Listening to Guardian Football Weekly podcast tonight (v entertaining 45 / 50 mins to help with the indoor bike training sessions through the cold and dark Canadian winter).... A QPR fan had texted in stating it was the first time this season due to injuries, selection etc that a commentator would have had the opportunity to say "Dunne to Mutch, Mutch to Yun" Reminded of some classic 80's cricket commentaries "The bowler's Holding, the batsmen's Willey" That's a genuine one but Im not sure if this one is "Lillee caught Willey bowled Dilley" Made me laugh anyway...
'The big Cuban opened his legs and showed his class' Said by David Coleman When Montreal Olympics, 1976 The man who gave his name to a commentary cock-up (the Colemanball) could sometimes be so bad he was good. Like here, for instance. As Cuban Alberto Juantorena - nicknamed 'El Caballo' (the horse) for his muscular appearance and nine-foot stride - powered to 400m and 800m gold medals in Montreal, Coleman began his fine foot-in-mouth tradition with this observation. http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2002/oct/06/sixnations2008.features
I remember another cricket moment, said by the commentator who whispered, "Edridge, in the slips, Legs apart, waiting for a tickle And of course Weightlifting commentator at the Olympic Snatch and Jerk Event: “This is Gregoriava from Bulgaria. I saw her snatch this morning during her warm up and it was amazing.”
Who can forget QPR's own Rio "Arch Duke" Ferdinand who said (in his days at Man U): "Gary Neville was the captain and now Ryan Giggs has taken on the mantelpiece"!
Snooker: "For those of you watching in black and white, the green ball is next to the blue and brown ball".
"One of the reasons Arnie is playing so well, is that, before each tee shot, his wife takes out his balls and kisses them ..."
In 1991, while commentating on a Test match between England and the West Indies, TMS legends Brian Johnston and Jonathan Agnew were undone by the most famous fit of giggles in broadcasting history. Here's what happened: Johnston was describing a curious dismissal in which Ian Botham’s inner thigh had brushed his stumps, dislodging a bail. ‘He just didn’t quite get his leg over,’ chipped in Agnew mischievously. Cue Johnston, a lover of schoolboy innuendo to rival Frankie Howerd, erupting in a Krakatoa of snorts, whimpers, sneezes and, finally, uncontrollable laughter. Listeners were similarly afflicted; motorists had to pull on to the hard shoulder to wipe away the tears.
Some Colemanballs: âThatâs the fastest time ever run â but itâs not as fast as the world record.â âDonât tell those coming in the final result of that fantastic match, but letâs just have another look at Italyâs winning goal.â âHeâs 31 this year â last year he was 30.â âHe just canât believe whatâs not happening to him.â âItâs gold or nothing ... and itâs nothing. He comes away with the silver medal.â âThere is Brendan Foster, by himself with 20,000 people.â âForest have now lost six matches without winning.â âThe front wheel crosses the finish line, closely followed by the back wheel.â âAnd hereâs Moses Kiptanui â the 19-year-old Kenyan who turned 20 a few weeks ago.â âIf that had gone in, it would have been a goal.â âI think there is no doubt, sheâll probably qualify for the final.â "And the line-up for the final of the women's 400 metres hurdles includes three Russians, two East Germans, a Pole, a Swede and a Frenchman."
You can add the bat rubber fiasco with Michael Vaughan to the list of Mr Agnew's list of moments. That had me genuinely nearly wetting myself.
