Peter Drury will become Sky Sports’ chief Premier League commentator next season after Martin Tyler announced he would be stepping away on Saturday after over three decades of service.
It is believed Drury will concentrate on one game per week with Sky as he is already the lead commentator for Premier League’s coverage in the USA, according to the Daily Mail.
“I’m massively excited to be joining Sky’s outstanding roster of commentators,” Drury said.
“To be working on the best games week in week out with a broadcaster that has told the Premier League story since the very beginning feels like the opportunity of my career and I can’t wait to get started.”
Sky Sports’ director of football Gary Hughes added: “We’re looking forward to welcoming Peter Drury to Sky Sports.
“Peter’s one of the game’s most poetic commentators and will bring great energy and enthusiasm as well as his award-winning broadcasting experience to our unrivalled coverage of the Premier League.”
Drury has built up a cult following on social media in recent years, with his poetic turn of phrase while broadcasting on the Champions League for BT Sport earning him a legion of fans.
Arguably his most iconic moment in the gantry came during Roma’s remarkable comeback against Barcelona in the Champions League quarter-finals in 2018, capped by Kostas Manolas’ late winner.
“Roma have risen from their ruins! Manolas, the Greek God in Rome! The unthinkable unfolds before our eyes. This was not meant to happen; this could not happen … this is happening!
“It is a Greek from Mount Olympus, who has come to the seven hills of Rome and pulled off a miracle.”
In an interview with i last year, Drury revealed that commentating on Siphiwe Tshabalala’s goal for South Africa against Mexico in the opening game of the 2010 World Cup was one of his favourite career moments.
“The moment that still puts the hairs up on the back of my neck when I think of it is [Siphiwe] Tshabalala scoring the opening goal of the 2010 World Cup,” Drury said. “That game was so significant. It was a game of such substance.
“I’m not trying to put some sort of halo on here but Africa was so excited to have that World Cup and given South Africa’s problems leading up to that point, to walk up to that stadium, that day and see black and white people arm in arm, smiling, thrilled, excited… to just being there in Johannesburg was in itself spine-tingling.
“And then when this kid from Soweto belted an absolute pearler into the top corner to launch the tournament, that to me was, forgive pretentiousness, a goal that transcended a football match. It was way beyond that. It was a monstrously significant goal and I was very, very lucky to be there and see it.”
Drury will have big shoes to fill given Tyler, 77, has been synonymous with Sky Sports’ coverage of the Premier League since its very first season back in 1992-93.
“In my humble opinion, the huge corporation Sky is today has stemmed from Sky Sports’ innovative and inspired coverage of the Premier League,” Tyler said following the announcement on Saturday.
“It has been a privilege to play a small part in the broadcasting history of the greatest league in the world. Along the way I have worked alongside legions of wonderful professionals in all aspects of the television industry.
“I thank them all for their support and expertise. It has been an honour to be a member of a very gifted team.”
Tyler’s former colleagues were quick to pay tribute, including Gary Neville, who said: “To work alongside Martin Tyler is a true privilege. He is the “voice” of the Premier League.
“Whilst he always made me feel welcome and he’s someone I trust as a friend and a teammate, I always felt he was a different level. A master of what he did.”
Jamie Carragher tweeted: “I listened to Martin Tyler commentate on Everton’s greatest ever game against Bayern Munich in 1985, he was commentating on my full debut & first goal for Liverpool as an 18yr old in 1997.
“I then had the privilege to work alongside him for 10yrs, the highlight being an Origi last minute derby winner!”
Hughes said: “Everyone at Sky Sports would like to say a heartfelt thank you to Martin for his unparalleled contribution and dedication to our coverage over the last 30 years.
“‘The Voice’ will always be synonymous with the Premier League and Sky Sports. When you think of commentary, you think of Martin Tyler. ‘Collymore closing in’ and ‘Aguerrrrrroooooooooo’ are two of the greatest moments in Premier League history.
“We thank him and wish him all the very best for the future.”
