BBC sports coverage is becoming unwatchable

Back when I was a kid, just before the internet flattened the world, I spent my Saturday afternoons listening to live football on the radio. The signal came and went, voices bobbed up above the waves of static and sank back down into their crackly depths, but the experience was always magical. I clung to the commentators’ every word and watched the ball dance from player to player in my mind.

Probably the most memorable voice was the Northern Irish snarl of Alan Green. Anyone familiar with BBC Radio 5 Live will know his style: irate and indignant, liable to explode at any moment about some mistimed pass or bad tackle — but always, always entertaining.

Green has worked for 5 Live for more than 45 years, but is now being shuffled out by the BBC. In March, he spoke to the Times about the decision: ‘I was basically told “You don’t fit our profile.” I got a fair idea of what they meant by just listening to the output of the last year or so… There are new people in favour. They match the requirements in terms of “bants” — banter with presenters.’

Does a young boy listening to the football care that the commentator is an old, white Northern Irish dude?

Two months prior, Green’s fellow 5 Live presenter Mark Pougatch was also given the boot. At the time, Sky’s Jeff Stelling tweeted: ‘Sad that his total professionalism will be replaced by someone who is considered to be more in touch with the youth of today, even if they know sod all about football or interviewing. He can’t say it so I will.’