Top 10 Best British Football Commentators of All Time
Top 10 Best British Football Commentators of All Time Football is more than just a game. It is a spectacle, a drama, a passion. And nothing enhances the experience of watching football more than listening to a great commentator.
A great commentator can make you feel the excitement, the tension, the joy, and the despair of the game. They can inform you, entertain you, and inspire you. They can make you laugh, cry, and cheer.
But who are the best British football commentators of all time? This is a subjective question, and everyone may have their own opinions and preferences. However, based on their popularity, influence, style, and legacy, here are 10 candidates that we think deserve to be on the list.
1. John Murray
John Murray is one of the most brilliant and beloved football commentators of his generation. He has been commentating since 1998, and has worked for various broadcasters, including BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Radio Scotland, and the BBC.
He is the current lead commentator for BBC Radio 5 Live, covering the World Cup, the European Championship, and the Premier League. He is known for his warm, friendly, and engaging style, as well as his storytelling and sense of humor.
Murray has also commentated on other sports, such as athletics, cycling, and golf. He has also written several articles and columns on football and commentary.
2. Martin Keown
Martin Keown is one of the most insightful and intelligent football commentators of his generation. He has been commentating since 2004, and has worked for various broadcasters, including the BBC, ITV, and BT Sport.
He is the current lead co-commentator for BT Sport, covering the Premier League, the Champions League, and the Europa League.
His former player experience and expertise, along with his analytical, honest, and sometimes critical style, are what make him known.
Keown played for Arsenal, Everton, and England, winning several trophies and accolades. He has also written several books and columns on football and commentary.
3. Jonathan Pearce
Jonathan Pearce is one of the most distinctive and entertaining football commentators of his generation. He has been commentating since 1987 and has worked for various broadcasters, including Capital Radio, BBC Radio 5 Live, and the BBC.
He is the current lead commentator for Match of the Day, covering the Premier League, the FA Cup, and the League Cup. He is known for his loud, enthusiastic, and sometimes controversial style, as well as his catchphrases, such as “He’s hit the beans on toast!” and “It’s a humdinger!”
Pearce has also commented on other sports, such as robot wars, ice hockey, and darts. He has also written several books and columns on football and commentary.
4. Guy Mowbray
Guy Mowbray is one of the most respected and reliable football commentators of his generation. He has been commentating since 1996, and has worked for various broadcasters, including Sky Sports, ITV, and the BBC.
He is the current lead commentator for the BBC, covering the World Cup, the European Championship, and the Premier League. His professional, informative, and balanced style, along with his extensive knowledge and research of the game, have earned him recognition.
Mowbray has also commentated on other sports, such as golf, tennis, and snooker. He has also written a book on football commentary.
5. Peter Drury
Peter Drury is one of the most versatile and talented football commentators of his generation. He has been commentating since 1993, and has worked for various broadcasters, including the BBC, ITV, and BT Sport.
He is the current lead commentator for Premier League Productions, covering the Premier League, the FA Cup, and the Europa League.
His poetic, passionate, and powerful style, along with his skill in capturing the mood and moment of the game, has earned him recognition.
Drury has also commentated on other sports, such as rugby, cricket, and boxing. He has also written several articles and columns on football and commentary.
6. Clive Tyldesley
Clive Tyldesley is one of the most prominent and popular football commentators of the modern era. He has been commentating since 1982, and has worked for various broadcasters, including the BBC, ITV, and CBS.
He is the current lead commentator for ITV, covering the World Cup, the European Championship, and the Champions League. He is known for his dramatic, emotional, and humorous style, as well as his knack for delivering memorable lines, such as “Remember the name!” and “That night in Barcelona!”
Tyldesley has won several awards, including the Royal Television Society Sports Commentator of the Year twice. He has also written a book and a podcast on football commentary.
7. Brian Moore
Brian Moore was one of the most influential and respected football commentators of his generation. He began his career in 1958, and worked for various broadcasters, including the BBC, ITV, and Channel 4.
He was the main commentator for ITV for over 30 years, covering seven World Cups, six European Championships, and countless domestic and international matches.
His clear, concise, and impartial style, as well as his rapport with co-commentators like Jimmy Hill and Ron Atkinson, earned him recognition.
Moore died in 2001, aged 69, after suffering a heart attack. The BBC Sports Personality of the Year ceremony posthumously awarded him the Helen Rollason Award.
8. Barry Davies
Barry Davies is another veteran of football commentary, having started his career in 1969. He has commentated on various sports, including tennis, hockey, and athletics, but football is his forte.
He has covered nine World Cups, eight European Championships, and numerous domestic and international matches.
His eloquent, expressive, and witty style, along with his memorable lines such as “Oh, what a goal!” and “Just look at his face!” have earned him recognition.
Davies retired from regular commentary in 2004, but has made occasional appearances for the BBC and BT Sport. He has also written several books and columns on football and other sports.
9. John Motson
Football enthusiasts affectionately know John Motson, or “Motty,” as a legend of football commentary. He has been commentating since 1971, and has covered over 2,000 games, including 10 World Cups, 10 European Championships, and 29 FA Cup finals.
He is famous for his enthusiastic, passionate, and sometimes quirky style, as well as his trademark sheepskin coat.
Motson retired from live commentary in 2018 but still works for the BBC as a pundit and a narrator. He has received many honors, including an OBE, a BAFTA, and a place in the Football Hall of Fame.
10. Martin Tyler
Martin Tyler is one of the most recognizable voices in football. He has been commentating for over 40 years, covering some of the most memorable moments in the history of the game. He is known for his calm, authoritative, and descriptive style, as well as his iconic catchphrases, such as “And it’s live!” and “Aguerooooo!”.
Tyler has worked for various broadcasters, including ITV, Sky Sports, and FIFA. He has won several awards, including the Royal Television Society Sports Commentator of the Year four times. He is also a FIFA-accredited coach and a former player.
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FAQs
The title of “best” can be subjective, but some widely acclaimed British football commentators include Martin Tyler, Clive Tyldesley, John Motson, and Peter Drury.
Martin Tyler is renowned for his smooth and poetic commentary style. His extensive knowledge of the game, coupled with a distinctive voice, has made him a favorite among football fans.
Clive Tyldesley is celebrated for his dramatic and enthusiastic commentary. He is known for his memorable lines and ability to capture the excitement of key moments during matches.
John Motson, with his iconic sheepskin coat, is a legendary figure in football commentary. His insightful analysis, coupled with a distinct voice, has left a lasting impact on the sport.
Football commentary in the UK has evolved with advancements in technology and changes in broadcasting. Commentators now face increased scrutiny, and fans expect a balance of passion, knowledge, and unbiased analysis.
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