Desert Island Clips

Rugby league has always been a working man’s sport ever since it was born after the Northern Union split from their southern counterparts and this commentary defines everything that is great about the game.

During the Regal Trophy Final in 1994, Mick Morgan sounds like any other fan packed inside Headingley rather than a commentator broadcasting to thousands of people when the Wigan player swings a stiff arm in the direction of his Castleford opponent consequently causing Morgan to lose his cool. He can't help but show his West Yorkshire roots as he orders the referee to 'walk him if he's got any bottle'.

The reason I chose this commentary is because it shows what is great about rugby league, it sticks to its heritage of being an M62 corridor sport rather than be made into some fancy corporate event in which 'prawn sandwich eaters' want to attend. The lack of professionalism makes it something to behold, phrases such as 'gerrim off t' field', ‘I can’t speyk’ and ‘you bottless get Campbell’ have made him a cult hero in the town of Castleford and even has Antipodean fans.

I’ve been lucky enough to meet the man behind the voice in 2015 when England opened the test series against New Zealand with a comfortable 26-16 victory and he is a credit to the game, he could sit there for hours telling stories from the all-time greats he’s battled against to the big matches he’s commentated on.

Mick Morgan is an inspiration to anyone who comes from a background with a strong accent which wouldn’t be classed as proper English who wants to work in sports broadcasting because instead of losing his origin as being a working class man from an industrial background he has embraced it in a rebellious way against the big media outlets who would cut their ears off if anyone like this ever covered one of their games. His unique style of commentating represents how everyone should approach their life; being themselves instead of pretending to be someone they’re not just to impress people.

Here's a video of Mick Morgan explaining his antics in the commentary box.