Northern Ireland v Switzerland 08SEPT

WORDS: WILLIAM CAMPBELL

THE COMMENTATOR’S CURSE – BRING BACK JACKIE We have all enjoyed those foot in mouth moments when the

commentators get it so wrong, such as the declaration that a player has the sweetest left foot in the galaxy coming just before said player shanks his cross into Row Z.

Or it could be the confidence of the commentator telling us the penalty record of the kicker as he squirts his Panenka into the hands of the grateful goalkeeper. It is not only football that provides us with such moments. During the recent Tokyo Olympics the commentators were gushing about the world’s greatest g ymnast just before he lost his grip as he somersaulted into the air and fell to the floor from the High Bar. No gold medals for him nor for his humbled cheerleader. There is, of course, a fine line between praise and some of the current trend for overbearing sycophantic gushing. Many of the stoical old time commentators have passed on. Peter Alliss was always on the point with a wisecrack as the golfers fought for the old Claret Jug. I grew up listening to the Test Match Special team on the radio. Brian Johnston seemed to really enjoy the cricket and his delight was transposed into the listeners by his enthusiasm and the sheer joy of what he was doing.

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NIR V SUI