Tributes to Kenneth Wolstenholme

Legendary BBC sports commentator Kenneth Wolstenholme dies aged 81.

E-mail your tributes.

For more than 20 years Wolstenholme was the voice of football on television, commentating on the FA Cup final, World Cup and internationals.

He will be remembered by most for uttering the words "they think it's all over, it is now" during England's 1966 World Cup win at Wembley.

Wolstenholme left the BBC in 1971 and went on to work for other media organisations.

Send your abiding memories of one of the greats of the game

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The true 'voice of football'. The tone, tenure and resonance of his voice seemed to be a perfect match for football and he has never been replaced. He was to football what Bill McLaren is to rugby. He should never have left the scene so quickly.
Brian Wadsworth, England

Everybody remembers Richard Dimbleby from the same era but not what he said. Ken's words at the end of the World Cup final will live forever. If my memory serves me, he said at the beginning of the game, "that's the ball, and that's what it is all about". An equally telling comment.
Howard Denton, Australia

We will always remember you

Sam Endacott, USA

I never quite understood why the BBC dropped him so prematurely - as it seemed to me. He then resurfaced a few years later commentating on the north east games. Living in County Durham at the time I always thought "what a coup" for Tyne Tees to have signed the world's most famous football commentator! Never heard any more dulcet tones before or since. Sad day.
David Ratcliffe, Toronto, Canada

The '66 final was the last big game I heard him call before leaving England for Australia, he was the greatest and I have never forgotten him.
John W. Burnett, Australia

Dear Kenneth, you were football for us as we grew up and played street soccer while imitating your memorable commentaries. We will always remember you.
Sam Endacott, USA

I was the lucky one to have seen Ken on the TV when I lived in England, and also to be at the 1966 World Cup final. I remember rushing home that night just to hear Ken's comments on the England win. To me Ken was always 'Mr Football' and will be remembered for his honest opinion of a given team. Ken will be sadly missed by all.
Graham Salter, Australia

The fantastic 1966 World Cup commentary by Ken Wolstenholme will be in our minds forever. We will miss you Ken. God bless you.
George Nipah, UK

None of the present pundits can compare to one of the true pioneers of football commentary

Robert McNeill, Scotland

The final whistle has blown for Kenneth Wolstenholme. I've often thought that the golden era of football commentary was over - it is now.
Rex, Scotland

Farewell to a splendid gentleman. You brightened my childhood with your wonderful word pictures of football.
Michael Sanderson, Australia

I was sad to hear of the death of Mr Kenneth Wolstenholme, he along with Mr R Glendinning, were the voice of football and sport in the dark days of no TV.

I remember many commentaries of cup finals and Auld Enemy encounters listening on tenterhooks. None of the present pundits, with their felt pens and diagonal arrows, can compare to one of the true pioneers of football commentary. I convey my condolences to his family.
Robert McNeill, Scotland

This man is a legend, the greatest ever commentator, especially due to his immortal quote from the World Cup final in 1966. The clip of Hurst's final goal would be nothing without Wolstenholme's commentary, how ITV wished they could have signed this great commentator.

Hopefully this year England could truly pay their respects to Kenneth by winning the World Cup again! RIP Kenneth Wolstenholme...
Sir Chris, England

A thoroughly modest, professional and mild-mannered man

Kevin, England

Ken Wolstenholme always was and always will be, to me, the greatest commentator ever. He could have taught so much to the ones we have today.
Colin Dainty, England

I was only 13 when England won the World Cup, but I can remember it as if it were yesterday. I can still here Ken's voice as Bobby Moore was carried off with the trophy.
Bob Haste, England

1966 was the year I went to my first football match. That, plus the World Cup final, marked a turning point in my life and a never-ending love affair with soccer. It was only enhanced by Kenneth Wolstenholme and for that I will always be grateful. A thoroughly modest, professional and mild-mannered man. He has left an indelible mark on the world game.
Kevin, England

Just a few weeks ago I watching Gazetta Italia on Channel 4 and the perfect tone of his voice was still there. Smooth, calm, unique and never missing a trick on the pitch. The words will live on perpetually. You are the best Kenneth.
Steven Barnett, England

His understated manner of commentary set him apart from others and reflected that period of British football.
Brian Herbert, England

He was a real pioneer of television broadcasting

Ken Richardson, UK

Ken Wolstenholme is a legend in his own lifetime - not only famous for the catchphrase that will always make the English heart swell with pride, but famous for describing Anfield as "Beatleville" on the very first Match Of The Day. His relaxed and composed style was the benchmark that modern commentators would do well to follow. Thanks for the memories Ken, and the good times.
Dave Nightingale, England

I was at Wembley in 1966 to watch England win the World Cup so I did not hear Kenneth Wolstenholme as he said those words. But later, when I did hear the commentary, I thought "that's exactly how we felt in the crowd when the goal went in. It is all over now. We have won."
Brian Roach, UK

Ken Wolstenholme was the first commentator to recognise that the new TV medium required quality words rather than quantity to complement the images. In that sense he was a real pioneer of television broadcasting.
Ken Richardson, UK

Farewell to a gentleman and a true sportsman. He will be sadly missed.
Peter Byrne, Ireland

When I used to see you at Burnden Park or the Reebok Stadium you seemed such a genuine and warm man. Bolton was very proud of you and you will be sadly missed.
Philip Heys, England

Ken Wolstenholme was the crème de la crème in football

Derek, ex-pat, Brazil

I will always remember growing up as a kid in Dublin with my Dad and brothers all around the TV listening to the cup finals and especially the World Cup final in 1966. He was the ultimate professional and the greatest football commentator of all time. So many people in sports broadcasting could learn so much from a man who is without equal or peers.
Noel Kenny, Canada

I still get tingles down my spine every time I watch Geoff Hurst smash the ball into the roof of the net and hear Ken's immortal line. All football fans, not just the English, will always remember him. With the World Cup coming, I would love to watch that great final again in colour so that youngsters and adults alike can appreciate Ken in his finest hour, and to get the country in the mood to repeat that great feat.
Billy, Durham, UK

He set the standard for all other football commentators. Ken Wolstenholme was the crème de la crème in football - a voice no Englishman could tire of listening to.
Derek, ex-pat, Brazil

The first memory I have of football is watching the grainy replays of the 1966 World Cup final. The composure of the delivery of that famous line whilst people were running onto the pitch will stay with this Irishman forever.
Simon Lowther, Ireland

Every Englishman, wherever they are, has his immortal words etched on their brains and their hearts

Ben Griffin, France

I had the privilege to take him to lunch in London a few years ago and his stories will remain with me forever. A real Gent from an era long past, unfortunately. I send condolences to his family.
Alan Railton, Hong Kong

As a tribute, and bearing in mind the impending World Cup this summer, what better way to salute this fine commentator than to re-run the whole of the '66 final, culminating in that memorable climax.

I was ten at the time, it was a fantastic day, and for those who have never seen England win the World Cup, showing this would stir the nation and give our thanks to Kenneth Wolstenholme.
Nigel Chapman, England

I was brought up on Ken's commentaries and he was very much part of my football childhood. I always hoped that he would be asked back to the BBC to do the odd commentary but unfortunately this was not to be. It is a sad, sad loss of someone who had a unique talent, the use of one's own voice.
Steve Hawes, UK

It is a truly sad day. One of my most treasured possessions is a small piece of paper with the immortal "they think it's all over" phrase, handwritten and signed by the great man himself. Today it is more poignant than ever.
Daren Mootoo, France

People of my generation (around 50) grew up as television did, and Kenneth Wolstenholme is the first name we think of in terms of TV football commentary. He was the one who taught us the game. As well as his most remembered comment on the day in 1966, I always will remember: "it's 12 inches tall, it's made of solid gold and it means that England are the world champions." Like many others, I wish he hadn't been away from national TV for so many years since. Fondest memories.
John Youle, England

We salute you, Ken

Robert Roberts, England

Quite simply the finest commentator/journalist ever. Every Englishman, wherever they are, has his immortal words etched on their brains and their hearts. A man who will be greatly missed.
Ben Griffin, France

Very, very sad to hear this sad news. My thoughts go out to Ken's family, who can be rightly proud of a man who captured the essence of a nation's excitement....forever.
Jonts, Dubai

Immortal words inscribed in the minds and memories of any football fan worth their salt...England 4-2 Germany, 1966 World Cup final. Never forgotten. May you rest in peace. My best wishes go out to your family and friends. Football will sorely miss you, but will always remember those famous words.
P Bentley, USA

A great man who is a great loss, not just to his sport, but to a grateful nation. WE SALUTE YOU, KEN.
Robert Roberts, England

You were the voice of football from my earliest memories. You will be remembered forever.
Blakie, England

I've just found out about your passing. Words can't express how much you meant to England and all the world with your superb commentary. We all remember you for the words "it is now", but I also remember your first words on Match of the Day the following season when you saluted West Ham's World Cup heroes. You've been a great servant to football and to England. God bless you Ken. May you rest in peace.
Cliff Babbs, Hong Kong

He was the ultimate voice of football

Richard Savill, England

I was not around in the early days but even as a Scotsman I appreciate the memorable line that is so fondly remembered by English fans. He will undoubtedly be missed but his famous line will never be forgotten.
Mark Walsh, UK

He was the ultimate voice of football - the Murray Walker or Bill McLaren of football, if you like. He saw it all, from the Magic Magyars and the Matthews Final to Pele, England and the 1966 World Cup triumph.

I was born a couple of generations too late to be able to hear him commentate live on a match but his voice has lived on until now and will do forever. When I grow up I am hoping to become a football commentator and if I can be a tenth as good as Ken then I will be the happiest man alive. Rest in peace, Kenneth.
Richard Savill, England

I was brought up with Ken's commentaries. He understood the game and didn't bother with waffle or endless streams of statistics. No ranting and raving, no self-opinionated clap-trap, just good honest professionalism. RIP.
Graham Martin, England

Kenneth was an avid Bolton Wanderers fan and it was a privilege to see him at the last ever match at Burnden Park where he uttered his famous line at the end of the match.
Paul Bennett, UK

He was the best football commentator of all time

Rob Hayhurst, England

It is often said that 'actions speak louder than words' but in the case of Kenneth Wolstenholme I think many will disagree, in particular his immortal words during English football's finest hour. May he rest in peace.
Simon Burrows, United Arab Emirates

Ken W was the best football commentator of all time. No waffling, no prattling on about nothing and no stating the obvious. It was a treat to watch a game with him. Today's commentators seem to think that commentating is talking for the whole game. They should be forced to watch and listen to many hours of Ken W's performances before they are allowed near a microphone. I'm quite looking forward to the afterlife now - Ken W will be doing the commentating!
Rob Hayhurst, England

Even though I'm Welsh I will never forget Saturday 30th July 1966. I was only eight years old but I remember watching every televised game of the World Cup that year. It was the start of my love affair with football. Kenneth Wolstenholme was the first commentator who I identified with. He was the first and the best. His passing is an end of an era!
Nigel Richards, Wales

The sixties was a great football era, particularly 1966. I thought going to Wembley for the first time and seeing Everton winning the FA Cup was memorable, but then along came the World Cup. I saw every game played at Goodison Park. We saw the likes of Pele, Eusebio, Garrincha and so many more.

Portugal against North Korea was just one of the amazing games. Then I watched the World Cup final on TV with a group of friends. Like most people I clearly remember Kenneth Wolstenholme's words culminating in "it is now". Every time I hear it still brings tears to my eyes. Thanks Kenneth for being part of a football legend.
David Johnson, England