Well after 20 years almost to the day, I have done my final show for BBC Radio Manchester and what a different world we were in 20 years ago? Manchester had just hosted the wonderful Commonwealth Games and we were all buzzing.

Back in 2002 BBC Commonwealth Games Radio took to the airwaves to celebrate the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester. Recently a few of the staff got together at Media City for a catch-up. It was a truly joyous event.

On Monday the 7th of May 2018, Manchester Thunder entertained Loughborough Lightning at Belle Vue and what an event it was! The high-light was welcoming home England Netball Coach Tracey Neville to the game. She had just led her team to Gold at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games. It just had to be something special.

Saturday the 14th of April saw the new-look WBBL Betty Codona Trophy Final take place at the Ellesmere Port Sports Village. And what a wonderful event it was. Congratulations must go to the All Conquering Leicester Riders organisation for lifting yet another piece of silverware. The magnificent crowd were also able to celebrate the England Women winning Silver Medals at the Commonwealth Games in Australia.

On Saturday the 22nd of July 2017, the British Basketball world came together to say goodbye to one of the Legends of the British Game. Some weeks earlier, Drew Sullivan had announced his retirement from the BBL. Drew had won it all in the British game including Championships, MVPs, Trophies and Cups. Without doubt, one of his greatest moments was winning a Bronze medal in the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne. There is no doubt that when the ball goes up for the start of the next season, Drew Sullivan will be sorely missed. #thanksdrew

Part 2 of the story of my trip to the Commonwealth Games in Victoria Canada was first published years ago. However in the change to the new design of mikeshaft.com it would seem that it is just one of a number of pages ... lost in transition. Having found it now, I thought I would put it back at the top of the list.

Back in 2002 during the Commonwealth Games in Manchester, I got a phone call from the manager of BBC GMR (now BBC Radio Manchester) asking if I was available to present their Sunday Breakfast programme as holiday cover.

Well having attended the Commonwealth Games in Victoria, Canada, Melbourne, Australia and Manchester, I was overjoyed when Glasgow was announced as Hosts for the 2014 Games. I took the opportunity to visit the City and enjoy the wonderful atmosphere as a fan.

In 2013, the Leicester Riders were flying and looking as if they were going to have a clean sweep of all the BBL trophies. It was not to be as the Sheffield Sharks beat them in a thrilling BBL Trophy Final at the Commonwealth Games Arena in Glasgow.

Mike Shaft is back. Back to front BBC’s Commonwealth Games radio station BBC 2002 97.7FM... on air from Monday, March 4th 2002 onwards. Popular presenter Mike Shaft is back in town as the rise n’shine man on the the BBC’s dedicated Commonwealth Games radio station.