Bill Mclaren died today, aged 86. He was my favourite sports commentator of my lifetime - RIP.
Bill McLaren
Bill McLaren
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Bill was certainly in the top drawer. A bit special.
dl
dl
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he made the scottish international games something special. 
a proper gent.
a proper gent.
Just been watching the 10 oclock news and saw that. Quite upset at the news as I played rugby for over 11 years and have watched it for longer and in that time the voice of Bill Mclaren was always present and by far my favourite 
It was wonderful to see that film of his last commentary. He looked so full of emotion, but had that Borders stoicism holding it all back.
A special man.
A special man.
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Could make a dull match worth watching,even if you didnt know the rules
v sad
his voice was the soundtrack to my childhood -- with my father watching the 4 nations in the sitting room on a TV the size of small house
his voice was the soundtrack to my childhood -- with my father watching the 4 nations in the sitting room on a TV the size of small house
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Quote:
sorry but Bill was so good he makes Murray sound about as good as Eddie Jordan-He was a true commentary genius who whould spend days researching the teams before a match-just listen to how many facts and figures he would add to his commentary-even someone who didnt understand rugby would be able to follow it. All IMO of course.Originally Posted by stilover
I'd say Murray Walker is/was the best.
cheers Richie
My title was intended to be rhetorical and Mclaren was certainly the best in my eyes.
Murray Walker at his best was entertaining but he stayed too long. In his last years at the BBC he was a sad caricature of himself who could barely keep up with his own demonstrative style. Amazingly they were the same age.
Mclaren was humourous without being crass, judicious not judgmental, better informed on each team than many of the team staff, impartial to a level that must have been painful at times. He was inspiring, informed and simply brought a game to life in the way that his contemporaries, Murray, Allis, Maskell never quite did. They were good in defining their sports, Mclaren was just that little bit more special.
Murray Walker at his best was entertaining but he stayed too long. In his last years at the BBC he was a sad caricature of himself who could barely keep up with his own demonstrative style. Amazingly they were the same age.
Mclaren was humourous without being crass, judicious not judgmental, better informed on each team than many of the team staff, impartial to a level that must have been painful at times. He was inspiring, informed and simply brought a game to life in the way that his contemporaries, Murray, Allis, Maskell never quite did. They were good in defining their sports, Mclaren was just that little bit more special.
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Quote:
his voice was the soundtrack to my childhood -- with my father watching the 4 nations in the sitting room on a TV the size of small house
Ditto, i grew up listening to the sound of his voice, there was something strangely comforting about hearing it even last night when watching it on the news.Originally Posted by hodgy0_2
v sadhis voice was the soundtrack to my childhood -- with my father watching the 4 nations in the sitting room on a TV the size of small house
Sad day indeed.
astraboy.
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Quote:
Murray Walker at his best was entertaining but he stayed too long. In his last years at the BBC he was a sad caricature of himself who could barely keep up with his own demonstrative style. Amazingly they were the same age.
Mclaren was humourous without being crass, judicious not judgmental, better informed on each team than many of the team staff, impartial to a level that must have been painful at times. He was inspiring, informed and simply brought a game to life in the way that his contemporaries, Murray, Allis, Maskell never quite did. They were good in defining their sports, Mclaren was just that little bit more special.
How perfectly put.Originally Posted by Trout
My title was intended to be rhetorical and Mclaren was certainly the best in my eyes.Murray Walker at his best was entertaining but he stayed too long. In his last years at the BBC he was a sad caricature of himself who could barely keep up with his own demonstrative style. Amazingly they were the same age.
Mclaren was humourous without being crass, judicious not judgmental, better informed on each team than many of the team staff, impartial to a level that must have been painful at times. He was inspiring, informed and simply brought a game to life in the way that his contemporaries, Murray, Allis, Maskell never quite did. They were good in defining their sports, Mclaren was just that little bit more special.
A sad loss indeed.
RIP :-(
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watching the video clip above took me right back to Childhood saturday afternoons....Originally Posted by astraboy
Ditto, i grew up listening to the sound of his voice
just waiting for the wrestling and final footie results now
(East Fife 4, Forfar 5) !!! hahahahaha i used to check the pools for my dad !!
happy days !
Pictures from his funeral today. Very moving to see so many, and so many of the great and the good from the world of rugby.
Bill McLaren
Bill McLaren
Heads up - There is a special on BBC1 at 1pm today.
Bill McLaren - Flower of Scotland
It will be iPlayer later if you miss it.
Bill McLaren - Flower of Scotland
It will be iPlayer later if you miss it.
A sad loss indeed. Some of the imagery he conjured up whilst commentating was classic. 'Arms and legs waving like an octopus'. RIP.