I’ve always felt a certain way about commentators and those that cover football matches. Without me needing to say it, I think most would agree that commentators provide the voice for our football memories.
We can provide a decent list of international commentators based on our following of different leagues and International football and while there’s been a few locally, we cannot boast of an outstanding list. Sure there is a handful who are easily recognisable and they stand above the rest.
Last weekend I had to come up with a shortlist to provide the commentary for the Women’s Friendly between our National Team and Panama. This was to be the first international match on local soil in almost two years and there was particular anticipation and hunger to see some live football action.
I felt it was important to have a familiar voice, one that draws your attention if you were browsing the channels without seeing what was actually taking place. My final choice was the veteran in the business Ruskin Mark.
I’ve always felt that the selection of a commentator or commentary team depended on three factors: the longevity of their careers; the major tournaments and big matches the persons covered; and any unforgettable commentary lines and particular moments or matches associated with them. The T&T versus Mexico World Cup qualifier in 2005 which the “Warriors” won to book their place against Bahrain to me was possibly the best match of the campaign. And to this day, I get goosebumps whenever I hear Ruskin’s call on the match, capturing the moments, in particular Stern John’s two goals on either side of the half. I feel the same way about Ashford Jackman, While he’s been off away from the spotlight of television for many reasons, there’s something about hearing his voice and automatically getting flashbacks of the “Road to Italy” matches that were aired on TTT in the late 80s. Some said he was not lively enough but there was still something about hearing Dave Lamy that was satisfying, maybe because it took me back to the early 90s when TV 6 had just come on the scene and there was live English League football on the station with Lamy and Bernard Pantin on set. And who could forget Selwyn Melville, notably for his College and local domestic football wrap up on his Sports Sunday programme. That's the era I grew up in.
When you think of many of the most iconic moments in football, it often isn’t just the images that play in your head. Usually, they are accompanied by an ingenious line of commentary, perfectly capturing the moment with a few choice words.
You always know when you’ve got a good commentator because they define moments in the game forever.
Commentary is the hardest job in football broadcasting and commentators will always divide people on aesthetic grounds. . No rehearsals, no second chance, no idea what is about to happen. As much as I like it, I wouldn't take up the offer to do it at matches simply because I think one must possess specific skills for it.
I've got history with Ruskin as well. As a just-turned 17-year old out of secondary school, I got an early opportunity to cover College Football in the mid-1990s and Ruskin along with the deceased Sedley Joseph were the preferred choices for live radio coverage on 98.9 FM at the time. Ruskin never hesitated to pick me up on St Vincent Street and take me along to games with his cameraman, the deceased Sean Vincent, to matches throughout the island on a weekly basis. I miss having individuals such as Sean in the media zone at local football events.
A new breed of commentators emerged over the past decade or two, each of whom seemed to have their own “angle”. Commentating well is deemed not to be sufficient anymore. Some see it fit to criticise everything or to prioritise what the coach, players and entire team should be doing while also trying to force the viewer or listener to believe they know exactly what is taking place in the coach’s or player’s mind. And then there are those whose “angle” is to shout about everything. Because even a diagonal ball early in the game has its own little frisson.
It’s all subjective of course, but even I know there are good commentators. Generally, those that stick to describing the action, give you a rounded picture of the match and keep matters in perspective. As for co-commentators, the less said the better. Usually, they tend to be those who have played the game, so bear this in mind, I would prefer they stick to the experience and expertise to share views on certain aspects of the game. And yes there is some difference in commentating for television as opposed to radio.
The truth is the importance of a TV football commentator should not be underestimated.
Editor's note:
Shaun Fuentes is the head of TTFA Media. He was a FIFA Media Officer at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa and the 2013 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Turkey. The views expressed are solely his and not a representation of any organisation. shaunfuentes@yahoo.com.