Guy Mowbray
Encyclopedia
Guy Mowbray is a football commentator on British television, who supports York City FC, and is currently with the BBC. Whilst working for Eurosport
at the 1998 World Cup
, he became the youngest ever television commentator on a World Cup Final, aged 26. He became the youngest ever BBC World Cup Final commentator at the 2010 competition
at the age of 38.
network - a series of premium rate phone lines containing club information and commentaries - he went on to join BBC Radio York
. There he covered rugby league, cricket and football before moving on to commercial station Sun FM
in Sunderland and then to Metro Radio
in Newcastle.
Whilst at Metro Radio he started commentating on Sunderland AFC's matches alongside summariser Eric Gates
. During this time he became sports editor and won Sony and EMAP Radio Awards.
. In little over a year he became their primary commentator, leading the team (which included Archie MacPherson
, Angus Loughran
, Tim Caple
and Mike Vince) at the 1998 World Cup
in France. At 26 he became the youngest broadcaster to commentate on the World Cup Final for television, and also picked up the Newcomer of the Year award from the Royal Television Society.
. In five years with the network he covered live Champions League, Football League and Italian matches. He was a leading member of the commentary team on the ill-fated ITV Sports Channel. He also contributed commentaries at Euro 2000 and Euro 2004 as well as the 2002 World Cup
. ITV also held the rights to Premiership highlights for three seasons and Mowbray was a regular commentator alongside Clive Tyldesley, Peter Drury and Jon Champion on the Saturday night highlights show.
. Due to a change in format, the BBC send commentators to all the Premiership matches played on a Saturday, so Mowbray has been able to commentate on a Premiership match virtually on a weekly basis. Mowbray has established himself in the BBC team and has been afforded live match opportunities in the FA Cup, as well as travelling to the 2006 World Cup, Euro 2008 and the women's World Cup in China in autumn 2007.
Alongside his BBC commitments Mowbray has also contributed frequently to Eurosport's coverage since 2004 and has occasionally covered matches for Setanta Sports
. In January 2010, Mowbray became presenter for the Yorkshire & Lincolnshire edition of the BBC's regional football show Late Kick Off
, and the following month he commentated on the BBC's live coverage of the 2010 Football League Cup Final
.
Mowbray was the chosen commentator for the BBC's coverage of England games at the 2010 World Cup following the retirement of John Motson
from live commentary duties.
with his family. He also plays cricket regularly for Bishopthorpe Cricket Club second team, and occasionally for the first team.
Eurosport
Eurosport is a pan-European television sport network operated by French broadcaster TF1 Group. The network of channels are available in 59 countries, in 20 different languages providing viewers with European and international sporting events...
at the 1998 World Cup
1998 FIFA World Cup
The 1998 FIFA World Cup, the 16th FIFA World Cup, was held in France from 10 June to 12 July 1998. France was chosen as host nation by FIFA on 2 July 1992. The tournament was won by France, who beat Brazil 3-0 in the final...
, he became the youngest ever television commentator on a World Cup Final, aged 26. He became the youngest ever BBC World Cup Final commentator at the 2010 competition
2010 FIFA World Cup
The 2010 FIFA World Cup was the 19th FIFA World Cup, the world championship for men's national association football teams. It took place in South Africa from 11 June to 11 July 2010...
at the age of 38.
Early career
Emerging in the mid-nineties through the ClubcallClubCall
ClubCall has been providing football coverage since 1986.-History:ClubCall was launched as a club-by-club telephone service by BT Supercall , the UK's first audiotext business set up by Kieran Levis following deregulation of the telecoms industry,which for the first time allowed fans to listen to a...
network - a series of premium rate phone lines containing club information and commentaries - he went on to join BBC Radio York
BBC Radio York
BBC York is the BBC Local Radio service for the English county of North Yorkshire.- Early history :The station was launched at 6:30am on 4 July 1983 - a launch featured on the cover of the Radio Times...
. There he covered rugby league, cricket and football before moving on to commercial station Sun FM
Sun FM
Sun FM is a radio station serving the City of Sunderland and also available in Tyne and Wear, northern parts of County Durham in England. It broadcasts on the frequency 103.4 MHz and plays a mix of contemporary and classic popular music alongside local news, travel and covered ground breaking...
in Sunderland and then to Metro Radio
Metro Radio
Metro Radio is an independent local radio station based in Newcastle upon Tyne and broadcasting to Tyne and Wear, County Durham and Northumberland. The station's output is principally contemporary pop and dance music...
in Newcastle.
Whilst at Metro Radio he started commentating on Sunderland AFC's matches alongside summariser Eric Gates
Eric Gates
Eric Lazenby Gates is an English former football player born on 28 June 1955 in Ferryhill, County Durham. He was a striker.He started 345 times for Ipswich Town with another 39 appearances as a substitute, under Bobby Robson, scoring 96 goals and winning the UEFA cup in 1981 and FA Cup in 1978 ; ...
. During this time he became sports editor and won Sony and EMAP Radio Awards.
Eurosport career 1997 to 1999
In April 1997 he made his television debut with EurosportEurosport
Eurosport is a pan-European television sport network operated by French broadcaster TF1 Group. The network of channels are available in 59 countries, in 20 different languages providing viewers with European and international sporting events...
. In little over a year he became their primary commentator, leading the team (which included Archie MacPherson
Archie Macpherson
Archibald "Archie" Macpherson is a Scottish football commentator and author.He has been commentating on Scottish football, via both radio and television, for over four decades.- Early life :...
, Angus Loughran
Angus Loughran
Angus Loughran is a British sports commentator and pundit. He appears regularly on television, newspapers and websites, usually concentrating on horse racing and football, such as the Daily Telegraph and online bookmaker Easyodds, writing tipping sections every day...
, Tim Caple
Tim Caple
Tim Caple is a British television commentator who has covered every major Sporting Event from Olympic Games to World Cup's.His Career began in Local Radio before progressing via ITV...
and Mike Vince) at the 1998 World Cup
1998 World Cup
1998 World Cup may refer to:*1998 IAAF World Cup*1998 Men's Hockey World Cup*1998 Women's Hockey World Cup*1998 FIFA World Cup*1998 Alpine Skiing World Cup...
in France. At 26 he became the youngest broadcaster to commentate on the World Cup Final for television, and also picked up the Newcomer of the Year award from the Royal Television Society.
ITV career 1999 to 2004
Mowbray departed Eurosport and Metro Radio in 1999 to join ITVITV
ITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK...
. In five years with the network he covered live Champions League, Football League and Italian matches. He was a leading member of the commentary team on the ill-fated ITV Sports Channel. He also contributed commentaries at Euro 2000 and Euro 2004 as well as the 2002 World Cup
2002 World Cup
2002 World Cup may refer to:*Alpine skiing – 2002 Alpine Skiing World Cup*Athletics – 2002 IAAF World Cup*Field Hockey:** 2002 Men's World Hockey Cup** 2002 Women's World Hockey Cup...
. ITV also held the rights to Premiership highlights for three seasons and Mowbray was a regular commentator alongside Clive Tyldesley, Peter Drury and Jon Champion on the Saturday night highlights show.
BBC career 2004 to present
However with the loss of Premiership highlights to BBC in 2004 Mowbray found his prospects at ITV limited and turned freelance, gaining regular work with the BBC on Match Of The DayMatch of the Day
Match of the Day is the BBC's main football television programme. Typically, it is shown on BBC One on Saturday evenings during the English football season, showing highlights of the day's matches in English football's top division, the Premier League...
. Due to a change in format, the BBC send commentators to all the Premiership matches played on a Saturday, so Mowbray has been able to commentate on a Premiership match virtually on a weekly basis. Mowbray has established himself in the BBC team and has been afforded live match opportunities in the FA Cup, as well as travelling to the 2006 World Cup, Euro 2008 and the women's World Cup in China in autumn 2007.
Alongside his BBC commitments Mowbray has also contributed frequently to Eurosport's coverage since 2004 and has occasionally covered matches for Setanta Sports
Setanta Sports
Setanta Sports is an international sports broadcaster based in Dublin, Ireland. Setanta Sports was formed in 1990 to facilitate the broadcasting of Irish sporting events...
. In January 2010, Mowbray became presenter for the Yorkshire & Lincolnshire edition of the BBC's regional football show Late Kick Off
Late Kick Off
Late Kick Off was a BBC One regional television football programme which was launched on 18 January 2010 and ran up to and including the 2010-2011 football season...
, and the following month he commentated on the BBC's live coverage of the 2010 Football League Cup Final
2010 Football League Cup Final
The 2010 Football League Cup Final was the final match of the 2009–10 Football League Cup, the 50th season of the Football League Cup, a football competition for the 92 teams in the Premier League and The Football League. The match, played at Wembley Stadium on 28 February 2010, was won by...
.
Mowbray was the chosen commentator for the BBC's coverage of England games at the 2010 World Cup following the retirement of John Motson
John Motson
John Walker Motson OBE ,AKA Motty, is an English football commentator on both television and radio as well a well known moter. He made his name as 'Moty' after he moted out the entire Huddersfield huddersfield cheerleaders team. writer.-Biography:The son of a Methodist minister, Motson was educated...
from live commentary duties.
Personal life
Guy Mowbray lives in YorkYork
York is a walled city, situated at the confluence of the Rivers Ouse and Foss in North Yorkshire, England. The city has a rich heritage and has provided the backdrop to major political events throughout much of its two millennia of existence...
with his family. He also plays cricket regularly for Bishopthorpe Cricket Club second team, and occasionally for the first team.
Awards
- 1998 Sony Radio Academy AwardSony Radio Academy AwardsThe Sony Radio Academy Awards , started in 1983, are some of the most prestigious awards in the British radio industry. They are run by ZAFER Associates in association with the Radio Academy...
(for Metro Radio commentary on Sunderland v Charlton play-off final) - 1999 Best Newcomer in TV Sport Royal Television SocietyRoyal Television SocietyThe Royal Television Society is a British-based educational charity for the discussion, and analysis of television in all its forms, past, present and future. It is the oldest television society in the world...