The commentator pairs Zizou with Paul Barnes and recalls accidentally kicking a croaked seagull...
Ian Murtagh
What was the first match that you ever attended?
York against Peterborough. My brother took me but, to be honest, I was very young and I don’t remember a thing! The first match I properly remember was in February 1980: I went on my birthday with my father and a group of school friends. We saw York beat Portsmouth 1-0 in the Fourth Division and my standout memory was the Portsmouth goalkeeper, Peter Mellor, who had the most incredible blond hair. I thought he was really famous when it was pointed out that he’d played for Fulham against West Ham in the 1975 FA Cup Final.
That’s an easy one: the two strikers from the first Football League team ever to amass 100 points, during the 1983-84 [Fourth Division] season under Denis Smith. My favourite player was Keith Walwyn, along with John Byrne, who has since become a very good friend of mine. Big Keith was quite amazing at that level. At the time, I thought he was the greatest footballer in the world.
Were you any good at football yourself?
Not bad, although I was probably destined to do what I do now for a living, rather than become a professional. I knew what to do, but I couldn’t always do it myself. I started out as a left-winger, switched to left-back and ended up at centre-half. I was captain for nearly every team I played for – possibly better with my tongue than my feet! Maybe I’d have been a half-decent coach; I began doing the badges but didn’t follow it through.
How much has a matchday changed from when you were a kid?
Quite a lot if I’m commentating, obviously, although nothing beats going to a game as a supporter. I realise how lucky I am in my job. I go to all of the big games – World Cup finals, FA Cup finals, big European ties – and I wouldn’t change my life one little bit. However, I’m more excited when I have a Saturday off and get to watch York, meeting my lifelong mates in the pub a couple of hours before kick-off, having a good old chinwag and then heading to the stadium.
Who from York’s past would you bring back for the current side?
My instant reaction is to say Big Keith Walwyn, but I’ll actually go for Paul Barnes [right], dad of Harvey Barnes. He bagged a brace at Old Trafford when York beat Manchester United 3-0 in the League Cup. He was just a pure goalscorer.
Which player do you like even though they neve
