Commentators calling their favorite club's games

mmmmsnouts · March 14, 2016

One subplot of the title chase in America is that our only regular Premier League commentator is a lifelong Leicester City supporter and therefore has had to call a number of their games this year. Not complaining at all but I find it very unique. In America, commentators have to pack in their rooting interests as soon as they start their careers. But it seems the rooting allegiances of most British commentators are out in the open. Do networks there let commentators cover their favorite club's games? (Pundits don't count since they often analyze teams they used to play for.)

Toast · March 14, 2016

I've heard Alan Parry appeal for a penalty.

mmmmsnouts · March 14, 2016

(Mods I meant to put this in World Football, sorry about that.)

barneygumble · March 14, 2016

mmmmsnouts said:
One subplot of the title chase in America is that our only regular Premier League commentator is a lifelong Leicester City supporter and therefore has had to call a number of their games this year. Not complaining at all but I find it very unique. In America, commentators have to pack in their rooting interests as soon as they start their careers. But it seems the rooting allegiances of most British commentators are out in the open. Do networks there let commentators cover their favorite club's games? (Pundits don't count since they often analyze teams they used to play for.)

Is that Arlo White?

He's a sound commentator him!

This thread could get messy here though.... Andy Gray (n)

I always love the Ferguson goal against United in 2005 commentary.

Tigger · March 14, 2016

You don't get a gig on Sky unless you agree to route for the rs.

EvertonRhys · March 14, 2016

Seem to be a few commentators support the RS as mentioned- Alan Parry, also Steve Wilson (BBC), Alan Greene (radio, and bigot.) Surely a few more. Fairly certain John Motson is a Barnet fan. Generally not really pointed out who supports who, but certainly not a ban I think on covering games. And apart from some of the higher profile ones, I wouldn't say there's an issue with major bias, apart from the instituionalised glorification of the fancied few! Getting my socialist on there.

mmmmsnouts · March 14, 2016

barneygumble said:
Is that Arlo White?

He's a sound commentator him!

Yes it is. Meanwhile Ian Darke calls many of our national team games and he tweets about Portsmouth all the time.

peteblue · March 14, 2016

EvertonRhys said:
Seem to be a few commentators support the RS as mentioned- Alan Parry, also Steve Wilson (BBC), Alan Greene (radio, and bigot.) Surely a few more. Fairly certain John Motson is a Barnet fan. Generally not really pointed out who supports who, but certainly not a ban I think on covering games. And apart from some of the higher profile ones, I wouldn't say there's an issue with major bias, apart from the instituionalised glorification of the fancied few! Getting my socialist on there.

I for one am shocked that some commentators may have a RS bias. That nice Mr Green is the most even handed reporter I've ever heard.........

MrRealpolitique · March 14, 2016

Honestly the idea that commentators are unbiased is kind of ludicrous to me. I wish American sports commentators wouldn't kid themselves as they do. Have you ever heard Dick Vitale call a Duke game? You'd think Dickie V is Coach K's dad.

Kiwi · March 14, 2016

Partisan commentary doesnt really bother me, aside from when the commentators talk about their team in a non relevant context in the midst of an unrelated game.
The RS get name dropped an awful lot in this manner.

dandydan · March 14, 2016

I remember the city game during Liverpools title bottle job and Martin Tyler saying how quiet Goodison was every two minutes as if we were happy to lose.
Kopite bell!

EvertonRhys · March 14, 2016

peteblue said:
I for one am shocked that some commentators may have a RS bias. That nice Mr Green is the most even handed reporter I've ever heard.........

Remember him back in the day referring to Li Tie and Sun Jihai as chicken chow mein. God knows how he kept his job.

dannyboy · March 14, 2016

dandydan said:
I remember the city game during Liverpools title bottle job and Martin Tyler saying how quiet Goodison was every two minutes as if we were happy to lose.
Kopite bell!

We were.