12/20/2023 0 Comments Football commentatorBut it was football which was David Coleman’s first love, and he was always on hand with trivia and knowledge until his death in 2013. As well as being the first presenter of Grandstand and Sportsnight, Coleman also hosted Question Of Sport for 18 years, making him a superb all-rounder for the corporation. He then concentrated on Athletics, on which he commentated on every Olympic Games from 1960-2000, before retiring aged 74. He was replaced as the main football commentator by John Motson in 1979, but still continued to do live matches for another two years. His words ”What a save, Gordon Banks!” were used on England’s Euro ’96 song, ‘Three Lions.’ Coleman also had the honour of describing Gordon Banks‘ incredible stop from Pele in the 1970 World Cup. His signature line whilst commentating was to simply say ”One-nil!” whenever the first goal of a game was scored. He replaced Kenneth Wolstenholme as senior football commentator in 1971, given World Cup Finals, European Cup Finals and FA Cup Finals in the process. His importance to the BBC was clear when after interest from rivals ITV, they gave him a £10,000 a year contract, making him the highest paid broadcaster in sports television. His remarkable memory, opinionated manner and infectious enthusiasm, made him the face of the channel’s sport coverage for over 40 years.Ĭoleman covered six World Cups between 1958-78 and was made lead commentator for Match Of The Day when it started in 1964. It’s often said that David Coleman was responsible for making BBC Sport a worldwide brand. Football Commentating Years On TV: 1958-81 (BBC)
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