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.
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.
‘We couldn’t see f**k all’ – Bizarre Altrincham FC FA Cup clash played in thick fog leaves fans baffled
Daisy Jackson
Altrincham FC’s FA Cup clash with Notts County descended into extraordinary scenes on Saturday night as thick fog engulfed the stadium, leaving supporters struggling to see the players and even broadcasters questioning what was happening.
The bizarre first-round encounter at the J Davidson Stadium saw visibility deteriorate so badly that fans resorted to holding their mobile phone torches aloft in an attempt to follow the action.
What should have been a memorable FA Cup occasion turned into something resembling a scene from a horror film, with the players increasingly disappearing into the mist.
Altrincham Today captured the surreal atmosphere, posting: “Extraordinary scenes here at the J Davidson Stadium. Visibility down to a few yards. No-one has any idea what is going on. Supporters holding mobile torches aloft, like it’s an Elton John concert. It is still 2-2, we think.”
Even television coverage struggled to make sense of the conditions.
Broadcaster Jason Mohammad joked: “Bear with us at the end of the game. We’ve not seen much of extra time where we are. We don’t have the foggiest what’s going on down the away end. Fair play – cracking game and atmosphere!”
One social media user summed up the extraordinary conditions simply, writing: “Altrincham v Notts County is currently being played in a cloud.”
Others were equally bewildered, with one supporter asking: “Spot the ball anyone? #FACup @altrinchamfc on the verge of another league scalp – although who knows what’s going on?!”
Another fan was less than impressed, posting: “Shame we couldn’t see f**k all for most of it”.
Even the stadium’s advertising boards were struggling to make an impression. James Timpson joked: “It was hard to see the investment we have made in to our pitch side advertising boards last night at Altrincham V Notts County!”
It was hard to see the investment we have made in to our pitch side advertising boards last night at Altrincham V Notts County! https://t.co/trW9imo7Xu
The unusual conditions also prompted questions over whether the match should have continued.
One Notts County supporter reflected after the game: “Unlucky guys you gave us a great game and the conditions didn’t help still say it should have been abandoned even though we scraped through!!!! Good luck for the rest of the season lads”.
And it was certainly a dramatic contest before the fog took centre stage.
Notts County initially took the lead through Jacob Bedeau in the 28th minute, but Altrincham responded through Lucas Weaver just before half-time.
Lewis Banks then put the hosts ahead in the 59th minute, raising hopes of another famous FA Cup upset against higher-league opposition.
@altrinchamfc If you say so https://t.co/6ub5YiIogD
However, Callum Roberts equalised for County in the 84th minute, sending the tie into extra time.
With neither side able to find a winner, the match went to penalties, where Notts County eventually prevailed 3-2 to book their place in the second round.
While the result was heartbreaking for Altrincham, the extraordinary conditions ensured the match would be remembered for more than just the football.
For supporters at the J Davidson Stadium, it was certainly one FA Cup tie where seeing wasn’t necessarily believing.
Exciting new CGIs released of £500m Therme Manchester wellness resort as construction continues
Emily Sergeant
As construction continues on Manchester’s massive wellness resort, some new CGIs have now been released.
In case you need bringing up to speed, construction of the £500 million Therme Manchester wellness resort officially began last September after several years of planning, and now developers have released some exciting new CGIs – with an update on how construction is going, as a new milestone has been reached this week.
Set to open to the public in 2029, Therme Manchester will become one of the largest urban wellbeing resorts in the world.
Visitors can expect to make the most of a 10 pools – both lagoon and wave pools included – thermal bathing, multi-sensory sauna rituals, steam rooms, 18 water slides, affordably-priced luxury spa therapies, and health and fitness experiences.
Exciting new CGIs released of Therme Manchester have been released / Credit: Supplied
At the heart of Therme Manchester will be three distinct zones, each offering a different way to spend time at the resort.
Play will bring together water-based fun and attractions for families and visitors of all ages, and Restore will focus on thermal bathing and restorative experiences designed to help visitors unwind, while Relax will offer spaces for relaxation and wellbeing.
The latest CGIs showcase the design as it develops – including the resort’s extensive indoor and outdoor spaces, and its 53,000sq ft wellbeing garden.
Construction is still underway on the £500m wellness resort / Credit: Supplied
The plans also feature a new public plaza designed to strengthen connections between the resort and the Bridgewater Canal.
Professor David Russell, CEO of Therme UK, said: “We have taken the opportunity to refine the design, improve how traffic and parking are managed and create a more welcoming environment for everyone arriving at the resort.
“We are creating an even better experience for visitors while supporting more efficient and sustainable operations.”
Danny Jones -
19th December 2022 
