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.
ADVERTISEMENT
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”.
ADVERTISEMENT
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.
Bury FC announce partnership with big name local brand after ‘milestone’ season
Danny Jones
Following their landmark North West Counties Football League title, Bury FC are toasting their trophy success with a significant new partnership, as multinational franchise JD Sports will be sponsoring the side moving forward.
The Premier Division champions sealed what they have dubbed a “milestone” first piece of silverware and first promotion for some time with a 4-0 win over Burscough FC last weekend: a moment which feels like a far cry away from the uncertainty of recent years.
A NWCFL Division One North title did come during the Bury AFC era.
It was only back in 2019 that Bury were dismissed from the EFL entirely, splintering into two teams after 125 years; fast forward to 2025 and now the Greater Manchester club are looking to reconsolidate their position in the football pyramid with efforts such as this latest commercial move.
Also founded in Bury back in 1981, JD Sports is the latest and most established local organisation to sponsor The Shakers to date, marking a big step forward for those around Gigg Lane.
While the exact nature of their collaboration (i.e. featuring logo on kits, around the stadium and so on) is yet to be detailed, nor has the initial length of the partnership deal been confirmed, getting the brand on board is still a big coup.
Not only is the retailer a well-known name in sports apparel and high-street fashion, with their own line of more than 90 JD Gyms across the UK too, but as a fellow local turned nationwide business from the same borough, their success story is also one that Bury FC can take plenty of inspiration from.
With a league record-breaking 8,719 fans filing into their historic home ground for the final game of the season, demonstrating an extraordinary level of support and loyalty throughout the community, teaming up with JD is an extension of “reignited pride” and brings football back to the heart of the local area.
As for JD – which also boasts a glowing global presence in over 36 countries – sports partnership manager Abi Haywood went on to add: “We’re thrilled to be partnering with Bury FC, a club that sits at the heart of our community. As a company founded in Bury, this partnership means a lot to us.
“It’s about more than football – it’s about giving back to the town that helped shape who we are. We’re proud to support Bury FC and to play a part in the club’s future, both on and off the pitch.”
Over 8,700 fans in attendance at Gigg Lane to see Bury FC win 4-0, confirming their first promotion since being expelled from the EFL in 2019…
The Shakers signed off the announcement by stating: “As Bury FC continues its mission to climb back up the football pyramid, the Club remains deeply committed to regaining its place at the heart of the community.
“With the support of local businesses, lifelong fans, and a town full of pride, Bury FC is building a future worthy of its historic name.”
Here’s hoping this is just the start of an already brilliant comeback and that Bury never need come back from so close to the brink again.
Marcus Rashford reportedly sheds light on his future
Danny Jones
Manchester United star and current Aston Villa loanee Marcus Rashford has reportedly shed some light on his future, i.e. whether or notit remains at Old Trafford.
Wythenshawe’s world-famous winger and England international has spent the last few months on loan at Villa after being sidelined by Man United head coach Ruben Amorim.
Since arriving in Birmingham, he’s managed to discover some of the form that made him one of the Premier League‘s most talented players and still one of the most sought-after in Europe, registering four goals and 5 assists in 16 games under new manager Unai Emery.
Having already labelled him ‘one of the world’s dangerous attackers’ before his arrival at Villa Park was confirmed, going on to insist that he is steadily “regaining confidence”, it’s clear that his new gaffer would happily keep and it seems like Rashford now feels a permanent move elsewhere might suit him.
Marcus Rashford not in any hurry to decide his future. Will wait until the summer before talking to anyone. https://t.co/RtQqbKKs9j
While BBC Sport’s Simon Stone reported that Rashford is “not in any hurry” to decide where he goes next, the football writer and reliable transfer source did note that the 27-year-old at least “feels it is unlikely he will play for Manchester United again under Ruben Amorim.”
It is thought that the Portuguese ex-midfielder and former Sporting CP boss had taken issue with Rashford over his effort levels in training and application in games, the suggestion being that the lifelong Red Devil wasn’t quite buying into his ideas.
As a result, Stone goes on to add that “while his United contract is due to run until 2028, and it is not completely out of the question Rashford might return, sources close to the player do not see an obvious way back into the Old Trafford fold.”
Not unlike the situation between Erik ten Hag and Jadon Sancho, with the fellow forward being ousted from the squad following a fall-out, leadership might prove a similar obstacle in this case as well.
That being said, and given the fact that Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS are looking to build around their new manager as opposed to starting from square one yet again, a reconciliation between Amorim and Rashford would be required. Given how much he’s enjoying his football at Villa, it seems doubtful.
"It worked for both parties" 🤝
Gary Neville believes that Manchester United letting Marcus Rashford leave was still the right' decision 🔴 pic.twitter.com/DNAmejWKC3
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 23, 2025
What little we do know regarding Rashford‘s future is that he looks to have ruled out a move to London and would prefer to settle at a team playing Champions League football, with Aston Villa in with a strong chance of finishing in the European places once again.
Villa are said to have an option buy clause worth around £40 million; other continental clubs said to still be interested in his signature include Barcelona and PSG.
You can watch the highlights from Rashford’s last game against familiar rivals Manchester City, in which he grabbed yet another goal for Villa, down below. He could have had two, were it not for the post…
Do you think Rashford should try and make a Villa move permanent, return home or look elsewhere?
Danny Jones -
19th December 2022 
