He had a magnificent lexicon that included classics including “all arms and legs like a mad octopus” and “those props are as cunning as a bag o’ weasels”. When rugby went professional, he was the only media man invited to see the pre-match training sessions. Fortunately, Bill McLaren did the next best thing and became the sound and image of BBC rugby for five decades, trusted by both fans and players alike to deliver. The man from Hawick was desperate to get a Scottish cap as a player but a bout of tuberculosis scuppered his dreams. 25 years later, Carpenter presented Ali with the Sports Personality of the Year in a moving ceremony. And I don't think Foreman's going to get up”. His words beautifully marked the turn of events: "Ali, at times now, looks as though he can barely lift his arms up. The South Londoner’s greatest moment with the mic was his stint on Muhammad Ali and George Foreman’s 1974 Rumble in the Jungle fight in Zaire. "Harry Carpenter's greatest moment with the mic was his stint on Muhammad Ali and George Foreman’s 1974 Rumble in the Jungle fight in Zaire" Bruno would often say: “Know what I mean, ‘Arry” at the end of the contest. His over-excitement during Frank Bruno’s world title fight against Mike Tyson in 1989 cemented a gregarious double act. Harry Carpenter was BBC’s boxing correspondent from 1962 until his retirement in 1994. Harry Carpenter: Know what I mean, ‘Arry? Tyler knew the Argentinian striker would score when he received the ball. The nine seconds of silence that followed was just as effective as the follow-up : “I swear you’ll never see anything like this ever again". The reaction that is replayed ad infinitum was driven by instinct. He aced that on one famous occasion, namely the “Agueroooo” moment as Manchester City secured the 2012 Premier League in dramatic fashion. When he was starting out regionally, Tyler revealed some key advice from fellow football commentator and legend Motty: “Talk little but say a lot.” Martin Tyler recently commentated on Australian television in Qatar during his 12th World Cup. Maskell was never agitated as a broadcaster although he did admit that the emotion of Virginia Wade winning Wimbledon in 1977 left him with a lump in his throat. “Oh, I say” and “that’s a peach of a pass” were bite-sized classics. When he did speak, the phrases were made for TV. Maskell spent over four decades at the BBC. Richie Benaud: The sound of the English summerĪn Australian who was loved by the English like one of their own, Benaud’s warm voice opened so many English summer Test match mornings. His attention to detail and knowledge of football extolled an authority that was never doused with overreliance on useless facts. When Steven Gerrard arrowed an incredible last-minute strike into the corner of the net during the 2006 FA Cup final against West Ham, Motty simply said: “Geraaaaaardd….he’s got it.” Motson had it in abundance. Motson had a generosity of spirit that appealed to everyone, lifting his voice to the right volume every time in line with the nation’s hopes and fears during international football tournaments. "Motson lifted his voice to the right volume every time in line with the nation’s hopes and fears during international football tournaments" Clive Tyldesley simply said he wanted to be John Motson as a teenager. His boyish enthusiasm and knowledge were second to none. The legendary commentator passed away in February 2023 at the age of 77 and the tributes immediately captured the essence of his appeal. Here are seven of the best senior commentators that knew-and one who still knows-how to deliver a perfect line John Motson: The late football commentary legend In this age of excitable sports analysis, the adage of less is more can be lost.
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