Our latest celebrity Dad is a man who’s voice you may know, but face you might not – he’s the man behind the microphone on the BBC’s football coverage, Guy Mowbray. The father of one is a football nut, and has experienced some of the world’s biggest sporting events. We sat down with him to find out where that passion for football began, and what advice he has for Dad’s who travel away from their family for work.
Dads Stuff – Where did your love of football begin?
Guy – I guess it really began on the playing field that our family home backed on to. I spent most of my time on the other side of the hedge playing football or cricket. It was also the home pitch for the village sports club and my bedroom had a prime view right behind the goal. My dad was a teacher (PE in his prime) and had access to some half decent old sports equipment so our corner of the field was a popular spot to get games going on.
Dads Stuff – What’s been the best moment of your commentary career so far?
Guy – I’m hopeful that the best moments are yet to come – England winning something would be nice for example! So far I’d say the 3 World Cup finals I’ve commentated on and the first time I got to do the FA Cup final for the BBC. Only a small handful of people have ever had opportunities like that and I felt it was important to have a little think about that before the games. Only a small one though – anything more and the nerves would be too shredded. I’d also have to include the game when Sergio Aguero won the Premier League for Manchester City. Dramatic moments like that happen once in a blue moon (if you’ll forgive the pun!)
Dads Stuff – Is there a stadium and/or team that you haven’t commentated at/on that is on your bucket list?
Guy – That’s a really interesting one. I’ve been lucky enough to commentate on almost all the major club sides and international teams too, and travelled far and wide to do it. It was certainly one ticked off the list when I got to the Maracana in Rio in both 2013 & 2014. Maybe a Boca Juniors v River Plate clash at La Bombonera? Other than that I’d have to refer back to the dream and say the stadium that hosts the World Cup final in Qatar in 2022 IF it were to end with England winning it. That’s a mighty big if, and I’ve already done commentaries in Moscow!
Dads Stuff – Do your family share your love of football?
Guy – No, but they appreciate and understand my obsession – probably because it pays the bills! My wife will go to the odd game and knows who plays for which team to an extent. My daughter has decided to grow up a Man City supporter but isn’t really that interested. I think that Aguero moment had an effect on her at 5 years old! I come from a family that’s always followed the game though and dad was a qualified coach.
Dads Stuff – What advice do you have for Dads who have to travel a lot for work?
Guy – Everyone’s different so it’s hard to say. I’ll try and fill my time with work or company as much as possible when I’m away because it’s the moments when I’m left on my own that make me miss home. Keep as busy as you can basically, and only call home when you’ve got something to say or tell them about. They’re living their lives at home and not just on hold waiting for your return, so any conversations without substance can be awkward and only make things worse.
Dads Stuff – Who’s going to win the Premier League title this season and why?
Guy – Chelsea, because they’re too far in front to be caught I think. I’m not sure they’re the best team by the distance they are ahead, but as the scrap develops the others will all take points off one another and make the gap impossible to close. Antonio Conte’s taken to the Premier League just brilliantly and his Chelsea team is like his Juventus was – beligerently consistent.
Dads Stuff – Who will be the teams to go down? Will there be one team who stage a ‘Great Escape’?
Guy – Sorry, I don’t predict teams going down because the stick you get from fans of the side you’d written off but survived never let you forget it! If truth be told none of us know. Think about Leicester winning the league last season and Sunderland’s clambering out of the bottom three seemingly every season – that’s the unpredictable beauty of the Premier League. I tell you what, I’ll go with Hull to survive. I’ve been hugely impressed with Marco Silva in his short time in charge so far.
Get to know Guy more by following him on Twitter here. It was his birthday this week too, so make sure you wish him Happy Birthday!