Fans launch Richardson 'MOTD2' petition

Fans of TV presenter James Richardson have launched a petition for him to take over Match Of The Day 2.

Richardson built up a cult following in the 1990s when he covered Italian football on Channel 4, hosting and producing Gazzetta Football Italia. He also currently presents the Guardian Football podcast.

His recent TV work includes co-presenting The Friday Football Show and Football Matters on Setanta Sports until the broadcaster ceased transmission in 2009.

Launched on the website Petitionspot, the list of names backing Richardson for the job has already reached 2,000. In a message on the site, a fan wrote: "His presenting style is an ideal match for the slightly more irreverent tone of MOTD2, and he's already a face well-known and loved by football fans across the country.

"After seeing his recent football show on Setanta go under due to no fault of his own, I think he deserves a break on a huge show and some well-earned wider public recognition as one of our top football presenters."

Earlier today, The Guardian claimed that 5 Live presenters Colin Murray and Mark 'Chappers' Chapman were the frontrunners to replace Adrian Chiles on the Sunday night football show.

Mark Pougatch, Something For The Weekend's Tim Lovejoy and Gabby Logan have also been linked to the vacant role for the 2010-2011 season.