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Exclusive Q&A with York City fan Guy Mowbray, the youngest ever television commentator on a World Cup Final.

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At the 1998 World Cup, you became the youngest ever television commentator on a World Cup Final, aged 26. Was that the highlight of your career?

It was certainly the breakthrough. Not just the final, but the whole of that tournament. I was lucky enough to be commentating on virtually a game every day for Eurosport, and their blanket coverage in the days before catch-up TV meant that I was on a lot! As regards career highlights, there are so many in this job - but certainly every one of the 3 World Cup finals I’ve done would be in the top 10.

What’s been the best game you’ve commentated on this season?

It’s been a strange season in that I’ve seen lots of very decent games, but not many that I’d consider blockbusters to remember forever. A standout would be Liverpool 3-3 Arsenal in January - a game that I nearly missed due to horrendous traffic problems. Also, Bayern Munich v Wolfsburg in the Bundesliga for BT Sport in September. Robert Lewandowski’s 5 goals in 8 minutes after coming on as sub was just breathtaking to witness and a real moment of history. The worst was also for BT - PSG 0-0 Real Madrid in the Champions League. So much hype, so many stars, and yet so little happened.

Which game that you commentated on had the best ever atmosphere?

I’d go back to 2001, and Celtic beating Juventus 4-3 in the Champions League. The noise all night was just incredible, as was the virtuoso performance of the then 36-year-old Lubomir Moravcik. I can remember the roar that greeted one of the goals being too much for my headphones to take and all I could hear for a minute or so was crackly white noise.

What’s the best piece of skill you ever witnessed in a game?

Multiple pieces of skill from Zinedine Zidane, whenever I watched him play. He did things that you’d only normally see on a FIFA game, and he did them so gracefully and effortlessly that it almost looked like slow motion. Messi and Ronaldo are rightly heralded as greats and would be above Zidane in most people’s all-time lists, but a lot of their wizardry is partly due to their speed of foot. Zidane didn’t seem to need to quicken things up to make an opponent look foolish.

Who would you rather have in York City’s side – Aguero or Kane?

Sergio Aguero. He can win a game on his own, whereas Kane would need some sort of service from team-mates - and he isn’t going to get that from our lot!

You’re York City manager for the day and you have £5m to spend on a player, who do you sign?

Well obviously I’d sign a whole squad for that money - one that should walk the National League. If I had to sign just one then I’d approach Sunderland for Lee Cattermole. He’s got the right attitude to help drag us back into the league, and wouldn’t be too starry to drop down a level or four! He wouldn’t have to move house either. It’s a ridiculous question by the way!

Where will José Mourinho end up next season? Would you have him managing England at the Euros?

At the moment it’s looking likely that he will after all be at Manchester United - but that could change, I guess. If not there then I have no idea - maybe the Portugal job if they don’t impress this summer? I would think he’ll want another big club job first though. I wouldn’t have him managing England at the Euros because I think Roy Hodgson’s doing a fine job. Hopefully ‘fine’ will become 'great’!

Do you prefer to watch the match in the stands or in the commentary box?

I’m going to have to say both for that one. Obviously I love my job and am privileged to get the best view possible of games, but there’s nothing like going to watch in relaxed mode when off-duty.

What made you want to be a commentator?

Not being good enough to play. I’ve been obsessed with football my whole life and have always had an encyclopedic memory of clubs, players, kits, etc. I always wanted to make it as a professional, but that was never going to happen, so I put all my energies into trying to get the '2nd best job in the world’ once my dad had finally hammered home my playing deficiencies!

When does a commentator become too old to commentate?

That depends on the individual. If your health’s good, your mind and eyes are sharp, and your voice is still strong - then there’s no reason to stop. Once any of those start to go then I guess you wouldn’t want to do it anymore anyway. Hopefully that’s a long, LONG way off!

What’s been the daftest thing you’ve ever said live on air?

I’ve been in the Colemanballs books a few times. It’s just not possible to speak without flaw for almost 2 hours so there’ll be something that someone will consider daft in every commentary. Luckily we do that many games that after a day’s beating yourself up about it you’re concentrated on prepping the next ones and it goes out of your mind. There are people who actively seek out things to be offended or amused by nowadays, so just have a look on Google and you’re sure to find a plethora of daft things I’ve said!

What’s the secret to being a good commentator?

Preparation and accuracy - but above all be normal, and as invisible as you can be. A good commentator should complement the game and add a little bit without intruding - like salt does to chips. It’s a similar role to that of the referee. A good ref of a good game shouldn’t be noticed or talked about.

Who’s the greatest commentator ever?

I think that all depends on the era you grew up in, and is a very individual thing - just as we all have different tastes in music. The voices you grow up with tend to make the biggest impression on you, so for me it would be someone like Richie Benaud. Whenever I think of devouring football as a boy I hear in my head the likes of Peter Jones, Brian Moore, Barry Davies and of course John Motson.

Do you think you could turn your hand to commentating on other sports? Snooker, for example?

Not really. I think you owe it to the people watching to be as knowledgeable as you can be about the sport you’re covering - to know as much as the biggest diehard fans tuning in to enjoy it at home. In that respect, it’s always been football for me. I love cricket too, but to get into commentating on that these days you have to have captained England - and those boys do a brilliant job.

What’s your England starting XI for the Euros?

Depends on the opposition, but: Hart; Walker, Cahill, Smalling, Rose; Dier, Wilshere; Vardy, Alli, Rooney; Kane.

How far will England go?

We could reach the semi-finals. That should be the minimum target. To be honest though, every tournament I say the same thing - just get out of the group then let’s see what happens. Anything could after that. I fancy France to win it on home soil.

Should Wayne Rooney start?

I think he should - but probably in a central midfield or wider attacking role. He’d do it without complaint too. I don’t understand the need some people have in our country to constantly knock Wayne Rooney. You don’t become your country’s record scorer easily, and he’s still a seriously good player who’d get into almost every other national team. Plenty of supposed greats of the game have struggled to shine at major tournaments - and I still believe he’s got a big one to come yet.

Does Leicester winning the league surpass what Brian Clough did with Forest?

In terms of winning the league I think it does - purely because of the way the climate of the game has changed. Financially (and that, sickeningly, is the key it seems these days), it shouldn’t be possible for Leicester to do what they’ve done. As regards the bigger picture, Leicester have some way to go yet to match the achievements of Clough’s Forest side.

Will Leicester struggle to keep hold of their best players?

I don’t think that they will because Vardy, Mahrez and maybe Kante aside, there are no superstars. What they’ve done is due to them all gelling together as a team, the way football should be. You can see the respect and understanding they all have for that too. Kante might be the one that clubs try to have a nibble for.

How do you think Man Utd, Arsenal, Man City and Chelsea will react in the summer to Leicester winning?

It’ll be business as usual for those clubs - and that means lots of business! 3 of them (2 for certain) will have new managers who’ll want to bring new players in anyway. I don’t think Leicester’s success changes things for them particularly, but it might have an effect on how some previously at Leicester’s 'level’ approach games tactically.

Guy will be commentating on Euro 2016 for BBC TV. All media enquirers to jon@jonholmesmedia.com