Archie Macpherson
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Archibald "Archie" Macpherson (b. 1937 in Glasgow) is a Scottish football commentator.
He has been commentating on Scottish football, via both radio and television, for over four decades. Well known for his unique commentary style, Macpherson describes the action on-field with a passion that normal fans can easily relate to, frequently getting overexcited whilst play is under way.
Contents |
[edit] Early life
Macpherson grew up in the Shettleston area of Glasgow and took after his father who was a successful runner and amateur footballer. Archie represented Coatbridge High School in the final of the Scottish Schools Cup in 1953 but never seriously considered turning professional. He trained as a teacher and also wrote short stories, the first of which was published in the Glasgow Evening Times. He took a job as a teacher and continued to enjoy success as a writer until, after complaining that one of his stories was poorly delivered as a radio address, he was invited to narrate the next story himself. He made such an impression that he was offered a position as a freelance sports journalist in 1965.
[edit] Broadcasting career
His broadcasting credentials are impressive, having worked for the BBC, stv, Eurosport, Radio Clyde and Talksport. It should also be noted that this career-path has required much effort and determination on Macpherson's part, as he initially struggled to gain a foothold into broadcasting. Indeed, his first real job was as a teacher where he supplemented his meagre income by getting short stories published in local newspapers. Such efforts, though, were to pay off and helped Archie gain his initial big break at the BBC.
From then on, Macpherson went from strength to strength, commanding a certain deal of respect with his approach to Scottish football coverage beyond more satirical representations of his work. Indeed, he has developed a manner that is both candid and articulate, ensuring that he has remained a staple of Scottish football coverage, often causing controversy with his forthright views that are often critical and penetrative. Most recently this work has been recognised at the 2005 Scottish BAFTA ceremony with Archie picking up a prize for "Special Contribution to Scottish Broadcasting".
[edit] A cult figure
Such is Macpherson's cult status, he has often been caricatured within Scottish culture. Most notably this has happened on BBC Scotland's hit comedy show Only an Excuse? which takes a light-hearted look at Scottish football, largely utilising the skills of impressionist Jonathan Watson. Within this, Macpherson's memorable hairstyle takes prominence (often being referred to within Scottish footballing circles as the 'Shredded Wheat' style) along with his customary sheepskin coat. Indeed, such is the legend of Archie's sheepskin that one of his old jackets takes pride of place at the Scottish Football Museum, situated at the home of Scotland's national team, Hampden Park.
Of course, Macpherson has made his own personal appearances within Scottish popular culture. He once famously appeared on Rikki Fulton's Scotch and Wry, a prominent comedy sketch show screened by BBC Scotland, being mistaken for former University Challenge host Bamber Gascoigne. More recently, his commentary appeared in the film adaptation of Irvine Welsh's cult novel Trainspotting, re-voicing Archie Gemmill's famous goal for Scotland against the Netherlands at the 1978 World Cup as a sex scene unfolded at the same time, providing excitement at the climax of two pieces of action at once!
[edit] Modern day
At the moment, Macpherson currently appears on stv's Scotsport which airs highlights from the Scottish Premier League (SPL) on Monday nights during the football season. Within this, he provides commentary from one of the weekend's matches as well as studio analysis.
Recently, Macpherson has occupied his time away from television by writing two books. One is a best-selling biography of legendary Scottish football manager Jock Stein and the other is a recently published book called Flower of Scotland? about Archie's trials and tribulations whilst following Scottish football for the past four decades. Archie has also proved he can look after himself in his private life, once memorably apprehending a mugger who had tried to steal the handbag of his wife at a Paris Metro station. Later he recounted that he was "protecting his wife's honour".
[edit] References
'Off the Ball', BBC Radio Scotland, 13 October 2005. Daily Record, 14 Jan 2004.
