ITV Announce They Will Not Renew Andy Townsend’s Contract – REJOICE FOR WE ARE FREE AT LAST!

Chris Wright

8th, January 2015

6 Comments

By Chris Wright

Soccer - UEFA Euro 2016 - Qualifying - Group E - Switzerland v England - St Jakob-Park Stadium

“Listen. I just think he should be doing better with that, Clive”

It’s taken over a decade (15 long, gruelling, mind-mulchingly monotonous years to be precise) and the loss of their rights to screen FA Cup, Champions League and Europa League games as of 2015/16, but ITV have finally – finally! – announced that they will be severing ties with Andy Townsend at the end of the season.

Not that they’ll have much football that needs co-commentating on next year, but the broadcasters have decided not to renew the contracts of both Townsend and auxiliary presenter Matt Smith.

It’s the day we’ve been waiting for 15 sodding years: The axis of tedium….has finally been smashed!

freedom-braveheart

Free…at last. There’s time now. We have…time.

Of course, we owe a debt of gratitude to Townsend for introducing a brave new lexicon to the punditry oeuvre, with several of his classic quips now seen as intrinsic parts of the footballing tapestry:

“I’m just wondering there, Clive: could he have hit that first time?”

…and…

“I’m just thinking…maybe he could’ve taken a touch there, Clive.”

…and…

“Listen. I’m just thinking there, Clive, that he should really be looking to hit that one first time.”

…and, of course…

“I think it’s just a bit big for him, Clive. Maybe he should’ve taken a touch?”

Wow, he will be sorely missed.

More classic Andy Townsend moments on Pies…

Andy Townsend Displays His Exemplary Ball Control For Boro, 1998