Football
Exclusive: Martin Tyler: 50 Years of Football and the Voice That Shaped the Game
Martin Tyler, the iconic voice of football for 50 years, shares insights on his journey and the art of commentary. From humble beginnings to shaping how fans perceive the game, his passion for football shines through in every match he calls. His closing lines are spontaneous yet resonate deeply, marking the end of another memorable game. As he reflects on his career milestone, Tyler remains dedicated to honoring the beautiful game.
Vince Mignott/MB Media/Getty Images
For half a century, Martin Tyler has been the voice of football, narrating the game’s most iconic moments with precision, emotion, and a touch of poetry.
From Sergio Aguero’s last-gasp Premier League winner to Liverpool’s Champions League heroics in Istanbul, his words have become etched in the collective memory of football fans worldwide.
But behind the microphone lies a man deeply devoted to his craft; a commentator who views every match as a blank canvas, ready to be filled with the unpredictability and drama of the beautiful game.
In this exclusive with SportsBoom.com, Tyler reflects on his extraordinary journey, he offers an unfiltered look into how it all began, how he continues to refine his art, and why football remains his greatest passion.
The Accidental Debut: A Commentary Legend is Born
When Martin Tyler was thrust into the commentary booth for his first-ever game, it wasn’t part of a grand plan. It was, as he puts it, “not supposed to happen.”
“A television company in the South of England, Southern Television, asked my boss for a commentator,” Tyler recalls. “Amazingly, he put me forward. I did a test to prove I wasn’t a total rookie; but I was, really.”
The match, Southampton vs. Sheffield Wednesday, on December 28, 1974, was an unremarkable clash on paper. Yet, it marked the beginning of a journey that would define Tyler’s life.
“I remember every detail. I stayed at the same hotel as Sheffield Wednesday and even attended their morning training, a rare stroke of luck. It gave me a chance to see the players up close.”
The match itself? Far from smooth. “Sheffield Wednesday won, but it was their last league win of the season. They didn’t win another game and nearly got relegated.”
After the game, the producer’s simple words stuck with him: “Well done, old boy. We’ve got another game in a couple of weeks. Would you like to do it?”
“And people have been saying that to me ever since,” Tyler laughs.
"Perfection Is a Fool's Errand"
Tyler’s career has spanned five decades, yet he approaches every game with the same reverence.
“Every match is treated like the first, with the same desire to achieve perfection in something where perfection isn’t achievable,” he admits. “Off-the-cuff commentary for two hours—it’s impossible to script it.
What has evolved over time is his confidence. “Of course, the first game didn’t have the polish or experience I bring now. But I managed because I had a good football grounding, having played the game myself.”
Do Commentators Shape the Game?
Does Tyler think he influences how fans perceive football?
“When I started, it was just me, so opinions were expected. Not damning ones—more about the quality of play or a goal. But now, with co-commentators, the dynamic has changed.”
Tyler emphasizes context: “A last-minute winner shapes the destiny of a match and deserves the excitement. But a fifth goal in a 5-0 win? You don’t go crazy. You have to balance your voice against the noise of the crowd and the magnitude of the moment.”
One regret? Underplaying a Christian Benteke goal. “Liverpool fans weren’t happy. It was an away goal, and the crowd didn’t react loudly, which affects how it comes across. Moments like that remind me there’s always room to improve.”
The Art of the Closing Line
What about those memorable final words that cap a game? Are they pre-planned? “It’s half true,” Tyler reveals. “I don’t script phrases, but I do prepare notes. For example, if Manchester United win the FA Cup, I remind myself of its significance. But the actual words? Spontaneous.”
His method relies on a deep love for the game and a “reasonable vocabulary” to capture the moment authentically. “The final words are always, ‘The final score is…’ and that’s how you know it’s done.”
50 Years of Reverence for the Beautiful Game
As Tyler marks 50 years in commentary this December, his humility remains striking. “I’ve called matches that made history, but every game feels like a privilege,” he reflects. “I don’t aim for perfection anymore, I aim to honor the game.”
With every word and every moment, Martin Tyler has not just called football, he’s helped define it.
Gbemidepo Popoola, is a freelance Sport Journalist with multiple years of experience in Writing, Reportage and Broadcasting. Gbemidepo's major concentration is telling the local Nigerian Sporting stories, in its own Unique way. This is because he believes, "no one, can tell our story better than ourselves".