sheffield with Rob Staton, BBC Radio Wiltshire with Shaun Hodgetts, Andrew Hawes, and Rob Hartley, or through the BBC Sounds app and BBC Sport Online, you’re guaranteed a broadcast that cares about the clubs, the competition, and the community.

For this weekend’s Rotherham United v Swindon Town tie, the stage is set—not for the cameras, but for the voices who have made the magic of the Cup part of English football’s enduring appeal.