Yes one of the old school. Very knowledgeable about the sport being a former professional but also had a way with words and when to speak and when to keep silent. Something many of the newer commentators seem to forget instead preferring to screech, chatter constantly with babble and inanity. Bill McLaren with his wonderful Hawick burr and Barry Davies are two prime examples of perfect commentators and with many others came out of years of experience working around the country honing their skills before being picked by the BBC. Others include Cliff Morgan, Peter Sullivan, Dan Maskell and company. Inimitable and unique. Not to mention those like Byron Butler that remained for the most part on radio.....'Maradona turns like a little eel'
I grew up listening to Bryon Butler on the radio. He was a great commentator and really brought games that you could never see on TV, like European Cup matches, to life.
I was very sad to hear he had died. I played golf from a young boy with my father and we both very keen golfers, and we would watch the major tournaments like The Open on BBC2 all through the day. Peter Alliss's quality was that it just seemed like we had a nice uncle in the living room discussing the golf with us in a kind, conversational manner with a continual flavour of gentle amusement. Wonderful days, and yet another person who played a big part in my younger life bites the dust.
Alliss was very good in his day but it's a shame he didn't step back a few years ago as he became a bit of a golf club bore. I remember watching Jean van de Valde imploding at Carnoustie in 1999. It was great entertainment - albeit terrible golf - but all Alliss kept on chuntering about was how he didn't want a playoff as his wife had made him a nice steak dinner which would be going cold. Perhaps it was supposed to be funny but he just came across as a grumpy old man. I prefer the Sky coverage although Andrew Cotter is good (and his dogs are great).