The first football match broadcast live over the radio airwaves was in back 1927 when Sheffield United visited Highbury to face Arsenal. To assist the listeners, The Radio Times magazine printed a reference grid that divided the pitch into numbered sectors. Whilst Teddy Wakelam described what was going on, his background partner C.A. Lewis announced which sectors the events were taking place and football commentary was born!

Just a decade later and the first game would be televised on our screens in black and white and it was Highbury Stadium once again pioneering the way as Arsenal played Arsenal Reserves in a specially organised friendly match in front of the BBC cameras.

The beautiful game can now be watched in HD full colour and listened to across various platforms almost every day of the week. A knowledgeable commentator adds to the entertainment and over the decades we’ve been blessed with some greats. The unique voices, clichés and the odd gaff from the commentary box help bring the action to life. Those special moments in football history will be remembered in our memories with the help of the commentators mastery of the English language. The famous quote from Kenneth Wolstenholme “Some people are on the pitch, they think it’s all over, it is now!” or Brian Moore’s “Thomas charging through the midfield… it’s up for grabs now!” will be ingrained in our memories for years to come.