Ally McCoist is a fan's favourite when it comes to co-comms – and speaking as part of the Papa John's ‘Sign for Your Club’ campaign, he told FFT his best-ever quip
(Image credit: Papa John's)
Ally McCoist has been speaking to FourFourTwo about the joy of co-commentary – and has told us his favourite historical fact that he's used on the mic.
While many co-commentators deliver the same boring cliches about the beautiful game, McCoist brightened up Colombia against Poland in 2018 by talking about the progress that the host city had made in the last few centuries.
“Kazan has come a long way since it fell to Ivan the Terrible in 1552,” he waxed to lead commentator, Jon Champion – and now Ally has told FFT that it's probably the best fact he's delivered during a game.
The time Ally McCoist took commentary to new levels pic.twitter.com/1De59i9AfUMarch 22, 2020
"Ivan the Terrible! That’s my favourite, I’ve got to say," the ex-Question of Sport captain giggled. "That one was for Jon Champion: he was enjoying it more than anybody.
"Jon and I got on great and when we used to go to these places, we would go and have a historical walk. I really enjoyed Kazan and the line about how it hadn’t half changed since Ivan the Terrible or whatever it was – I know I shouldn’t laugh at my own jokes, but yeah, that did tickle me!
"We do have good fun, I mean the co-comms is effectively the best job in the world, man. You’re effectively doing what every football fan on the planet would love to be doing – apart from playing, of course, playing’s the best thing.
"But dear me, sitting on these games, it’s maybe not the best seat in the house but it’s the best view – but sitting up there, being able to see the whole pitch… sometimes you’ve got to pinch yourself, it’s brilliant."
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(Image credit: PA Images)
McCoist was chatting to FFT as part of the ‘Sign for Your Club’ campaign. The former forward has teamed up with Harry Redknapp to give two people to put pen to paper on a real-life pro contract with their EFL or SPFL club.
All fans, regardless of age or gender, will be in with a chance to earn the contract as well as a massive £15,000 for their club, as well as receiving an official squad number, attending a training session, and even meeting the manager. The opportunity from the brand has been launched as part of its title sponsorship of the EFL Trophy (now the Papa John’s Trophy) and partnership with SPFL in Scotland.
"Papa Johns have been fantastic – and it’s really been great working with Harry Redknapp," he says. "I’ve known Harry for 100 years, all the way back doing co-comms, Question of Sport and all that. And it was just something that I thought would really appeal to me, you know, giving a fan an opportunity to sign for a club, get a contract for club.
"And it’s a full circle for me – absolutely. They say that life’s a full circle and that’s exactly what it was. But one of the main attractions was working with Harry and I’ve got to say that you’re guaranteed a good time with Harry. Giving fans an opportunity was fantastic, too, it’s great to give something back."
All fans need to do to be in with a chance to live the dream is tell Harry and Ally why they deserve this once in a lifetime opportunity at www.papajohns.co.uk/signforyourclub
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Mark White has been at on FourFourTwo since joining in January 2020, first as a staff writer before becoming content editor in 2023. An encyclopedia of football shirts and boots knowledge – both past and present – Mark has also represented FFT at both FA Cup and League Cup finals (though didn't receive a winners' medal on either occasion) and has written pieces for the mag ranging on subjects from Bobby Robson's season at Barcelona to Robinho's career. He has written cover features for the mag on Mikel Arteta and Martin Odegaard, and is assisted by his cat, Rosie, who has interned for the brand since lockdown.
