The commentator on the Arsenal versus Manchester City game was as surefooted as ever.
Martin Tyler, Sky’s top football man, has been calling the action for commercial and satellite television for 32 years.
He is measured, informative, always finds something interesting in a match and uses his research to help the viewer.
Tyler is respected throughout the game because he empathises with players and officials and commentates as though he has a responsibility to the sport.
He is immersed in football. In between homework, travelling, matches and training sessions he attends to aid player identification, he is the fitness coach at non-league Kingstonian and coaches at a local primary school.
At an age when others retire to the garden or the golf course he wants to continue for as long as they let him,
“I signed a three year contract with Sky which started in January. I love the game with a passion. Football is my life. It is not just a job and I am very lucky to have this life.
“You have to want to keep going. Like players who get beyond a certain age you have to ask yourself ‘when you get to the ground do you still get that excitement?’ I still do. That will be my litmus test.”
Tyler does, though, have some way to go to match one of the broadcasters he admires most. Vin Scully has been the voice of the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers for 61 years and counting.
“I only met him once but it was a real privilege. His use of words and timing are staggering. He is a wonderful example of a consummate professional.
“I did the World Cup for ESPN in America and it did strike me at one point that he may be listening. It was another reason, among many of course, that if one of my comments worked for him it would be the ultimate accolade.”
Tyler first encountered baseball in the 1970′s on visits to watch the North American Soccer League. He took the opportunity to present the World Series on Channel 4 during the 1980′s and remains a fan.
Just as Scully will always be associated with the Dodgers so Tyler will forever be the voice of English football’s golden age.
Many people have helped him become the most capable of broadcasters and he insisted on mentioning the former Daily Mail football writer Brian James, Jimmy Hill who encouraged him to take a job at LWT, the late Brian Moore, ITV’s number one who led by example, Andy Gray, his co-commentator of 20 years who he feels privileged to have worked with and Sky’s outstanding production and technical matchday staff.
” Throughout my career I have been very fortunate.”
Yes, Martin, and so have we, the viewers.
Nice piece Nigel. Hope you go on and emulate him.
Thanks Jeremy. Could not emulate Martin Tyler if I tried. He is in a league of his own.
Very nice interview. Martin Tyler’s passion for and knowledge of football has resonated with us here in Australia for many years over several World Cups, and it was quite a loss for us Aussie football fans over recent Junes and Julys when he lent his voice to other broadcasters. No other commentator ever came close to him, and I’ll always remember – in particular – his contributions during France 98.
He possesses such a sharp analysis filled with exclamation and excitement that it’s often amazing to think that he manages to come up with quality quote after quote just off the top of his head. Watching Arsenal games with him at the mic has also been a joy – at first I thought that he was surely a secret fan, but the truth is that he simply loves the game.
Several of my favourite Martin Tyler moments – writing them down simply doesn’t do him justice, though:
- Man Utd’s comeback at the San Siro in Champions League semi during the treble-winning season with the headed goals which pulled the score back to 2-2: “…[two goals from United, first from Keane and now from Yorke]…are they heading for Barcelona?”
- Tony Adams icing the cake with the final goal in the 4-0 win that sealed the title for Arsenal in 97-98, “It’s Adams! Put through by Boooould….”
- Michael Owen’s goal against Argentina at France 98, and Martin’s national pride and belief in the team slightly getting the better of him
- The Arsenal Invincibles keeping the unbeaten run alive in that dramatic game against Middlesbrough at Highbury – the Reyes goal and the incredible “Reyes!!!!” which came with it.
- And the legendary, “it’s Kanu, De Goey’s out in the centre, it’s Kanu what’s he gonna do…OHHH!!!! Can you (Kan-U?) believe it!!” in the 3-2 comeback at Stamford Bridge
Thanks Will. Martin is a top commentator because he is thoroughly decent and I think the viewer picks up on that. Thanks for reading the blog.
Nige;
Enjoyed the piece and in a world of backbiting and unregulated hatred on the web, it’s good to see deference and professional respect for guys like Martin Tyler, who represent the best of our business. As for Tyler’s good fortune, you make your own luck in life.