Clive Tyldesley is a British sports commentator.
Career
Early career
Tyldesley was born in Lancashire and was educated at Kirkham Grammar School. He began his career in local radio in Nottingham before joining Liverpool's Radio City in 1977. After succeeding Elton Welsby as sports editor, he began commentating during a successful era for Liverpool F.C. in the late 1970s and early 1980s. He was also commentator during Everton F.C.'s successful spell in the 1980s. Tyldesley also covered the two disasters of Heysel and Hillsborough (although he wasn't present at the latter), as well as covering other events such as rugby league, the Grand National and even the Pope's visit to Liverpool.
ITV
He joined North West England ITV company Granada full-time in 1989 after co-hosting their Sportsweek programmed when at Radio City. He was selected as part of ITV's FIFA World Cup team at the 1990 World Cup as the fifth man behind Brian Moore, Alan Parry, John Helm and Gerry Harrison and covered his first live game for ITV the following year - a European Cup Winners Cup match between Tottenham Hotspur F.C. and FC Porto.
BBC
Tyldesley joined the BBC as they obtained highlights rights for the new Premier League in 1992. For four years he worked as a commentator on Match of the Day and Sportsnight. Despite proving himself as an accomplished performer, he was unable to dislodge John Motson and Barry Davies and only covered four live matches in his entire time there. These were two matches at the 1994 World Cup, one at Euro 96 and an FA Cup tie between Sheffield United F.C. and Aston Villa F.C.. After being consigned to basketball at the 1996 Olympics he left the BBC.
Return to ITV
He returned to ITV in September 1996 as a straight replacement for Alan Parry and his first match back was a UEFA Cup tie between Arsenal F.C. and Borussia Monchengladbach. Although Tyldesley was behind the veteran Brian Moore in the pecking order, it did afford him greater opportunities for live football with the UEFA Champions League, FA Cup and Football League matches on offer. He started commentating on major finals, the first being the 1997 League Cup followed by the 1998 Champions League final. After the 1998 World Cup Moore retired and Tyldesley became ITV's senior commentator. Since then, he has commentated on every Champions League final since 1998. He also led ITV's commentating teams at the European Football Championships of 2000 and 2004 and the World Cups of 2002 and 2006.
Computer games
Tyldesley and Andy Gray provide commentary in EA Sports FIFA 06, FIFA 07 and FIFA 08 (only on current generation consoles) football video game and in the UEFA Champions League 2004-2005 game. Tyldesley is also heard in another of EA's football games, 2006 FIFA World Cup along with Andy Townsend. He also provided commentary for Championship Manager 2, the last in the franchise to feature verbal analysis.
Quotes
"Can Manchester United score? They always score!" directly before the corner that brought United's equaliser Champions League final
"Are you sitting comfrotably, neither am i!" as the clock ticked away in the 1999 UEFA Champions league final and Manchester united looked like losing the game
"Beckham... into Sheringham... and Solskjaer has won it!" Then a pause for a moment as the Manchester United supporters in the Nou Camp cheered at the late goal scored by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to secure the 1999 UEFA Champions League trophy for Manchester United, "Manchester United have reached the promised land!"
"He's saved it! The European Cup is returning to England, and to Anfield: Liverpool are Champions of Europe Again!" - speaking after Jerzy Dudek had saved the decisive penalty from Andriy Shevchenko to ensure Liverpool had won their fifth European Cup
"You weren't planning on going much out in May were you? Rooneyyy! (Clive Tyldsley scream) How good was that? The big night gets a big finish from Wayne Rooney! Rattled it past Dida and in stoppage time Manchester United have got themselves a lead to take to Milan! And Athens moves back onto the horizon!" (Champions League semi-final 2007 1st leg Manchester United - AC Milan)
"Yorke! He's brought down by Peruzzi, Cole will finish it off! (short pause) Full speed ahead Barcelona! Manchester United are in sight of the European Cup final again. Andy Cole has surely made that a certainty now!" (Champions League semi-final 1999 2nd leg 2-3 goal Juventus - Manchester United)
"Remember the name: Wayne Rooney!" (First Rooney's goal in Premiership against Arsenal when he was not even 17 years old)
Criticism
Tyldesley has attracted a number of criticims from fans and television viewers on his style of commentary. This includes his transparent support for Manchester United, his melodramatic style, his accuracy, and his alleged inability to pronounce foriegn players' names correctly. Also noted by viewers has been his tendency to reference Manchester United's 1999 Champion's League victory in Barcelona at every possible opportunity - even during games with no ostensible link to United, or even to English football.
External links
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