"YOU TRY TO REACH A LEVEL OF PERFECTION IN A ROLE THAT, BY ITS SHEER SPONTANEITY, IS IMPOSSIBLE"

The legendary voice of football discusses over half a century in the gantry, the best players he's seen in the flesh and how he rang in his 80th birthday

- Interview Grant Shub

You've been described as 'the voice of football'. How does that feel?

It's weird because it's been my voice all my life, so I don't really see it like that. My dad, Alan, had a better voice. He was a shopkeeper and spoke beautifully with natural resonance. I had no training in terms of commentary - a passion for football is what it's been all about. I fell in love with the game very early. When I was eight I went to watch Woking, my team, for the first time. Football became an obsession. All I've ever done is tried my best and the love for football takes you through the difficult times. The goal in my commentary has always been to be the best version of myself. Sometimes it works out, sometimes it doesn't. You study the teams, players and hopefully your instincts are tuned in on the day. You try to reach a level of perfection in a job that, by its sheer spontaneity, can't be perfect. Driving home, I'll invariably think, “Why did I say that? Why didn't I say this?” Just like the players, you give it your best and hope to stay in the side.

How do you look back on your time as a striker in non-league football?

I played at a good level against some very good players, but I wasn't really at that standard. Playing as a striker was hard because, in a struggling team, I didn’t get many chances. I faced guys who went on to play in the top flight like John Lacy, who was in Fulham's 1975 FA Cup Final team and later joined Spurs. I was coached by George Cohen, part of England’s 1966 World Cup-winning side. Playing is still the best and when I dream it’s about playing, not commentating. The only commentary dreams that I have are about being stuck on a train and not getting to the game in time, or not finding the gantry when the match is about to kick off. Nightmares really!

You've also been involved in coaching. How have you enjoyed that outlet?