March 25 – It’s All Over for Kenneth

ENGLAND’S World Cup win in ’66 brought with it many iconic moments, whether it was the Russian Linesman, Nobby dancing or Bobby Moore being carried on his team-mate’s shoulders.

Arguably most famous of all though, were the words that the BBC commentator that day uttered as Geoff Hurst blasted home his hat-trick goal.

Kenneth Wolstenholme, the man who came up with the most famous piece of sporting commentary ever, died today in 2002.

Wolstenholme began his career as a journalist in Manchester, before joining the RAF where he would fly 100 missions over Germany. You can’t really imagine Motty doing the same can you?

Once Ken had helped put Hitler and the Nazi’s in their place he joined the BBC and began to notch up a reputation as the main man for the growing medium of television commentary.

Wolstenholme commentated on Match of the Day’s first ever game in 1964 and covered every FA Cup Final between 1949 and 1971, as well as notching up all manner of European and World Cup finals.

But it was Wolstenholme’s performance on that sunny day at Wembley in 1966 that he will forever be remembered for:

“And here comes Hurst, he’s got… some people are on the pitch, they think it’s all over! …It is now! ”

This became the most famous passage of football commentary ever and still looms large over the nation’s collective imagination. Wolstenholme received only £60 for his work that day and four years later was ousted by the Beeb to make way for David Coleman.

Wolstenholme never really forgave the BBC for cutting him down in his prime, but showed that good old British stiff upper lip and took it in his stride:

“It was clear they didn’t want me any more and I was a bit miffed about that,” he said. “But you get nowhere by carrying a chip on your shoulder.”

As football became more and more integral to the television schedules Wolstenholme lamented the modern day coverage.

“They overdo it and all the commentators seem to have been told to change to the same style. It bores me. They don’t seem to realise that while silence in radio is death – in television it can be golden,” he said.

He was also not a fan of his most famous phrase being pinched for the title of the Gary Lineker and David Gower quiz show ‘They Think It’s All Over’, threatening to sue, as he said: “I am pretty proud of that phrase and it annoys me to see others pinching it and living off it.”

Kenneth’s last gig was presenting Channel Four’s excellent Italian coverage, but when he passed away in a Torquay hospital at the ripe old age of 81.

Listen out for another cracking piece of Wolstenholme commentary below, showing that less is often more.

We’ll be back for more retro footy action tomorrow, but until then check out another story from today involving a remarkable effort from lower league fans and also follow us on Twitter here.