Thank you so much for posting this. Brings back very warm memories of me and my late Father taking our puddings, after a hefty Sunday lunch, into the lounge for a fine afternoon of football. I know it can never be properly explained to young people, but football today is souless, without the grit, humour, earthiness and honesty it was back in the 60's, 70's and 80's. Happy days well remembered.
Brian Moore is the greatest commentator ever. Whenever I hear any of his calls, it brings back great memories of Italia '90, USA '94, as well as countless European/English Premier matches from the 90's.....
Anyone who wants to see more of this season's (1980/81) coverage of football on ITV should be aware that ITV4 (and on ITV Hub) has just started a new series of 'The Big Match Revisited' most Saturday mornings, with almost complete reruns of every edition of 'The Big Match' from that season - complete with LWT idents, titles and theme music.
Me too! This was when I.T.V. and B.B.C. switched I.T.V. om Saturday Nights. B.B.C. on Sunday Afternoons. Here in the South. Southern took The Big Match until T.V.S. took over the I.T.V. South of England Franchise from 1st January 1982. With Sunday Soccer and then The Saturday Match with Fred Dienage [Still going strong] and the late George Best. Replaced by Ian St. John when George Best was drinking. HAPPY DAYS! From the New Forest. Best Wishes.
garry simpson Fred Dineage was also awesome on World of Sport obviously Dickie Davies was the man and also great but I preferred Fred as there was something different about him. ITV presenters also acknowledged viewers of all ages as did newsreaders eg Leonard Parkin on News at 1 would always make a point of welcoming the younger viewers first
Very true. Fred Dineage. he has done it all. DAY BY DAY COAST TO COAST MERIDIAN TONIGHT. GAMBIT . [The first to 21 show] Calendar Sport and of course WORLD OF SPORT! Since 1967 Fred Dineage is truly a legend in broadcasting! How I miss Regional I.T.V..
The original HOW presenters were Fred Dineage Jack Hargreaves Jon miller Bunty James Dr. Tom Gaskell Jill Graham and Marian Davies. The stand in for Jack Hargreaves was Barry Bucknell. GOD BLESS THEM ALL!
What a legend Brian Moore was. R.I.P. Spot on that ITV should repeat The Big Match Revisited. Seeing this and all the old Match Of The Day on ESPN Classic makes you realise how good football was then.
This very episode, though condensed and re-edited with four ad-breaks rather than the three there would have been, is being shown right-now on ITV4 in its 'The Big Match Revisited' slot as it re-runs most editions from 1980-81 Season, largely with episodes of 'The Big Match' from London Weekend Television.
The music is called "Jubilation" and was composed by Jeff Wayne. It was also used, around the same time, by BBC Scotland as the theme for their Reporting Scotland news programme.
The stupid tv execs need to bring back themes like this rather than the tuneless stuff of today. This is one of those tunes that reminds you of... well, football!
Amazing 'graphics' for the period. Go well with the music - which of course the other ITV companies used for each of their versions of "The Big Match" but with varying title sequences. I think the problem with modern TV graphics is that there's so much on the screen, none of it actually sinks in. Perceptibility and directness were the aim of the game in the 70s/80s, not "brand image", "market positioning" and "creative execution". It worked.
Used to love The Big Match. Great theme tune here. Why don't ITV repeat The Big Match Revisited? Great to hear and see Brian Moore again. Excellent commentator.
I don't know but they look ACE for 1980! Nice guitar too. Just a shame it was spoiled by the bad news of Gary Birtles signing for United - bad for United that is.
What 80s Sundays were all about...remember 80s Sundays were so boring as a child, pollical programmes that went on for an eternity, Brian Waldrens Weekend World and the like but finally, about 2pm it was time for some footy....cue Brian Moore...
Most ITV regions had their own football programme - Tyne Tees’s offering usually airing under the name of Shoot - some regions with no local football often took The Big Match, despite its London-centricity - in the case of Tyne Tees, if no north-east teams were playing at home, it was not uncommon for them to air another region’s soccer programme (not necessarily The Big Match) if one of the north-east teams were playing away - must have been strange seeing ATV’s or Granada’s programme on Tyne Tees - when did the name of the programme change? What are people like Elton Welsby and Hugh Johns and Gerald Sinstadt doing on Tyne Tees? Where’s George Taylor and Roger Tames and David Burton and Kenneth Wolstenholme (he commentated on the Middlesbrough matches - a far cry from the 1966 World Cup!).
You notice when the players get tackled in the 80's they jump right back up and get on with the game. Not like today when the roll around for a bit....roll around for a lot actually. Arse'n' wankger would flap his arms enough to take off if he was an 80's manager.
I remember when martin peters went to Tottenham from west ham for 120 thousand pounds. the newspapers had a field day moaning about how absurd football had become to say a footballer was worth over 100 thousand pounds. those same newspaper jounalists would have a heart attack now.
That classic LWT intro brings back so many memories of loved ones no longer around all watch TV together.
Thank you so much for posting this. Brings back very warm memories of me and my late Father taking our puddings, after a hefty Sunday lunch, into the lounge for a fine afternoon of football. I know it can never be properly explained to young people, but football today is souless, without the grit, humour, earthiness and honesty it was back in the 60's, 70's and 80's. Happy days well remembered.
absolutely spot on
It's great that ITV4 are re showing the big match revisited it's nice to watch the old games again and also the legend Brian Moore
Boy! do I miss Brian Moore!! R.I.P ..legend!
Brian Moore is the greatest commentator ever.
Whenever I hear any of his calls, it brings back great memories of Italia '90, USA '94, as well as countless European/English Premier matches from the 90's.....
Not as good as Gerald Sinstadt
the legendary late great Brian Moore
Anyone who wants to see more of this season's (1980/81) coverage of football on ITV should be aware that ITV4 (and on ITV Hub) has just started a new series of 'The Big Match Revisited' most Saturday mornings, with almost complete reruns of every edition of 'The Big Match' from that season - complete with LWT idents, titles and theme music.
Hearing this theme has sent shivers down my spine, it brings back memories of when tv and football was awesome
Me too! This was when I.T.V. and B.B.C. switched I.T.V. om Saturday Nights. B.B.C. on Sunday Afternoons. Here in the South. Southern took The Big Match until T.V.S. took over the I.T.V. South of England Franchise from 1st January 1982. With Sunday Soccer and then The Saturday Match with Fred Dienage [Still going strong] and the late George Best. Replaced by Ian St. John when George Best was drinking. HAPPY DAYS! From the New Forest. Best Wishes.
garry simpson Fred Dineage was also awesome on World of Sport obviously Dickie Davies was the man and also great but I preferred Fred as there was something different about him. ITV presenters also acknowledged viewers of all ages as did newsreaders eg Leonard Parkin on News at 1 would always make a point of welcoming the younger viewers first
Very true. Fred Dineage. he has done it all. DAY BY DAY COAST TO COAST MERIDIAN TONIGHT. GAMBIT . [The first to 21 show] Calendar Sport and of course WORLD OF SPORT! Since 1967 Fred Dineage is truly a legend in broadcasting! How I miss Regional I.T.V..
He also co-presented HOW and HOW 2!
The original HOW presenters were Fred Dineage Jack Hargreaves Jon miller Bunty James Dr. Tom Gaskell Jill Graham and Marian Davies. The stand in for Jack Hargreaves was Barry Bucknell. GOD BLESS THEM ALL!
What a legend Brian Moore was. R.I.P. Spot on that ITV should repeat The Big Match Revisited. Seeing this and all the old Match Of The Day on ESPN Classic makes you realise how good football was then.
This very episode, though condensed and re-edited with four ad-breaks rather than the three there would have been, is being shown right-now on ITV4 in its 'The Big Match Revisited' slot as it re-runs most editions from 1980-81 Season, largely with episodes of 'The Big Match' from London Weekend Television.
Classic football programme. Rip the great Brian Moore 🙏
Loved this theme tune
The music is called "Jubilation" and was composed by Jeff Wayne. It was also used, around the same time, by BBC Scotland as the theme for their Reporting Scotland news programme.
this was a classic football theme dont get them like this anymore.
The stupid tv execs need to bring back themes like this rather than the tuneless stuff of today. This is one of those tunes that reminds you of... well, football!
Great 80s themes
Brian moore r.i.p
Excellent clip,thanks.
Amazing 'graphics' for the period. Go well with the music - which of course the other ITV companies used for each of their versions of "The Big Match" but with varying title sequences. I think the problem with modern TV graphics is that there's so much on the screen, none of it actually sinks in. Perceptibility and directness were the aim of the game in the 70s/80s, not "brand image", "market positioning" and "creative execution". It worked.
This was my first season going to games i was 13 and payed a £1 in the northbank highbury
Me too mate !!
2.30 on a sunday afternoon⚽️⚽️. has a ten year old, music to my ears
Used to love The Big Match. Great theme tune here. Why don't ITV repeat The Big Match Revisited? Great to hear and see Brian Moore again. Excellent commentator.
It's back on TV...itv4 The big match revisited hope your watching mate?👍
Trademarked Jeff Wayne jangly guitars. Classic! :)
The best!!!😊😊
This is from Saturday 4th October 1980.
this was in the days when you could watch live football for nothing now you have to pay to sky or espn to watch live premiership football
I don't know but they look ACE for 1980! Nice guitar too. Just a shame it was spoiled by the bad news of Gary Birtles signing for United - bad for United that is.
Great tune - loved it when I was a kid
The graphics are another thing however...
What was the first thing the Iranian hostages asked after being released from captivity after 444 days?
Has Birtles scored for Manchester Uited yet?
I'm a Man United fan and it's still funny even now. There was also a John Lennon related joke from the time but I'd get banned if I posted it.
What 80s Sundays were all about...remember 80s Sundays were so boring as a child, pollical programmes that went on for an eternity, Brian Waldrens Weekend World and the like but finally, about 2pm it was time for some footy....cue Brian Moore...
No it wasn't - he actually died that day.
The last match he commentated on was the 1998 World Cup Final in Paris.
Tune ! :)
Most ITV regions had their own football programme - Tyne Tees’s offering usually airing under the name of Shoot - some regions with no local football often took The Big Match, despite its London-centricity - in the case of Tyne Tees, if no north-east teams were playing at home, it was not uncommon for them to air another region’s soccer programme (not necessarily The Big Match) if one of the north-east teams were playing away - must have been strange seeing ATV’s or Granada’s programme on Tyne Tees - when did the name of the programme change? What are people like Elton Welsby and Hugh Johns and Gerald Sinstadt doing on Tyne Tees? Where’s George Taylor and Roger Tames and David Burton and Kenneth Wolstenholme (he commentated on the Middlesbrough matches - a far cry from the 1966 World Cup!).
God the crap we had on ATV and Central. Star Soccer.
cool.......have u got the rest of this or any 70's versions?....thanks if u have.
You notice when the players get tackled in the 80's they jump right back up and get on with the game. Not like today when the roll around for a bit....roll around for a lot actually. Arse'n' wankger would flap his arms enough to take off if he was an 80's manager.
that's because back then the players were mostly british. now the players are all from European continent or south America.
Pity Garry Birtles didn't fail his medical
Still prefer the titles for The Kick Off Match (well, I did live in Granadaland!)
granada soccer night elton welsby
Does anyone know if this theme were used by a program in the US, possibly on PBS? It sounds strangely familiar?
1.5 million pounds......A kings ransom back then.....Pocket change today.
I remember when martin peters went to Tottenham from west ham for 120 thousand pounds. the newspapers had a field day moaning about how absurd football had become to say a footballer was worth over 100 thousand pounds. those same newspaper jounalists would have a heart attack now.
@wungabunga Got worse when Peter Davenport went there!
one and a half million pounds..
Garry Birtles! Ha ha...fantastically mediocre striker.
I think in the early 80s 25% of all footballers had to be called Garry, by law.