Mike Ingham | |
|---|---|
| Born | (1950-09-24)24 September 1950 (age 74) |
| Nationality | English |
| Occupation | Footballcommentator |
| Employer | BBC Sport |
Michael Robert InghamMBE (born 24 September 1950 inCheshire)[1] is anEnglishfootballcommentator andbroadcaster.
He grew up inDuffield andQuarndon and attended theBelper School (then The Herbert Strutt School) inBelper.[2] He gained aBachelor of Law degree.
He began his career working forBBC Radio Derby in 1973, later joining theBBC inLondon in 1979.
For some years he regularly hosted the Saturday afternoon sports programmeSport on Two, and for five years he hosted BBC Radio's high-profile Saturday teatimeSports Report. Around 1984 he also became a match commentator, working alongsidePeter Jones andBryon Butler. In 1991, he took over from Butler as the BBC's football correspondent.
From 1990, Ingham worked alongsideAlan Green asBBC Radio 5 Live's principal commentating pair, working onFA Cup Finals,World Cup finals,European Cup finals and virtually all the biggest matches in Britain and throughout the world, with many of his commentaries also being heard on theBBC World Service. He is noted for his measured, eloquent style, often seen as something of a throwback to earlier days of sports broadcasting. He also commentated on the BBC's coverage ofPrincess Diana's funeral in 1997.
In 2004, Ingham was promoted as chief football correspondent, becoming renowned with fans for "thinking aloud" when offering his opinion on the football matters of the day.
After the2014 World Cup, Ingham[3] retired from his role as correspondent and commentator.
Mike Ingham lives in Looe , Cornwall with his wife Lorna and two sons Marshall and George Ingham. He is a keen record collector and music fan, and occasionally hostedAndy Peebles' show onRadio 1 during the early 1980s.
Ingham is a big Plymouth Argyle fan, as noted in his autobiography Extra Time and Penalties. He's also a season ticket holder at Home Park
Ingham was appointedMember of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the2010 Birthday Honours for services to sports broadcasting.[4]