Calling the action in any sport is no easy task. You have to be informative and entertaining. Very few can pull it off, fewer still can become legendary and have their words remembered for all time. But some do. And some just have the voice. Here’s our top 5 commentators of all time from across the sporting world and media form.

1. Kenneth Wolstenholme (Football)

“Some people are on the pitch…they think it’s all over…it is now!”

There isn’t an Englishman (or woman) alive that hasn’t heard that wonderful piece of commentary, even if they aren’t quite sure what it relates to. It is, of course, Wolstenholme’s legacy from the 1966 World Cup final, just after Geoff Hurst scored to put England 4-2 up against West Germany. A comedy sports quiz in the UK even bore the name “They Think It’s All Over”.

For these reasons alone, regardless of the rest of his long and distinguished career, Wolstenholme tops our list. You don’t touch generations and imprint on their minds a phrase without being the top of your tree.

2. Richie Benaud (Cricket)

Australian Richie Benaud, as many cricket fans will agree, had a voice made for commentary. It was rich, relaxed, slow and wonderful. His knowledge of the game, gained as both a player and commentator, was second to none and he was, frankly, a joy to listen to.

What stands Benaud out though, is his stance on free-to-view cricket. Adamant that the sport should remain free for all, he quit his UK broadcasting career after 42 years when Sky Sports won the rights to Test match cricket from Channel 4. It was a sad day for us.  We hope one day we might hear his dulcet tones again.

3. John Madden (NFL)

There is no other name as synonymous with American Football as John Madden’s. As a player, head coach and commentator for all four major television networks in the States, we doubt there is an American alive today that doesn’t know the name Madden. And generations more will continue to learn his name through his endorsement of the video game John Madden’s NFL.

Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2006, Madden retired from broadcasting in 2009 at the age of 73 and we reckon there more than a few football fans who shed a tear that day. He’d talked them through games for 30 years with a style all of his own.

4. Murray Walker (Formula One)

“Go, go, go!”

Those are the most memorable words for us, whenever the green light shone at the start of a Formula One Grand Prix. Murray Walker could make some epic mistakes during commentary but there hasn’t been a better man to talk you through a race than him. When racing was more exciting than it is these days he was in his element.

When it became slightly duller, more of a procession led by Michael Schumacher, Walker tried his hardest to make it sound better than it was – and for the most part, he succeeded, even if it was through humorous gaffes. I used to tune in just to hear him, less concerned about the result of the race than interested in what Walker was going to say next. Here’s how Wikipedia sums him up:

It has been stated that as a car arrived for a pit stop during a race he uttered a Spoonerism by saying “…I’ll stop the startwatch!”. Of an injured, absent driver: “He’s watching us from hospital with his injured knee.” And most brilliantly: “That Williams is unique, except for the car in front, which is identical!”.

Genius.

5. David Coleman (General)

David Coleman is not fondly remembered by many in the commentating game. His retirement from the BBC after 40 years supports this view – he went quietly with no recognition. Nevertheless, he was given an OBE for services to broadcasting and the Olympic Order for his services to upholding the Olympic ideal.

His career took in 11 Olympic Games, eight Commonwealth Games and several World Cups. As a person he may not have been well liked, but as a commentator his achievements are there for all to see.

We include him here, however, for one reason alone – like Murray Walker, Coleman was famous for several on-air gaffes and he has been immortalised in satirical magazine Private Eye with a bloopers column entitled Colemanballs – a word he invented about himself!

One example:

“And the line up for the final of the Women’s 400 metres hurdles includes three Russians, two East Germans, a Pole, a Swede and a Frenchman.”

What can I say? We appreciate humour as well as good quality commentating.

Who do you think we’ve missed? Who is your favourite commentator of all time? Let us know in the comments.