NUFC ‘MEMORIES’ FOR SALE IN AID OF OUR FOUNDATION

Clive Tyldesley has been a sports commentator since 1976, initially on the radio and then, for the last 30 years, on television. Mostly covering football, he has learned a few things about preparation and readies himself before every match by creating a detailed commentary sheet.

Clive Tyldesley during Scottish Premiership Match at Ibrox

Handwritten and laid out with his personal colour coded system, the commentary sheets include all the player and team statistics and information Clive will need during a match. He describes them as his ‘safety net.’

Naturally, notes from some the most special games he has covered are of great interest to football fans and he now produces a range of quality reproductions of those commentary sheets, which are available to buy.

In a career spanning more than 40 years and including World Cups, European Championships, UEFA Champions League, the FA Cup and countless Premier League games, Clive often commentated on Sir Bobby Robson’s teams.

He became a friend of Sir Bobby and has kindly donated a very special Newcastle United commentary chart to be auctioned in aid of his Foundation.

The notes, which have been signed by Clive, are sure to be sought-after by Newcastle fans and were originally prepared in 1996 ahead of Kevin Keegan’s Newcastle United taking on Manchester United at St James’ Park.

It was a game the Magpies memorably won 5-0, with goals from Darren Peacock, David Ginola, Les Ferdinand, Alan Shearer and finished by an audacious long-range lob from Phillipe Albert in the 83rd minute.

Clive says: “Not every day is a memorable day when you support a club like Newcastle United, but the golden days are made all the more special by the days of hurt.

“On their special days, Kevin Keegan’s team played like every Geordie wants every Newcastle team to play. With big hearts and smiles on their faces.

Alan Shearer with Clive’s commentary chart from this special game

“The presence in that side of local heroes like Alan Shearer and Steve Watson just strengthened the connection between the club and the fans. The Toon were top of the league and playing like champions. Philippe Albert’s crowning glory that day was the split second that many Newcastle fans would most want to re-live. Howay 5-0! I would love it…

“These commentary charts are a unique memento of memorable matches. They are prints of the research notes that I compile for every game. They do not tell the story of that game but merely provide a screen grab of the two teams at kick-off. You add your own memories of the game as you look at the chart.

“Sir Bobby was working his magic in Barcelona at the time but a number of that team were still at St James’ when he made his homecoming three years later and still share the fondest memories of him. It was a victory in his image.”

Alan Shearer, who scored the fourth goal in the game and is a Patron of our Foundation,
says: “This is a fantastic thing for Clive to do. I have one of these charts myself, from this match funnily enough!

“I have great memories of the game and it’s fascinating reading the stats and information Clive felt would be important before kick-off.

“I hope it will be very popular with Newcastle supporters and raise a good amount for the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation.”

The auction begins on Tuesday 15th December (10am) and ends on Friday 18th December (noon). Bids can be made on Twitter and Facebook, via Sir Bobby Robson Foundation supporters, LUKE 1977. To make a bid, please follow their Twitter (@LukeRoper) and Facebook page (@Luke1977Clothing).

Clive’s commentary sheets are available to buy from: www.commentarycharts.com