APPOINTMENTS: George announces his career success; My First Step To Success Michelle Rushton meets GEORGE SEPHTON, senior IT operations analyst and LFC stadium announcer.

Byline: Michelle Rushton

GEORGE SEPHTON is a man with two lives!

As a senior IT operations analyst with Liverpool-based bakers Sayers/ Hampsons, George keeps the company's mainframe ticking over.

But as the stadium announcer at Anfield, George is the distinctive match day voice of Liverpool Football Club.

If you can sum up George's career philosophy it would be: 'Don't be afraid of change!' Even at 59, George adheres to his lifelong commitment to diversifying his skills, and over his five years with Sayers/Hampsons he has become heavily involved in new technology areas.

Like many people at a young age, when George left school he was unsure which career path to pursue. Explained George: 'To be honest I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life and took the first job I was offered with the TSB.'

However, George was determined to achieve his academic goals. He said: 'At 25 I started taking exams again, and successfully passed my A Levels at 28!'

In addition, George talked his way into what he calls his 'second' career as the stadium announcer at Anfield.

George's IT career really kicked off at the start of the information revolution with a role as an operator for the National Girobank in the late '60s. From there he went into programming with a Preston-based company in 1974. He became an IT manager prior to being made redundant in the mid-80s. Once again, rather than let adversity dampen his spirits, he saw change as an opportunity to advance his career in other ways.

George continued: 'It was an five years ago and started looking round for something permanent with a well-respected local company, and Sayers/Hampsons fitted the bill perfectly.'

Thinking back, George can pick out a number of major moments in his career: 'There have been so many fantastic highlights of my 'other life' with Liverpool FC, in particular the big European finals. I particularly remember the Coca Cola Cup Final in 1995 at Wembley - and the thrill of standing on the hallowed turf talking to 84,000 people.'

George isn't ready to give up his work or passion: 'In terms of the future I'd dearly love to get seriously involved in the Capital of Culture in 2008ideal opportunity to become a freelance analyst/programmer, and that's what I did right up until 1999.

'I ceased trading in that role