The First Match of the Day: Which Game Kicked Off the Iconic BBC Show?

On August 22, 1964, BBC Two aired the very first episode of Match of the Day, featuring highlights from Liverpool’s 3-2 victory over Arsenal at Anfield.

The show’s inaugural broadcast, which aired at 6:30 PM, drew a modest audience of just 20,000 viewers – less than half the number of fans who attended the actual match.

Kenneth Wolstenholme, the show’s first presenter, opened the program with what would become historic words:

“Welcome to Match of the Day, the first of a weekly series coming to you every Saturday on BBC Two.

“As you can hear we’re in Beatleville for this Liverpool versus Arsenal match”.

Initially, the program was conceived as a training exercise for BBC cameramen and technicians preparing for the 1966 World Cup, for which the BBC was the host broadcaster.

Few could have predicted that this “temporary” show would become one of British television’s most enduring institutions.

The Historic First Match

Liverpool and Arsenal made television history at Anfield in what would become the first game ever broadcast on Match of the Day.

The match itself was a thrilling encounter, with the reigning First Division champions Liverpool emerging victorious in a five-goal thriller, defeating Arsenal 3-2.

The game kicked off with Liverpool missing key players Ian St John (appendicitis) and Alf Arrowsmith (injury).

The atmosphere was quintessentially Liverpudlian, with the teams emerging from the old Anfield tunnel to the Beatles’ “She Loves You” – a fitting soundtrack given commentator Kenneth Wolstenholme’s famous opening line.

Roger Hunt etched his name into broadcasting history by scoring the first goal ever shown on Match of the Day, finding the net in the 11th minute with an acrobatic volley into the far corner from Ian Callaghan’s cross.

Gordon Wallace extended Liverpool’s lead after the break, before Arsenal mounted a comeback through Geoff Strong and Joe Baker to level the scores.

However, Wallace would have the final say, scoring a dramatic winner from range in the 87th minute.

The choice of this fixture was significant, featuring the reigning First Division champions Liverpool against Billy Wright’s Arsenal side.

Liverpool would go on to finish the 1964/65 season in seventh place, while Arsenal ended up in 13th position, just three points behind the Reds.

Growth and Development

Match of the Day’s technical journey mirrors the fascinating evolution of television broadcasting itself.

The program made a groundbreaking leap into colour television on November 15, 1969, when viewers watched Liverpool take on West Ham United in vibrant hues for the first time.

This technological advancement transformed how fans experienced the beautiful game from their living rooms, bringing the atmosphere and energy of match days into sharp, colourful focus.

The early 1970s ushered in another revolutionary change with the introduction of slow-motion replays, allowing viewers to scrutinise crucial moments and contentious decisions in unprecedented detail.

The show’s viewing figures tell a remarkable story of growth – from its humble beginnings with just 20,000 viewers in 1964, the program flourished to attract regular audiences of 12 million by the mid-1970s.

While modern viewing figures average around 6 million per weekend, this remains impressive in today’s fragmented media landscape.

A significant milestone in the show’s commitment to diversity and modernisation came in 2007 when Jacqui Oatley broke new ground as the first female commentator, marking a progressive shift in what had traditionally been a male-dominated domain.

Who Has Presented The Show?

The story of Match of the Day can be traced through its charismatic presenters, each bringing their own distinctive style to the nation’s most beloved football show.

Kenneth Wolstenholme, already famous for his “they think it’s all over” World Cup commentary, became the program’s first voice in 1964.

His authoritative yet warm delivery set the template for all who would follow, steering the show through its formative years until 1970.

David Coleman then took the reins, his precise and energetic style helping to establish the show’s reputation for excellence during his three-year tenure.

The legendary Jimmy Hill ushered in a new era in 1973, becoming synonymous with the program during his remarkable 15-year run.

His innovative approach to analysis and willingness to tackle controversial topics transformed football punditry forever.

The smooth-talking Des Lynam brought his sophisticated charm to the role in 1988, masterfully guiding viewers through the dawn of the Premier League era.

Since 1999, former England striker Gary Lineker has been the show’s trusted anchor, his wit and football expertise making him the longest-serving host in the program’s history.

Each presenter has contributed to Match of the Day’s evolution from a simple highlights show to a British cultural institution, with Lineker’s current tenure marking a quarter-century of stewardship that has seen the program adapt successfully to the digital age.

Controversies and Challenges

The path of Match of the Day has been marked by several significant controversies throughout its history.

In 1965, the show faced its first major challenge when several football clubs mounted strong opposition to the BBC’s coverage.

Their primary concern was that televised matches would lead to declining stadium attendance, threatening their financial stability.

This standoff resulted in a unique compromise. The BBC agreed not to reveal which match would be featured until all games had concluded, an arrangement that remained in place for nearly two decades until 1983.

The most dramatic controversy in the show’s recent history erupted in March 2023 when host Gary Lineker was suspended over his social media comments criticising government immigration policy.

Lineker had compared the language used in a new asylum policy to that of 1930s , prompting the BBC to temporarily remove him from his presenting duties.

This decision triggered an unprecedented chain reaction, with fellow presenters Ian Wright, Alan Shearer, and Alex Scott withdrawing their services in solidarity.

The crisis led to a drastically altered format of the show, stripped of its familiar presentation, commentary, and analysis.

The Lineker Effect

The Lineker controversy had far-reaching implications beyond the show itself.

The BBC’s football coverage was severely disrupted across all platforms, with several football clubs refusing to conduct BBC interviews in protest.

The shortened, presenter-less version of Match of the Day that aired during this period lasted just 20 minutes, featuring only basic match highlights without any studio elements.

Ironically, this stripped-down version attracted 2.58 million viewers – the highest audience of that calendar year, representing an increase of 500,000 viewers from the previous week.

The crisis was ultimately resolved when Lineker was reinstated on March 13, 2023, with the BBC announcing a review of its social media guidelines.

Changing With The Times

The show’s enduring success can be attributed to its willingness to embrace change while maintaining its core identity.

The introduction of the Goal of the Month competition in 1970 marked one of the show’s first major innovations, creating a new level of audience engagement that continues to generate ionate debate among football fans today.

This popular segment has become such an integral part of British football culture that winning Goal of the Month is now considered a prestigious accolade among professional players.

The program took perhaps its boldest step in December 1983 when it began broadcasting live matches, fundamentally changing its relationship with viewers who could now experience the tension and drama of games in real-time alongside the traditional highlights format.

As television evolved into the digital age, Match of the Day demonstrated remarkable adaptability, expanding its presence across multiple platforms.

The show now maintains a robust digital presence through social media channels, mobile apps, and online platforms, allowing fans to engage with content beyond the traditional broadcast.

This digital evolution has enabled the program to reach younger audiences while maintaining its appeal to long-time viewers, with match highlights, analysis, and memorable moments now accessible on-demand through BBC iPlayer and generating millions of views across social media platforms.

Current Format and Success

Today, Match of the Day remains a cornerstone of British sports broadcasting.

After 60 years on air, it holds the Guinness World Record for the longest-running football TV program in the world.

Its influence extends beyond mere sports coverage – the show has become a British cultural institution, with its theme music, presentation style, and format widely recognized and often imitated.

The program continues to thrive in the digital age, with MOTD clips generating over 150 million views on social media and the BBC Sport website last season.

This success demonstrates how the show has successfully maintained its relevance while adapting to modern viewing habits.

As Match of the Day celebrates its 60th anniversary in 2024, it remains the definitive source for Premier League highlights, combining tradition with innovation to serve new generations of football fans.

The show’s journey from a modest beginning in 1964 to its current status as a broadcasting institution reflects not just the evolution of football coverage, but of British television itself.