One of the most prominent figures in British sport, former football star turned writer and broadcaster Gary Lineker grew up in Leicester with a keen interest in football. Yet what perhaps is less documented is his early love for broadcasting after hearing BBC Radio coverage of live football which continued to run in parallel throughout his career. This is something that forever made Lineker stand out to both coaching staff and the public as his analytical eye encouraged him to take a keen interest in the technical aspects of the game. These two strands simultaneously offered the young footballer a unique approach to the sport that in time became a key factor in his longevity within the public eye. However, it would take time for this specific talent to develop and make him into one of Britain’s best loved figures.
Making his professional debut for his boyhood team Leicester City on New Year’s Day 1979 was a momentous occasion in the Lineker household. As a lifelong Leicester supporter, this was a dream come true as he fulfilled almost every young boy’s dream to become a professional footballer. Managed by former Scottish goalkeeper Jock Wallace, Leicester City claimed the second division title in Lineker’s debut season which began speculation about his potential future. A number of clubs expressed interest in him which was a new concept for the young forward and the first time he had considered himself as a commodity. In the era before mental health awareness, Gary worked under management teams devoid of contemporary considerations and as a result was forced to cultivate a mental strength in order to succeed. Yet this quiet, analytical self confidence offered him the tools to overcome any criticism.
Nowadays when mental health remains hot topic on political and social agenda, it’s common for clubs to employ teams of professionals who are equipped to aid with such issues which can only be a good thing for the sport. As more money flows into football with the unprecedented influx of billionaire takeovers, the value of players has rapidly increased. This, in turn, has increased awareness of players to live up to their extravagant price tags which arguably affects their performance on the pitch. Therefore mental health is probably the most critical aspect of a player’s development and should always take priority.
Moving to Everton in 1985 offered him a taste of a highly anticipated transfer in the era when the club enjoyed a golden age. This offered Lineker an insight into what it took to become one of the best players in the world and narrowly missing out on the division one title to main rivals Liverpool in the 1985/86 season which was a crushing blow for everyone involved. Yet Lineker’s status continued to grow and the whole of Europe was increasingly interested in signing him. In 1986 he joined Barcelona in the era where European transfers were still rare. However, with the legendary manager Terry Venables in charge, it was proving impossible for Gary to turn it down. It was here when Gary experienced firsthand Venables’ genial man management style that came more often as an arm around the shoulder rather than a verbal assault. Such positivity had a blossoming effect on the pitch and for three seasons, Gary happily made Spain his home.
Returning to England in 1989, Gary joined Tottenham where he won his first major trophy when Spurs claimed the FA Cup in his first season. It was clear that the football world was changing and with the desire not to be clogging up the substitutes bench, Gary once again started looking further afield for his next club. Japanese side Nagoya Grampus Eight were looking for a striker and instead of finishing his footballing career in the English league which was awaiting its Premier League revolution, Gary was Japan bound. After two years playing for the Japanese side, Lineker decided to call it a day on his fifteen year professional football career which had seen him rise to the very top of his sport.
Professional retirement can be a terrifying prospect for some sportsmen who seldom reflect on their life after competition. Yet for Gary Lineker, a passion for broadcasting had forever surrounded him and now this new chapter in his life offered just that. Beginning with regular appearances on 5Live, Gary began to cultivate a reputation as a pundit. His ability to read and analyse the game naturally marked him out as one of the brightest pundits on television but that wasn’t where his talent lay.
Presenting a handful of Football Focus episodes, Gary gradually ascended the ranks of the BBC Sports team. Yet it was the 1997 Grand National which would unexpectedly plunge Gary into the broadcasting spotlight. An IRA security threat had forced the legendary Des Lynam to be trapped in situ without no means of access to broadcasting. Gary was already filling in for Lynam on Match Of The Day but as the only broadcaster in BBC Television Centre, it fell to Gary to impromptu present Final Score and quickly become accustomed with the infamous Videprinter. This was the ultimate schooling for any broadcaster and encouraged him to realise that if he could do this, he could do anything.
In 1999 the legendary Des Lynam succumbed to the lure of commercial television when he joined ITV who were just about to claim the rights to the coverage of Premier League highlights. This left a vacancy for the BBC’s main football anchor and Gary was more than equipped to handle the role. However, just two years later ITV’s bid was successfully approved and the domestic version of Match Of The Day was forced to take a three year hiatus. Yet a combination of scheduling issues and changes to the highlights format resulted in ITV’s The Premiership failing to hit the mark with the public and by 2003 the BBC had reclaimed the rights to show Premier League highlights from the 2004/05 season and Gary was proud to return as lead anchor. With his trademark satirical, humorous opening monologue, it was obvious that Gary felt at home and for the next quarter of a century, Gary Lineker became the undisputed king of Saturday nights.
A plethora of former footballers joined him to provide unrivalled analysis of the game which in turn helped to spark a revolution within the discipline. No longer was punditry seen as the graveyard for retired players but an important part of television broadcasting. Players suddenly discovered a new lease of life and figures like Alan Hansen, Mark Lawrenson and Alan Shearer made punditry into an art form and set the standard for subsequent generations of players. Gary insists that the current crop of pundits are more analytical and thorough than ever and remains excited about the future.
The decision to step down from Match Of The Day at the end of this season was one which wasn’t easy. However, with a successful podcast franchise The Rest Is…Gary is excited to forge deeper into the audio medium. In many ways, it feels like he has come full circle and has returned to his longtime passion of creating radio. It may not be on the terraces of Filbert Street in Leicester but his passion and dedication to the sport remains the same. It was an honour to welcome the legendary Gary Lineker to Beyond The Title and irrespective of where his journey may lead him next, he most certainly has made it into the history books of two different disciplines and that’s a testament to his talent and enthusiasm for everything he does. A sign of a certified national treasure!
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