7 Greatest Football Commentators of All Time

Commentators are actually the most important part of a viewing experience of a football match live on television. They give life to the sport and hand a lot of relevant information before, during and after the game when it comes to summarising the impact of a particular game.

There have been some incredible commentators in the history of football but some of just stood out for the iconic moments they were present in, to commentate. Here are 7 of the greatest.....

1. Peter Drury

Words wouldn't do enough justice to what Peter Drury represents in the field of football commentary.

A poet in his own right, Drury has the most amazing abstract descriptions for the beautiful game and has the tone of an utterly emotional football lover that directly connects with the audience.

In his career, Drury has had some brilliant moments, most of which have come in the Premier League whereas fans fondly remember his commentary when AS Roma knocked Barcelona out of the Champions League courtesy of a goal from Kostas Manolas.

Here's a revisit to those magical words:

"Roma have risen from their ruins. Manolas the Greek god in Rome. The unthinkable unfolds before our eyes. This was not meant to happen. This could not happen. This is happening. Barcelona! Extraordinary! Eight minutes from elimination. Di Francesco does not know where to go. Iniesta does not know where to look. It is a Greek from mount Olympus who has come to the seven hills of rome and pulled of a miracle."

We believe no one can do this and represent such a poetic connect with football commentary and hence Drury takes the top spot.

2. John Motson

Having covered more than 2000 games in his illustrious commentating career, John Motson retired in 2008 before making a return with talkSPORT in 2017.

He has been one of the greatest commentators to have graced English football and was a favourite among fans in the late 80s and 90s.

3. Clive Tyldesley

After Brian Moore (mentioned later in our list) retired, Tyldesley took over the reigns at ITV.

Tyldesley is often seen commentating on Champions League games (he has covered the last seventeen finals) as well as important FA Cup matches. Additionally, he has also lent his voice for the FIFA games multiple times.

Moreover, Tyldesley has won the Royal Television Society Sports Commentator of the Year award four times.

4. Andy Gray

Gray did face some controversial issues in his career in commentary but no one can deny his quality on the mic.

The best part about Gray's commentary was that his logic and explanations for footballing events were so simply portrayed by him that even a layman could understand what he was trying to explain from those certain incidents.

5. Martin Tyler

Probably the most known voice in English football commentary is that of Martin Tyler. The 74-year-old is still a full-time commentator and has longtime associations with modern day football's greatest commentators including Peter Drury, Jim Beglin and Alan Smith.

6. Jon Champion

Premier League definitely misses the charm of Jon Champion since he left England for commentating in the United States.

Champion has also covered three World Cups in his career. He has also lent his voice to the commentary section of several editions of the videogame Pro Evolution Soccer.

7. Brian Moore

Many term him 'the father of English football commentary'. Moore covered nine FIFA World Cups and more than twenty Cup championship finals in his long career.

Although he passed away at the age of 69 in 2001, Moore will always be remembered for being the first professional commentator in English football history.