The Commentators' View: Kit gripes & anxiety dreams

Aug 15, 2025

Join the lively banter as hosts delve into the unique challenges of football commentary at stadiums like Sunderland. They share their excitement about upcoming Premier League players and discuss the intricacies of terms in the Great Glossary of Football Commentary. Listen in on hilarious anecdotes and the competitive Clash of the Commentators, alongside reflections on anxiety dreams that keep commentators on their toes. With a mix of nostalgia and anticipation, the season ahead promises thrill and laughter.

Ask episode

AI Snips

Chapters

Transcript

Episode notes

ANECDOTE

The Missing Mic Muff

John mislaid a branded mic muff over the summer and discovered he's been using a generic 5 Live one on return.
He suspects it was left in Sheffield, Bratislava or Royal Portrush during his travels and jokes about autograph hunters.

ANECDOTE

Portrush Holiday And A Week Off

Alistair attended the Open in Portrush and enjoyed seeing Scottie Scheffler nearby.
He recorded the podcast a week early because he's taking an extra holiday and will miss the first Premier League weekend.

INSIGHT

More Five Live Coverage, More Choice

The new four-year radio rights cycle increases Five Live's presence and offers listeners more choice at key kickoff times.
There will be alternative three o'clock commentaries on Sports Extra, expanding options for listeners.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Get the app

John Murray, Ian Dennis & Ali Bruce-Ball talk football, travel & language. It turns out Sunderland being back in the Premier League may pose some problems for commentators. Which new players are the guys most excited to see in action? Surely John can’t lose again in Clash of the Commentators, and will any new terms be added to the Great Glossary of Football Commentary? WhatsApp voicenotes to 08000 289 369. Emails to TCV@bbc.co.uk

08:15 5 Live returns with 209 Premier League commentaries 11:50 ‘Challenging’ commentary position at the Stadium of Light 15:25 Which players are the guys excited to commentate on? 16:48 Benjamin Šeško or Benjamin Sesko? 18:17 Who will be challenging for the title? 20:00 Any new season resolutions? 22:02 What’s in John’s pencil case? 24:53 Feeling rusty at the start of the season 31:03 Will John lose again in Clash of the Commentators? 36:25 Great Glossary of Football Commentary 47:23 Ian’s FPL beef with Chris Sutton

BBC Sounds / 5 Live Premier League commentaries: Sat 1500 Sunderland v West Ham, Sat 1500 Tottenham v Burnley on Sports Extra, Sat 1730 Wolves v Man City, Sun 1400 Chelsea v Crystal Palace, Sun 1400 Nottingham Forest v Brentford on Sports Extra, Sun 1630 Man Utd v Arsenal.

Glossary so far: 2-0 is a dangerous score, After you Claude, All-Premier League affair, Aplomb, Brace, Brandished, Breaking the deadlock, Bundled over the line, Champions elect / champions apparent, Clinical finish, Commentator’s curse, Coupon buster, Cultured/Educated left foot, Denied by the woodwork, Draught excluder, Elimination line, Fellow countryman, Foot race, Formerly of this parish, Fox in the box, Free hit, Goalkeepers’ Union, Goalmouth scramble, Good touch for a big man, Honeymoon Period, In and around, In the shop window, Keeping ball under their spell, Languishing, Loitering with intent, Marching orders, Nestle in the bottom corner, Numbered derbies, Nutmeg, Opposite number, Park the bus, PK for penalty-kick, Postage stamp, Put it in the mixer, Put their laces through it, Rasping shot, Red wine not white wine, Relegation six-pointer, Rooted at the bottom, Route One, Roy of the Rovers stuff, Sending the goalkeeper the wrong way, Sleeping giants, Slide rule pass, Small matter of, Spiders web, Stayed hit, Steepling, Stinging the palms, Stonewall penalty, Straight off the training ground, Stramash, Team that likes to play football, Throw their cap on it, Thruppenny bit head / 50p head, Towering header, Turning into a basketball match, Turning into a cricket score, Two good feet, Walking a disciplinary tightrope, Wand of a left foot, We’ve got a cup tie on our hands, Where the owl sleeps, Winger in their pocket, Wrap foot around it, Your De Bruynes, your Gundogans etc.