Join us in celebrating talkSPORT’s 25th birthday by looking back at some of the most iconic moments on-air – featuring an all-star cast of hosts, sports stars and our beloved callers.
We’ve had some truly legendary calls into the station over the years – from the heartfelt to hilarious, from the depths of fan despair to the downright strange.
‘He’s only 28’, ‘He scored sooo many goooals’ and the words ‘Schmeltz Herring’ have become part of radio folklore – and it’s all thanks to our dear listeners.
You’re a bonkers, weird and wacky bunch, but we love you. Yes, even you 100% Mo!
So here’s to 25 more years and beyond, as we strive to not become ‘deader than a dead thing from dead land’ (as our dear friend Simon Jordan would say) and continue to bring you first-class sports coverage and more memorable moments.
And we start with our old faithful pairing of former Sports Bar duo Andy Goldstein and Jason Cundy, and a conversation with one of the most infamous callers in talkSPORT history.
Definitely something very fishy going on here…
We’re staying with the original Sports Bar team (no offense Jamie O’Hara) for clip No.2, when Goldstein was at his mischievous best as he fooled Cundy with a good and proper stitch up.
The former Chelsea man thought he was interviewing Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard, but it did not go well… not well at all. A good job it wasn’t actually him, then.
You actually start to feel a bit sorry for poor ol’ Jase at one point – for maybe about three seconds.
Next up is one of the most poignant calls we’ve ever had on talkSPORT, which came after the passing of one of our own – the late, great Ray Wilkins.
Butch was a friend to all at talkSPORT Towers – a humble giant of the English game who always asked how you were and, when asked the same question in return, he would often reply: “I’m dangerously well.”
It was even ‘disgustingly well’ once – causing the entire office to erupt with laughter.
He was a true gent, Ray, and one man who knew that more than most was a former soldier who joined talkSPORT to recount the time Butch helped him turn his life around, in one of the station’s most unforgettable moments.
Adrian Durham is one of sports broadcasting’s great original trolls – just ask Arsenal fans.
Our Ade had a particular skill – and fondness, no doubt – of getting under people’s skin, particularly if you supported the red side of north London.
But it wasn’t just Gooners he used to wind up on Drive, sometimes the stars themselves couldn’t resist biting back from time to time – one of those was Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher.
But he didn’t just respond on social media, text or an email – he phoned into the show to call out the legendary host… and Durham clearly wasn’t expecting it.
The weird thing is, though, that this encounter led them to become firm friends! Football’s an odd place, isn’t it?
We couldn’t have a ‘best of’ list without a Simon Jordan bust-up – and this was possibly the most explosive of his reign as talkSPORT’s Mr Opinion so far.
Here’s when Mr Jordan took on Piers Morgan over his headline Cristiano Ronaldo interview – saying it was all chummy chummy, nicey nicey and too one-sided as CR7 explained why he left Manchester United.
And he even played the Meghan Markle card…
We’ve saved the best for last in this list of iconic talkSPORT moments – and, really, they need no introduction.
So sit back and get ready to laugh for the millionth time as a Hearts fan fumes at why Finnish goalkeeper Antti Niemi wasn’t called-up for Scotland.
It’s probably the finest moment of our entire 25 years on air.
And, of course, a Newcastle fan who was reduced to tears as he remembered one of their all-time great goalscorers.
No, not Alan Shearer – Micky Quinn of course!
“He scored sooo many goooals!”
