David Coleman dies, aged 87

As well as being one of the greatest sports commentators David Coleman, who has died at the age of 87, also coined the much-loved gaffes and non-sequiturs which came to be known as Colemanballs. Here are 21 of the best:


“That’s the fastest time ever run – but it’s not as fast as the world record.”

“A truly international field, no Britons involved.”

“The Republic of China – back in the Olympic Games for the first time.”

“Don’t tell those coming in the final result of that fantastic match, but let’s just have another look at Italy’s winning goal.”

“He’s 31 this year – last year he was 30.”

“He just can’t believe what’s not happening to him.”

“In a moment we hope to see the pole vault over the satellite.”

“He is accelerating all the time. The last lap was run in 64 seconds and the one before that in 62.”

“It’s gold or nothing ... and it’s nothing. He comes away with the silver medal.”

“There is Brendan Foster, by himself with 20,000 people.”

“Forest have now lost six matches without winning.”

“The front wheel crosses the finish line, closely followed by the back wheel.”

“And here’s Moses Kiptanui – the 19-year-old Kenyan who turned 20 a few weeks ago.”

“That’s the fastest time ever run, but it’s not as fast as the world record.”

“If that had gone in, it would have been a goal.”

“This evening is a very different evening from the morning we had this morning.”

“I think there is no doubt, she’ll probably qualify for the final.”

“Nobody has ever won the title twice before. He (Roger Black) has already done that.”

“Both of the Villa scorers – Withe and Mortimer – were born in Liverpool as was the Villa manager Ron Saunders who was born in Birkenhead.”

“He is accelerating all the time. The last lap was run in 64 seconds and the one before in 62.”

"There is a fine line between serendipity and stalking"

He will be sadly missed.......

 

He also had the right voice for the job

 

There was a whole book, of commentators cockups called Colemanballs, I think Murray Walker featured a lot.

He was a great commentator and great fun as well, a legend of sport, RIP David you will be missed.