Guardian - 22 January 2018, 17:01 (+ 2287 days 2 hours and 10 minutes) Eurofootball
It feels particularly poignant to reflect on the power of football on the radio to honour the memory of Jimmy Armfield, whose voice, warmth and experience made him a master of the artIt was the sound that the goal made that was particularly stirring. As Mohamed Salah’s impudent chip against Manchester City arced into the net the noise it made was noticably different to the goals that had preceded it. The crackle from the crowd had added gasps of astonishment to mark the spectacular, plus the dizzying wow-factor to signal a flurry in quick succession, mixed in with standard goal jubilation. For those of us who somehow managed not to be watching the game of the season live on telly (or even luckier in the flesh at Anfield), it still managed to be an extraordinary radio experience. The emotional soundscape made it obvious this was no ordinary match.“It’s the old line that the pictures are better on radio,” smiles Rob Nothman, former producer and now a broadcasting coach. “If you have a quality commentator who can take you to the ground, describe what’s going on, give you all the information, but can also paint pictures, it’s evocative, it can grip you.” Continue reading...