http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23434089

 

James Alexander Gordon, one of the most recognisable voices in British broadcasting, is to retire after 40 years reading the classified football results on BBC radio.

He recently had surgery to remove his larynx after being diagnosed with cancer and his voice is no longer strong enough to broadcast.

James Alexander Gordon reveals what it is like reading 5 live's classified football results

"It's with great sorrow that I have to give up the most exciting part of my career, the classified football results," said the 77-year-old Scot. "They have been my life."

 

 

Definitely in the category of "not much going on off-season news" - but this saddened me today.

 

Some of my earliest football memories are listening to James Gordon reading the results out and listening to Johnathan Pearce belt out inhuman noises when Chelsea scored on their Channel 5 Cup Winners Cup games.

A sad day. He's been a big part of football (along with the music that precedes him on R5). He's got a great voice and will be hard to follow.

I like the way you could tell the result by his tone.

(Light, optimistic, tone): Tottenham Hotspur 1

(Switching to a more sombre, level tone): Arsenal 0

Hopefully this starts to usher in a new era for the BBC.

 

They hold onto their Sport staff too long, yes I know this guy only read the results but looks at how long Hansen and Lawrenson have been doing MOTD despite constant bad feedback.

Hopefully this starts to usher in a new era for the BBC.

They hold onto their Sport staff too long, yes I know this guy only read the results but looks at how long Hansen and Lawrenson have been doing MOTD despite constant bad feedback.

Have a heart mate. James Alexander Gordon was a part of people's footballing lives. When most football kicked off at three pm on a Sat and before the internet, you'd be on the way home with a transistor radio at your ear listening to this bloke. A lot still do now. Sad news imo.

A sad day. He's been a big part of football (along with the music that precedes him on R5). He's got a great voice and will be hard to follow.

I like the way you could tell the result by his tone.

(Light, optimistic, tone): Tottenham Hotspur 1

(Switching to a more sombre, level tone): Arsenal 0

Yes! A sad day indeed.

The "Nil" was always so pronounced and you could tell what was about to come.

I wish him all the best, hope he recovers and has a comfortable life.

Have a heart mate. James Alexander Gordon was a part of people's footballing lives. When most football kicked off at three pm on a Sat and before the internet, you'd be on the way home with a transistor radio at your ear listening to this bloke. A lot still do now. Sad news imo.

 

The guys voice is no doubt synonymous with football in this country and he will forever be an iconic part of English football coverage.

 

But times have changed and the whole classified results thing is dated much like nearly all of the BBC's football coverage. Does anyone even do the pools anymore?

 

As a TV License payer I'm just saying that occasions like this are a good time to usher in new ideas for the coverage rather than just dishing out the same old dross each week.  

Hopefully this starts to usher in a new era for the BBC.

 

They hold onto their Sport staff too long, yes I know this guy only read the results but looks at how long Hansen and Lawrenson have been doing MOTD despite constant bad feedback.

 

I heard Hansen is giving it up after this season. Personally, if he goes, they should bring in Pat Nevin, as a football pundit i think he is one of the best around right now. He gives a proper analysis of a game unlike a certain Alan Shearer who is useless, i could do what Shearer does.

Edited July 25, 201312 yr by Scott Harris

I heard Hansen is giving it up after this season. Personally, if he goes, they should bring in Pat Nevin, as a football pundit i think he is one of the best around right now. He gives a proper analysis of a game unlike a certain Alan Shearer who is useless, i could do what Shearer does.

 

Nevin is the only BBC pundit who seems to go down well with the audience.

 

Hansen and Lawrenson have long been very stale and Robbie Savage is literally a running joke on the BBC Sports website.

 

I hate Garth Crooks with a passion, I always found him tedious but I found him overly outspoken during the Terry/Ferdinand racism row considering the BBC are meant to be impartial on all matter his ramblings bordered on spiteful in my eyes. 

 

Shearer as you say is just boring, they could get anyone to state the obvious like he does. 

 

Lee Dixon was alright but they let him do to ITV. I thought what I saw of Vialli during the Confederations Cup he was a decent pundit but I think he works for Sky Italia though I could be wrong. 

 

Is it obvious I really dislike MOTD?

A real giant, whenever I read a page of results his voice springs immediately to mind.

 

I even immitate him when from time to time when reading FM scores aloud...
 

 

I hate Garth Crooks with a passion, I always found him tedious but I found him overly outspoken during the Terry/Ferdinand racism row considering the BBC are meant to be impartial on all matter his ramblings bordered on spiteful in my eyes. 

 

 

^ Moron

I'd like to smack him in the face with a sack of wet sh*t. 

He's one of those people that only a mother could love; then again I bet even she has problems coming to terms with him.

Been replaced by a woman.

 

 

 

 

 

Rubbish. 

Well f**king sh*t

She might be good though