Thank you. I had given up on anyone replying to this but I had actually since managed to figure these out for myself - but thanks anyway. I recognised Waynne Phillips when he appeared on this weekend's coverage.


Whilst the draw was also broadcast on the BBC, BT are covering the match at Southport tonight which is where the draw is taking place from and was also part of their pre-match coverage. So, it was technically happening on BT which is why it was Hipgrave as opposed to Chapman. Graeme Sharp joined the BT guys pitchside after the draw was made...

Worth remembering that Lynsey Hipgrave also did the R1 draw so perhaps it's BT season for hosting the draw.

FA Cup First Round: Southport v Fleetwood Town (BT Sport 1)

Matt Smith presenting coverage from The Merseyrail Community Stadium with Micky Mellon and Graeme Sharp.

Commentators: Steve Bower and Jim Beglin

I'd probably add the likes of Simon Brotherton, Derek Rae, Joe Speight and Bill Leslie to that list too.

That said all those sorts of lists can often include entries like that and it's rare I think that we'd all agree with everything on an 'football nominee' list.

Have to say pleased to see Conor McNamara on that list - John Murray is without doubt excellent (and just sounds like he was born to commentate with how easy he makes it sound) but I think McNamara is fantastic too. He's engaging and good at balancing banter and professionally covering the match and like Murray makes the whole thing sound so much easier than it actually is.

Also, while I've not had a chance to listen to it I've heard plenty of good things about 5 Live's 'Friday Football Special' and that Darren Fletcher and Jermaine Jenas do a great job on it. I know Fletcher often gets a lot of criticism on here but I think at times in that we do lose sight of the fact that he is a good broadcaster even if we aren't always huge fans of his TV commentaries.

And certainly knows NW football. I don't think Jim will have far to go home either as I'm sure he lives just down the road in Formby.

Jake Humphrey has got to be disappointed at Gary Lineker being shortlisted for "pundit of the year" ahead of him.

Yes those of course could be added as well, i only did a rough list at the time and not a full one! You could still add Martin Fisher, John Roder and even Alan Parry to that list ahead of Matterface!

Personally im indifferent about McNamara, he tends to be too over the top when not much is happening, although he is no where near as bad as F1 commentator Ben Edwards in that department. But he does still tend to commentate in a rather over the top manner for my liking. 5 Live have an excellent team of commentators though and generally they are brilliant. Even Alan Green, who can be a bit of a Marmite character provides good commentaries. It is a shame that Mike Ingham no longer does live commentaries, he was fantastic. The best radio commentator ive heard on football.

On a slight side note to this thread i do hope that Peter Brackley and his wife are doing okay. It was really nice to have Peter back on this thread a few months ago and i hope that all is well with him.

Yep no problem at all - I realised that at the time and your list was very thorough in any case. Just thought I'd add a few extra names on too. Didn't mean it to come across in a bad way so apologies if it did.

Agreed on 5Live - they always seem to have a lot of depth actually in terms of commentators with the likes of Green, Murray, McNamara, Dennis, Bruce-Ball and others (and if it were 2 years ago add in Ingham and 3 or so years ago you'd have had Fletcher too) and I normally find all of them pretty strong.
I don't listen to the radio coverage hugely but when I do listen Green, Murray and McNamara are the ones that leap out to me. Green I enjoy probably because I listen in small doses rather than each week, Murray is a fantastic orator and could frankly make anything sound interesting and I just enjoy McNamara's style. I find it inclusive and warming without being 'laddy' and I always enjoy broadcasters who find that balance.

I know we've covered non-football commentators on here a few times and the one that always grates on me is Andrew Castle who I always feel seems to come up with pointless, irritating tangents (particularly if someone famous is watching) and rather lightweight commentary.

Agree with the sentiments too about Peter Brackley. Peter's return on here earlier this year was a wonderful surprise and he provided some great tales and fantastic posts full of insight and wit that really enhanced the thread. Hope he and his wife are both doing well.

Agree on the thoughts for Peter

I'm with you guys on 5Live too, strong commentary line up and Ian Brown is used sometimes & is excellent, especially on Wales' games. They generally get decent pundits, the two Marks & Kelly Cates are good hosts. They also have excellent reporters like Pat Murphy & Peter Slater. British radio audiences have never been better served in term of decent football radio coverage. Commentators such as Mike Ingham & Peter Jones were obviously great but there's surely greater strength in depth now across 5Live & TS.

I'm no TS fan and I think they have more obvious weaknesses than 5Live but they do have positives & some strong people (especially now Stan has gone).

could be

It didnt come across in a bad way! I was just trying to emphasise that i felt that Matterface shouldnt have been on that list. Your additions helped the list as well and show a long list of names that could also have been nominated. (Funnily enough JP was ignored from both our lists!)

Ive mentioned on here and other forums my issues with Castle quite a few times. In short he is a poor, irritating, biased commentator that is not deserving of being the BBC's number one commentator. Simon Reed, Mark Petchey, Jonathan Overend, Nick Mullins, Andrew Cotter and Chris Bradnam are all more deserving of the role. The main issue for me is that he is in essence blocking better broadcasters from calling the Wimbledon final for the BBC.

Just to put you guys on notice, I'm going to have to take the data hub down for a few days. Given that we're heading into an international break and the system doesn't currently cater for internationals, now seems like a good time.

When it's back up, I will have made some changes and will have put a feedback form in place. Whilst I think and hope that it's been a success so far, you'll have the chance to report problems or niggly issues and make suggestions. I already have a number of things planned, but you might raise something I haven't thought of. Thanks.

To provide the alternative view - I'm really pleased to see Sam Matterface making this list and getting some recognition for a strong Euro 2016 where he put in a number of very good commentaries, notably on the Republic of Ireland. This will be a big boost for him I'm sure, given that he's had a difficult time post the Euros - having been taken off Sunday afternoon commentaries by talkSPORT at the start of the season and also seeing his long-time co-commentator Stan Collymore depart the station.

Don't get me wrong, there are commentators I much prefer to listen to than him (for instance I think TS were right to give Jim Proudfoot his Sunday slot and split their weekend games between the two), but for me he gets much too harsh a rap on forums like this - I think he's as good as any commentator on Radio 5 Live and many of the mainstream voices on TV. If anything, I could see him getting better still now that he's no longer used as prominently by talkSPORT or paired with Stan Collymore, I think these two changes have already seen him tone down his sometimes over-the-top and punny goals calls that are/were most people's bugbear with him. I'd certainly rather listen to him than the likes of Steve Wilson and Darren Fletcher, that's for sure.


Out of interest, what do you perceive to be talkSPORT's positives and their "obvious weaknesses?"

As you know, I'm a talkSPORT listener and I feel that, for whatever weak aspects their weekday daytime schedule may have, their live football coverage is very strong with no obvious weak points. For me, a huge advantage they have over 5 Live is the greater strength in depth in their reporting team with it representing Britain's regions much more broadly - you cite Pat Murphy (someone I find to be a major irritant), he's really the only 5 Live Sport reporter based in the Midlands, whereas talkSPORT have six or seven people covering the various areas within that region. I think talkSPORT have the best sports commentator on the radio in Jim Proudfoot and generally a very strong roster of co-commentators with the likes of Ray Houghton, Danny Murphy, Stuart Pearce, Danny Higginbotham and Alvin Martin all appearing prominently. I can't think of any real marmite figures who'd prompt me to instantly turn off like Robbie Savage and Danny Mills do over on 5 Live; whose co-commentary roster can be a real mixed bag.

Perhaps one that would be much better suited to the equivalent thread in the radio section, but seeing as it's an international week and quiet on here I thought I'd pursue your thoughts on this one - in the knowledge that brickbats are never that far away when I go down this road!

I saw a couple of people on Twitter talking about Clemmit's rather abrupt interview with Graham Westley during this match, it was a bit uncomfortable. Clearly Westley is from the "if you want entertainment, go and watch clowns" school of football management in terms of how much he's prepared to tolerate taking part in these kinds of things, but I think people are being a bit unfair to Clemmit, much as Westley was doing his job, so Clemmit was doing his, and it hardly seems a great imposition for about thirty seconds, Clemmit always does it with the upmost respect for the game and his interviewees.

The thing that irritated me a bit is that Westley probably owes much of his career to the media profile he got when Farnborough were on their Cup run.


I know we probably shouldn't get excited about this but it was quite novel to have two female commentators on this programme, albeit Sparks' commentary got the briefest edit imaginable. I missed the beginning and couldn't work out who was at Boreham Wood, but I thought Cowen did a pretty decent job of it.


That does appear to be the case, they are one of the media partners as well. I noticed Danny Baker take issue with Matt congratulating Lynsey on successfully completing the draw, which I think he thought was a bit patronising, though I'm assuming that was a self-deprecating comment on Matt's behalf after he made a balls-up of it a few seasons ago.


I didn't like Alan Green at all a few seasons ago but I do more now and I think that's partly because of his TV commentaries which I enjoy listening to. It illustrates what a good commentator he is. I like Conor McNamara on Twitter, he is very interesting and knowledgeable, and he does come up with good lines. It was really odd when he first started on Five Live, mind, because I remember he just turned up in the middle of a season. Been there for ages now, though.

Since I was away this weekend I didn't do my list but I'm going to do it now because that is what I want and that is what I shall be allowed to do...

Brentford vs Fulham - Introduced by Scott Minto with Peter Beagrie and David Prutton, commentary by Daniel Mann and Andy Hinchcliffe
Eastleigh vs Swindon - Introduced by Dan Walker with Phil Neville and Trevor Sinclair, commentary by Steve Bower and Martin Keown
Wolves vs Derby - Introduced by Kelly Cates with Danny Higginbotham and Ian Holloway, commentary by Bill Leslie and Don Goodman
Merstham vs Oxford - Introduced by Matt Smith with Steve Basham and David James, commentary by Adam Summerton and Adam Virgo
Chelsea vs Everton - Introduced by Jake Humphrey with Steve McManaman and Paul Scholes, commentary by Ian Darke, Owen Hargreaves and Trevor Francis
Bristol City vs Brighton - Introduced by Kelly Cates with Danny Higginbotham and Ian Holloway, commentary by Daniel Mann and David Prutton
Arsenal vs Spurs - Introduced by Jake Humphrey with Rio Ferdinand, Harry Redknapp and Ian Wright, commentary by Darren Fletcher, Steve McManaman and Trevor Francis
Super Sunday - Introduced by Dave Jones with Emile Heskey and Jamie Redknapp, Liverpool vs Watford commentary by Rob Hawthorne and Andy Hinchcliffe, Leicester vs West Brom commentary by Martin Tyler and Alan Smith
Southport vs Fleetwood - Introduced by Matt Smith with Micky Mellon and Graeme Sharp, commentary by Steve Bower and Jim Beglin

Indeed, but you could argue that Westley's job in actually managing one of the teams in the match was rather more important than Clemmit's job of getting an interview was at that precise moment.


Absolutely, but it doesn't make it any less of a distraction if you are totally engrossed in your team's play and issuing instructions as was the case with Westley on Sunday.

As it turns out, most managers at that level are happy to give some brief thoughts in that situation but those who aren't should be considered well within their rights to opt-out as they deal with the more pressing matters occupying them at that point.

This whole issue touches an aspect of the BBC/BT FA Cup broadcasting arrangement I've found slightly questionable, namely the balance of power between the broadcasters asking for high levels of access and the non-league clubs having the ability to accept or decline them as they see fit.

There's a famous saying in commercial radio "I'd you're not winning at Breakfast, you're not winning."

Breakfast is Talksport's biggest weakness, and one which the management repeatedly refuses to address.

I think John Murray is the best commentator but as you say, not the trhead for this.

For me, TS biggest issue is perception & at times who it has employed (and still employ). It's football coverage on it's own is probably stronger than it's daytime schedule. I don't like Adrian Durham, or Sam Matterface particularly and while they're co-comms are OK, none of them stand out to me but it's just my opinion.

5Live used ones I like including Chris Waddle, David Pleat (better on radio than TV), Pat Nevin, Jimmy Armfield & John Hartson. I like Robbie but I know most people don't. I take your point on regional reporters.

TS perception is it's weakness, people like Alan Brazil don't help & Drivetime has at times, tried to get a debate going but just come across as controversial. Most listeners don't loook at a radio station and separate aspects of coverage, they hear or read about Alan Brazil and associate him with the station. It happens to brands & is probably worse now with social media. The time when Alan was alleged caused a female colleague to leave the show (whether he was right or wrong) was reported on Twitter like he'd done something horrific, it all stick in people's minds. That's what I meant by obvious weakness.

5Live has weaknesses for sure, even in it's football coverage but the perception of the station is generally strong, even the Daily Mail generally gives it an easier ride than other BBC stations.

Brazil v Argentina- Kevin Keatings

Interview with Gary Bloom https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_c...&v=L98aMFgu2lg

I raised the issue of managers being interviewed during the game in this thread a couple of months ago. I don't like it. In fact, my exact quote was "if I was the manager I'd tell them to sod off, there's a game going on here". That's essentially what he did!

What were the circumstances of this though? I found a clip of it on Twitter but it wasn't a live game so was it shown as part of Final Score or something? If so, it was probably more in line with when it was convenient for the broadcaster to approach him as part of their schedule as opposed to waiting for a convenient moment like a break in play as they would've looked to do if it was a live game. This wouldn't have helped matters. Also, it seemed as if Westley might not have previously been consulted about being approached by Clemmit at some point during the game. If he had been, you would assume that he would have been slightly more willing to engage than he was - irrespective of what was going on on the pitch. He was trying to ignore him the whole time, hoping that he'd go away. If he had been consulted beforehand or at least asked for the green light in the seconds leading up to it you would have to assume that he would've flat-out refused and this whole awkward incident would have been avoided.

You'll find no argument from me about that.


Fair enough Colin, thanks for expanding on your views. While I can take and leave some daytime shows, particularly breakfast and drive; for me there is very little wrong with their live football coverage with some excellent presenters, commentators and co-commentators and a broad, strong reporting team.

Adrian Durham is a real quandary these days - I really don't like his persona on Drive Time and on weekdays I find him the biggest turn-off on the station; yet he's consistently excellent when anchoring talkSPORT's Around the Grounds show Matchday Live on Saturday afternoons. Here he drops the controversial nonsense and demonstrates an extremely broad knowledge of English league football that puts most of his counterparts to shame, something which is crucial to have when handling that sort of programme. Yet on the talkSPORT Chat thread in the radio forum on here, there's a school of thought that says the station would be a better listen without him - while he'd be a loss on Saturday afternoons for sure, they have a number of potential replacements including Ian Danter (surely one of the best all-rounders in sports radio, equally adept as a commentator, reporter and the host of serious or light-hearted shows) and Geoff Peters, who are always able deputies for Adrian when he is away and don't come with the negative reputation he has generated through his work on Drive Time.

Uefa Women's Champions League: Man City v Brondby - Man City TV/Facebook

Presenter: Kelly O'Donnell
Commentator: Alastair Mann

People who go on radio and just spout ridiculous opinions all the time eventually end up being ignored & ridiculed. I feel quite ashamed that I used to enjoy listening to Alan Brazil on the FL on Sky now I know more about him! Losing Collymore was a double edged sword, a well known and in certain places, well respected broadcaster but also a loose cannon. There doesn't seem to have been a direct repacelemt either, so a "Look we've lost Stan but in comes great new person X" which means the focus is all on Stan leaving rather than a publicised replacement. (I know people are doing his job but there's not been a direct replacement which was publicised).

I work in marketing and when I lived in the UK, I worked at a marketing agency which worked with radio, TS had to work really hard to get sponsors etc and some thought it was because of their image & certain presenters/pundits. Of 5Live's regular pundits, it's rare that there's a negative press story or Twitter incident but Stan seemed to get into things all the time. Robbie Savage gets some stick but he's a lot better at taking it than Stan is & he comes across better due to the light hearted nature (which may irritate some but I like it).

Ian Holloway is being linked with QPR according to The Times, which means he'd be off Sky until QPR sack him in February