Rob Nothman on Bill McLaren

Rob Nothman, whose online guide to commentary you can read here, has these thoughts on the great Bill McLaren, whose death was announced on 19 January 2010.

"It's almost vulgar to examine the skills of a broadcaster like Bill McLaren in too much detail. But, more than any other sports commentator, he ticked the three essential boxes.

First, he possessed an unmistakable voice - once described as being as 'warm and satisfying as a flask of Scotch broth on a raw January afternoon'; next, there was his ability as an intuitive wordsmith with a peerless command of language which gave him an enviable fluency; and, finally, there was his personality.

Modern trends suggest a commentator's personality manifests itself in frequent opinions and sniping criticism. Bill McLaren had an unfailing generosity of spirit. His harrowing war-time experiences in Italy imbued him with a proper sense of perspective - 'rugby really doesn't matter, believe me'.

However thorough his research and preparation (his commentary sheets were masterpieces), he never compromised his enthusiasm and joy for what he did, and his admiration for the players who entertained him. Dropped passes were worthy of a mild rebuke, perhaps, but never inflammatory words designed purely to provoke a reaction from the viewer.

His personality complemented the action; it never dominated the occasion. And, what's more, for those of us fortunate enough to have met and worked with him, he had that most precious of human qualities - glory lightly worn."