Clive Tyldesley

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Clive Tyldesley is a British sports commentator.

Contents 1 Career 1.1 Early career 1.2 ITV 1.3 BBC 1.4 Return to ITV 1.5 Computer games

[edit] Career

[edit] Early career

Tyldesley was born in Lancashire and was educated at Kirkham Grammar School. He began his career in local radio in Nottingham before joining Liverpool's Radio City in 1977. After succeeding Elton Welsby as sports editor, he began commentating during a successful era for Liverpool F.C. in the late 1970s and early 1980s. He was also commentator during Everton F.C.'s successful spell in the 1980s. Tyldesley also covered the two disasters of Heysel and Hillsborough (although he wasn't present at the latter), as well as covering other events such as rugby league, the Grand National and even the Pope's visit to Liverpool.

[edit] ITV

He joined North West England ITV company Granada full-time in 1989 after co-hosting their Sportsweek programmed when at Radio City. He was selected as part of ITV's FIFA World Cup team at the 1990 World Cup as the fifth man behind Brian Moore, Alan Parry, John Helm and Gerry Harrison and covered his first live game for ITV the following year - a European Cup Winners Cup match between Tottenham Hotspur F.C. and FC Porto.

[edit] BBC

Tyldesley joined the BBC as they obtained highlights rights for the new Premier League in 1992. For four years he worked as a commentator on Match of the Day and Sportsnight. Despite proving himself as an accomplished performer, he was unable to dislodge John Motson and Barry Davies and only covered four live matches in his entire time there. These were two matches at the 1994 World Cup, one at Euro 96 and an FA Cup tie between Sheffield United F.C. and Aston Villa F.C.. After being consigned to basketball at the 1996 Olympics he left the BBC.

[edit] Return to ITV

He returned to ITV in September 1996 as a straight replacement for Alan Parry and his first match back was a UEFA Cup tie between Arsenal F.C. and Borussia Monchengladbach. Although Tyldesley was behind the veteran Brian Moore in the pecking order, it did afford him greater opportunities for live football with the UEFA Champions League, FA Cup and Football League matches on offer. He started commentating on major finals, the first being the 1997 League Cup followed by the 1998 Champions League final. After the 1998 World Cup Moore retired and Tyldesley became ITV's senior commentator. Since then, he has commentated on every Champions League final since 1998. He also led ITV's commentating teams at the European Football Championships of 2000 and 2004 and the World Cups of 2002 and 2006.

[edit] Computer games

Tyldesley and Andy Gray provide commentary in EA Sports FIFA 06, FIFA 07 and FIFA 08 (only on current generation consoles) football video game and in the UEFA Champions League 2004-2005 game. Tyldesley is also heard in another of EA's football games, 2006 FIFA World Cup along with Andy Townsend. He also provided commentary for Championship Manager 2, the last in the franchise to feature verbal analysis.