Familiar and famed footballing voice Peter Drury is being dubbed “the GOAT” of football commentators after his performance throughout the World Cup — the final especially.
Renowned throughout the Premier League as well as UK coverage of European and international football, Drury has long been considered as one of the most compelling commentators to ever grace the game, and it would seem Qatar 2022 has only further reinforced that reputation.
The 55-year-old broadcaster was up in the BBC gantry for the final on Sunday evening and, as per, delivered nearly three hours of absolutely incredible commentary. The kind of stuff that makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand up.
“Scaloni will be fated, Messi will be sainted”. Oof.
People have described his thunderous reaction as everything from “iconic” and “the greatest of all time”, to the only voice capable of exactly “how to express [the] historic moment”. Beyond the now viral commentators watching back in Argentina, we tend to agree.
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Despite remaining dutifully impartial and equally excitable no matter what player or game he is watching, Drury has made no secret of his love of Messi down the years, famously stating in an interview that “he appears to do what is impossible, he waves through spaces that don’t exist… he sort of defies physics”.
He even went so far as to say that although Cristiano Ronaldo has looked and played “like an athlete” throughout the majority of his career, “Messi looks like the boy next door and performs like a god”.
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With that in mind, he certainly enjoyed the opening goal of the final against France, when Messi slotted home the first of many penalties on the night, not to mention the rest of the Argentine goals too.
Then came his utterly spellbinding and spine-tingling speech about the little magician’s legacy not only in Argentina but in football as a whole. Seriously special stuff.
Waxing lyrical about Drury’s oratory ability, one commenter called it “simply beautiful”, another said “gave [them] goosebumps” and another said, “Peter Drury is the best commentator. Always gives me chills, he lets the pictures breathe and talk for him. Perfect.”
But the soon-to-be legendary speeches didn’t stop there. As if his sultry sporting tones throughout the tournament, rapturous declarations and eye-watering odes to a genius weren’t already enough, he then went on to remind those watching that Messi was once like any other fan: a little kid who loved football.
While many are still busy debating Qatar and FIFA’s decision to drape Messi in a ceremonial robe before lifting the trophy, most were just happy to see Messi finally live out his dream. Drury was one of them.
This particular piece of commentary no doubt left millions catching their breath at home now welling up, regardless of their nationality — this particular fan included.
"Lionel Messi has shaken hands with Paradise,Climbed into a galaxy of his own, the Little boy from Rosario has his Crowning Moment" 🇦🇷💙
The 2022 World Cup final cemented two GOATs in the annals of football history: one of them is a magician on the pitch, the other is a poet watching profoundly over it.
Stockport County to introduce safe standing at Edgeley Park
Danny Jones
Stockport County will soon be introducing safe standing at Edgeley Park as part of the pending stadium development plans.
The Hatters may have just missed out on promotion to the Championship, but it’s still been an exciting few years for the club that has seen a fresh surge in young new supporters in addition to their passionate lifelong followers.
In more fantastic news for fans, County have announced that brand new safe standing sections will be installed across the ground.
Confirming the news on Wednesday, the club said: “After receiving all necessary approvals and working closely with safety authorities, we are set to install rail seating in two designated areas of the stadium.
Stockport County is thrilled to announce the introduction of safe standing areas at Edgeley Park ahead of the upcoming 2025/26 season.
Visit the club site for more details on this exciting new development ⤵️#StockportCounty
— Stockport County (@StockportCounty) May 28, 2025
As detailed on the club website, there will be two new dedicated safe-standing/rail-seated zones – one in each main stand: the back five rows of seats in the Cheadle End’s upper tier and the back two rows of the Vitality Railway End.
With Stockport Council greenlighting plans for League One side to expand their home capacity, this reconfiguration is set to accommodate a total of 849 County fans and/or supporters.
Although this all depends on final approval from the Safety Advisory Group (SAG), the aim is to deliver a “vibrant and dynamic environment for both home and away fans at Edgeley Park.”
The official statement goes on to explain that the push for safe standing is not just to provide more matchday options for those in attendance, but in hopes of further “enhancing the atmosphere and improving the overall matchday experience for those who prefer to stand.”
Couty has insisted that “The rail-seating system incorporates a barrier for every seat, ensuring that supporters are protected from a sudden surge or crowd movement.”
Safe standing is part of the larger Stockport County stadium redevelopment plans.
Addressing early concerns in a ‘What This Means for You’ section, they go on to add: “Season ticket holders currently in the affected rows will be contacted directly by the Club over the coming weeks with details on their options, including relocating to a seated area if they prefer not to stand.
“Information regarding new season tickets and matchday tickets in the safe standing areas will be released in due course.
“We believe this is another significant step forward for Stockport County and will further enhance the already incredible atmosphere at Edgeley Park. We look forward to seeing and hearing the renewed energy in these new sections.”
The safe standing plan is set to be introduced for the upcoming 2025/26 season, with the administration hoping to make this their last in the third tier. Do you see them going up next year?
Featured Images — The Manc Group/Press Shot (via SCFC)
Sport
Rio Ferdinand is stepping away from TNT Sports after more than a decade
Danny Jones
Manchester United legend and ex-England international Rio Ferdinand has announced he will be stepping away from TNT Sports, leaving more than a decade with the broadcaster.
Ferdinand has spent the best part of the last 10 years serving as a leading pundit and analyst, as well as hosting his own ‘Rio Meets’ online series – the interview format of which has been replicated on his YouTube channel.
However, after having been one of their main anchors both under the BT Sport and even more so since the inception of the rebranded TNT Sports Football umbrella, the 46-year-old has confirmed he has now quit their regular coverage following the Champions League final this weekend.
In a lengthy statement on social media, the ex-Man United defender, who also played for Leeds, West Ham, Bournemouth and QPR, described it as a “difficult decision.”
Taking time to thank the network for their “tremendous support” over the years, especially those “behind the scenes, whose work often goes unseen but has been essential to our success.”
The talented centre-back retired in May 2015 after more than 500 appearances and 81 national team caps, making an almost immediate switch into punditry and remaining a household name.
Rio has also remained a popular figure at Old Trafford and, indeed, across various parts of Manchester since leaving United in 2014.
For instance, his self-titled Foundation has carried out some truly transformational local outreach across various boroughs, as it has back in his home city of London.
Responding to the news, TNT Sports said nothing more than “Thanks for everything, Rio”; meanwhile, fellow former Red, Danny Simpson (who retired last year and also works as a pundit/presenter for MUTV) added: “You’re going to be missed, bro. Every time you’re on, you give us all the mad insight.”
However, he has promised he will remain in the media industry, continuing to work under the Rio Ferdinand Presents digital brand and pursuing “other business interests”.
With his ‘Rio Reacts’ and ‘Vibe with FIVE’ series regularly raking in millions of views, he might not be on the box during European nights but you’ll still be seeing plenty of him.
Danny Jones -
19th December 2022 
