Football commentary is full of so much hot air - now's the time to listen to the fans

Football commentary must be the toughest gig.

I’m lucky enough to remember David Coleman, Barry Davies and John Motson: that was just Saturday night on BBC.

The following day, ITV’s coverage would bring the voices of Brian Moore, Hugh Johns and even a youthful Martin Tyler.

On the radio, there was Bryon Butler, Peter Jones and Mike Ingham.

Listen to Butler describe Diego Maradona’s second goal against England in 1986. It’s available on YouTube - and it’s poetry.

Every England fan can recite Kenneth Wolstenholme telling the nation it was all over when Geoff Hurst scored against West Germany.

Thanks to Johns, Pele wasn’t just Pele; he was also El Rey, the king.

Motson spoke about Malcolm Macdonald biting “the hand that used to feed him” when he headed one home for Arsenal against Newcastle.

Davies urged us to “look at his face, just look at his face” when Franny Lee banged in a 25-yarder for Derby at Maine Road.

And Moore knew before David Seaman that Ronald Koeman was “going to flip one” when the Dutchman lined up to take a free-kick in a vital World Cup qualifier.

Tyler, of course, is still going strong on Sky Sports, and will always have his “Agueroooo” moment.

Magical phrases that live long in the memory.

Hard acts to follow.

But sometimes it feels like we’re now being anaesthetised by cliches and claptrap.

It’s only the glaring mistakes that compel me to keep listening.

According to the commentary at Anfield on Sunday, Hughie Robertson scored Cardiff’s winner in the 1927 FA Cup final, not as the record books would have us believe Hughie Ferguson.

I had to hit the mute button when the three-man commentary team covering Arsenal and Manchester City tied themselves up in knots after the Gunners were denied a penalty.

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