A familiar voice to Match of the Day viewers for 35 years, Barry Davies MBE is one of English football’s most distinguished commentators.
Barry started his broadcasting career whilst on National Service, joining the BBC in 1963 whilst simultaneously working as a newspaper journalist for The Times.
A radio commentator in his formative years, Barry would make his television debut with rivals ITV, first covering a Fairs Cup tie between Chelsea and AC Milan in1966, before featuring in World Cup games held in the north east.
After three years covering football (and other sports) with ITV and other broadcasters, Davies rejoined the BBC in 1969, this time featuring in their television coverage. He made his debut as a last-minute replacement for fellow icon David Coleman, behind the microphone for Manchester United’s trip to Crystal Palace.
Barry would soon establish himself as one of the key voices on Match of the Day, where his refined commentary garnered praise and respect from viewers. On his succinct style and measured delivery, Davies himself said, “Dramatic moments in football speak for themselves.”
Davies would serve in his capacity as a commentator for Match of the Day for a staggering 35 years, as well as covering ten World Cups (one with ITV), seven European Championships and numerous European Cup Finals.
He was behind the mic for Diego Maradona’s ‘Goal of the Century’ in 1986 – “you have to say that was magnificent” – and is perhaps best remembered for his commentary on Francis Lee’s goal for Derby County against Manchester in a 1974 First Division game, exclaiming “Look at his face! Just look at his face!”
Barry stepped down from Match of the Day duties in 2004, but returned one final time to mark the show’s 50th anniversary, fittingly covering another game at Selhurst Park. Adept across multiple sporting disciplines, he continued to commentate on a range of sports – including hockey at the 2012 Olympic Games – before retiring in 2018.
