Man of the Match

As a seasoned journalist with decades of experience under my belt, I can confidently say that I have had the privilege of interviewing some truly remarkable individuals. Among them, one man stands out as a shining beacon – Mr. John Lynam. His life story is a testament to resilience, adaptability, and an unwavering passion for football.

Des Lynam, with his twinkling eyes, seems to express some sadness over the relentless passage of time. The man who once humorously spoke about a life of ‘quick ladies and leisurely horses’ is showing signs of wear and tear. He hasn’t taken a dip in the sea near his coastal home for many years now, and it appears that golf, too, has become a thing of the past for him.

At age 80, it’s hard to believe, but the wear and tear on your body really starts showing. My eyesight isn’t as sharp as before, my back aches… It seems that the human body, despite its resilience, wasn’t intended to endure this much time, I suspect.

As a cinephile, I must confess, there’s an occasional pang of nostalgia. Lynam, now 81 (and celebrating 82 in September), is more than willing to reminisce about the past, but he prefers to keep moving forward rather than dwelling in it. However, I found myself wondering if perhaps he holds onto any keepsakes from all those extraordinary sporting events he witnessed over six decades of broadcasting. Interestingly enough, that’s not the case.

“We moved house recently and I dug out a box of all the press accreditations I had from all around the world. I threw them all out. The past is the past, I’m interested in the present and the future,” he says.

For now, let’s focus on the current situation. This month marks the 60th anniversary of Match of the Day, a football show that has been airing for an impressive length of time. Lynam, who hosted it from 1988 to 1999, remains one of its longest-serving presenters. But, is he still an avid fan?

If the BBC gets rid of Match of the Day, they’re finished

He mentions he never misses it, then notes, “In truth, it’s quite misleading, isn’t it? The ‘Match of the Day’ program was fitting for Kenneth Wolstenholme, who hosted it from 1964 to 1967 since they only showed one match. However, now they broadcast every game. Consequently, it doesn’t accurately represent the content, but they won’t change it because of its immense popularity and recognition.”

Speaking about Gary Lineker, who was initially an inexperienced co-commentator when he was the host, and now, after 25 years, is undoubtedly the longest-serving MotD presenter, Lynam notes that he wasn’t confident as a pundit at first. “He was hesitant to criticize anyone early on,” says Lynam. However, after I departed, Lineker quickly took over and adapted swiftly to the role. While not everyone may appreciate him, in my opinion, I believe he does an outstanding job.”

As a passionate film enthusiast, I must say that when Lynam decided to leave, ITV pulled off an audacious move akin to cross-channel talent poaching. Fast forward to today, I often wonder if he regrets his decision to switch vessels. At the time, the BBC was pushing me to my limits with an overwhelming workload, as I was handling everything – quite flattering but also exhausting. Then came ITV with a significant reduction in work and unbelievable compensation that was too good to turn down. In retrospect, I should have taken a moment to weigh my options more carefully. Looking back, I miss being part of Match of the Day. It’s like an integral piece that fits perfectly within the BBC’s programming lineup. If they ever decide to phase it out or can no longer afford it, their days might be numbered.

The exuberant Ian Wright, often referred to as ‘Wrighty’, has completed his tenure on MotD, having served for 27 years. After announcing that he needed a break, Wrighty bid farewell to his colleagues. Lynam believes his departure will be deeply felt.

It’s unfortunate that he hasn’t had the opportunity to showcase his talents earlier, given his growth into an exceptional broadcaster and analyst. He communicates sincerely, which resonates with audiences, and he never lacks personality. I recall his initial appearance on MotD; as a player, he expressed his excitement by saying, “Des, this is my Graceland” because he had been a devoted fan since childhood.

Who do you think could take on the role left vacant within our team, given the circumstances? Before it’s announced that Joe Hart and Theo Walcott will be analysts or hosts, he expresses his preference, albeit with a subtle, friendly jab reminiscent of Lynam. “I believe Micah Richards would be the right choice, don’t you agree? He has a good sense of humor and a deep understanding of football. Of course, he represented both England and Manchester City, though I didn’t find him particularly impressive while playing for either team. I think he needs to tone things down a bit, but his views are solid nonetheless. As for comparing anyone to Wrighty, I don’t think it’s possible.”

Money dictates. Gary Lineker is a very lucky chap

Back in 1969, when I was just starting out at the BBC as a 26-year-old sports reporter, my annual salary was a humble £2,030. Fast forward to today, and Gary Lineker, earning £1.3 million annually, manages to make that much in just a few hours – a stark contrast to the whole year I spent back then. Is he worth every penny? That’s a question for debate, but one thing’s for sure, it’s an intriguing comparison!

In my perspective, it’s quite perplexing to compare the value of a TV presenter with that of a nurse or firefighter. I’ve had the privilege to witness the dedication and bravery of both in my life, and their work is priceless. However, the harsh reality is that the market dictates the worth of services, even if it seems unjust. A person speaking into a TV screen may not seem as valuable as someone who saves lives, but the financial rewards are often disproportionate. It’s unfortunate, but this is the world we live in. This particular individual has had an extraordinary double career, with his first one paving the way for his second. I can’t help but feel a sense of envy and admiration towards him, knowing the opportunities he’s seized.

Lynam has a wealth of significant sports achievements behind him, not limited to football; his accomplishments span the Olympic Games, Wimbledon, and many other events. However, cricket remains an exception for him, as he prefers to focus on what he’s familiar with.

Among all those memorable events, is there one that holds the greatest significance for him? Without a doubt, it’s the Ali vs. Foreman fight in the Rumble in the Jungle held in Kinshasa in 1974. At that time, I was just an infant, yet I found myself among lions, so to speak. In the lead-up to this historic bout, Ali extended invitations to a small group of British journalists to visit his bungalow. There were only about five of us, and as I happened to have a tape recorder, I was seated next to Ali on a couch. He was demonstrating how his jab would outmaneuver Foreman right in front of me. He was jabbing at my nose, making me flinch and move my head back. Then, I had an idea: “I’ll keep my head still, and if he hits me and causes a nosebleed, I’ve got the scoop.”

“Of course with Ali’s immaculate timing he still stayed a quarter of an inch away from my nose, and then at the end he used that phrase he used many times with other people, ‘You ain’t as dumb as you look.’”

Much like Ali, I too was admired for my good looks, often referred to as the “heartthrob” in tabloids. I was even affectionately called “the housewives’ favorite”. Rory Bremner, a renowned satirist, went as far as crafting a little verse for me: “Wine ’em, dine ’em, Lynam.” However, unlike Ali, I don’t seem to have embraced this recognition as warmly.

As a passionate moviegoer, I’ve come to realize that those who stand to gain most from it are often the best critics when it comes to attraction – or in this case, endorsement. Lynam, a figure renowned for his distinctive purple top-lip tuft, was sought after for product promotion. He colored his iconic mustache to boost Nintendo’s Super Mario game and secured a deal with the whiskey brand Jameson due to their claim that it was as smooth as he was. Reflecting on the experience, Lynam recalls the photoshoot vividly. “We headed to David Bailey’s studio, where about ten people from advertising were present. But he sent them all packing. He captured my image in a matter of minutes, and then we proceeded to break a bottle of Jameson’s.”

Currently, Lynam downplays any discussions about his charismatic persona, stating that he was the “unattractive swan” seated beside Ruud Gullit and Alan Hansen during the 1996 Euros. Later, he shares an update on his close friend Hansen, who is now recuperating nicely after a serious hospital stay. “I recently received a call from Alan, with whom I’ve always maintained contact,” Lynam says. “I was deeply worried when I kept reading about his health. I hesitated to call his wife for fear of the news being grim. We had written her a note expressing our affection. Anyhow, he called me and we had a pleasant conversation. He’s made a full recovery – he’s back on the golf course, carrying his own bag.”

Though Lynam claims otherwise, it’s clear he yearns for the bygone era. Inquire about the current game, and he expresses regret over the high number of international players joining the teams. He shares his feelings as, “I’ve been a Brighton fan forever, but I can hardly recognize the team now. There are only about two players I know; the rest are foreigners, primarily from South America and various other places.”

The introduction of video assistant referees (VAR) also dismays him. “You can’t be offside by a fingernail. It might be factually correct but it’s not right in the ethos of the game. Scrap it altogether, go away and think about it and bring it back if it’s good enough when you’ve got it right. But at the moment it’s creating more dissension than we have ever had before.”

Since Lynam’s time, there has been an increase in the number of female football analysts. What are his thoughts on this? “I don’t have any issues with female commentators, but when you’re providing analysis about the game, you should have played it at the level you’re discussing – that is, men’s professional football.” After a moment of reflection, he adds, “That’s just my opinion.”

Among journalists, there’s hardly anything more satisfying than conversing with someone like Lynam, given his extensive background in the field. Despite his health issues and occasional memory lapses, he remains a legendary figure within our profession. However, when reflecting on his own career, he tends to play down his accomplishments. “I take pride in the work I’ve done up to a certain extent, but then I remind myself it’s not all that significant,” he says. “Still, I’m content with how well I did in broadcasting; I’m happy about that.”

A more fitting phrase than “I did quite well” may not be engraved on Lynam’s tombstone when the time comes.

2024-08-14 19:35

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