Kenneth Wolstenholme facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Kenneth Wolstenholme
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Kenneth Wolstenholme
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| Born | 17 July 1920 Worsley, Lancashire, England
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| Died | 25 March 2002 (aged 81) Torquay, England
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| Nationality | British |
| Occupation | Football commentator and presenter |
| Known for | Presenting: Match of the Day Football comment: "They think it's all over" |
| Military career | |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Service/ |
 Royal Air Force |
| Years of service | 1939–45 |
| Rank |  Acting Squadron leader |
| Awards |  DFC & Bar |
Kenneth Wolstenholme (born July 17, 1920 – died March 25, 2002) was a famous English football commentator. He worked for BBC television in the 1950s and 1960s. He is best known for his exciting commentary during the 1966 FIFA World Cup Final. As the game ended, he famously said: "Some people are on the pitch, they think it's all over!" Then, when Geoff Hurst scored, he added: "It is now!" This phrase became very famous in British popular culture.
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Early Life and Education
Kenneth Wolstenholme was born in Worsley, a town in Lancashire, England. He went to Farnworth Grammar School. Interestingly, years later, Alan Ball Jr., a player Wolstenholme would commentate on in the 1966 World Cup Final, also attended the same school. Kenneth started his career as a journalist, writing for a newspaper in Manchester.
Serving in World War II
When Second World War began, Kenneth Wolstenholme was part of the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. He was quickly called up to serve. By 1941, he had become a trained bomber pilot. He flew Bristol Blenheim planes with 107 Squadron.
Later, in 1943, he moved to fly faster de Havilland Mosquito planes. He joined 105 Squadron, which was part of the special Pathfinder Group. This group helped guide other bombers to their targets.
Kenneth flew over 100 dangerous missions over Occupied Europe. In May 1944, he received the DFC for his bravery. The next year, he earned a Bar to his DFC. This was for his continued courage during raids on Germany, even when enemy night fighter planes were very active. He finished the war as an acting squadron leader. Towards the end of the war, he worked in the RAF's public relations department.
A Career in Sports Broadcasting
After the war, Kenneth became a freelance journalist. He first worked for BBC Radio and then moved to television in 1950.
He covered many English football games in the 1950s and 1960s. He even commentated on the very first game shown on Match of the Day in 1964. He also covered the FA Cup final every year from 1953 to 1971.
For the BBC, he commentated on the 1960 European Cup Final. This match was between Real Madrid and Eintracht Frankfurt at Hampden Park. Many people consider it one of the greatest football matches ever played. Real Madrid won the game 7-3.
He also covered the 1959 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship Final. This was a game between Kilkenny and Waterford. He enjoyed it so much that he called hurling his second-favourite sport, after football.
The Famous "They Think It's All Over" Moment
Kenneth Wolstenholme's most famous words came during the final moments of the 1966 FIFA World Cup Final. This historic match was played at Wembley Stadium. England was leading West Germany 3–2.
Just as the game was about to end, a few fans ran onto the pitch. At the same time, Geoff Hurst scored another goal, making the score 4–2 to England. This exciting moment led Wolstenholme to say his famous words:
Some people are on the pitch... they think it's all over... it is now!
The phrase "it is now" was added right after Hurst scored. Since 1966, "they think it's all over" has become a very well-known saying in English.
Later Broadcasting Work
After the 1966 World Cup, Kenneth Wolstenholme continued his broadcasting career. In 1967, he traveled to Lisbon to cover the 1967 European Cup Final. In this game, Celtic beat Internazionale. A year later, he commentated at Wembley again. This time, Manchester United defeated Benfica to win the 1968 European Cup.
He was the BBC's main commentator for the 1970 FIFA World Cup. He left the BBC in 1971. His last BBC commentary was for the 1971 European Cup Final between Ajax and Panathinaikos.
Later, Wolstenholme worked for Tyne Tees Television in the 1970s. He also appeared on Channel 4 in the early 1990s. He even had an acting role in a BBC Radio 4 comedy series called Lenin of the Rovers in 1988. In 1990, he was a guest star on the TV show KYTV.
Kenneth Wolstenholme was a lifelong fan of Bolton Wanderers. He was a special guest at the club's last game at Burnden Park in 1997. He also narrated a video about the club's move to the Reebok Stadium.
In 1998, Wolstenholme appeared in the video game World Cup 98 by EA Sports. He was the commentator for the game's classic World Cup matches.
Legacy and Impact
Kenneth Wolstenholme's famous phrase, "They think it's all over," was used as the title for a popular sports quiz show called They Think It's All Over.
The words "They think it's all over, it is now" are carved into a stone in Churchgate, in Bolton town centre. This is alongside quotes from other famous people from Bolton.
Personal Life
In 1944, Kenneth Wolstenholme married his wife, Joan. She passed away in 1997. They had two daughters. Kenneth lived in Galmpton, Torbay, Devon, until his death in 2002.
See also
- 1966 FIFA World Cup Final
- They think it's all over
