Kenyan football fans took to social media to express their concerns following news that the man regarded as the world’s best soccer commentator in Peter Drury is heading to NBC Sports.
Drury is replacing Arlo White as the lead commentator for NBC’s coverage of the Premier League with his tenure set to start next season in August.
Arlo White’s career with NBC Sports’ coverage of the Premier League ran from 2013/14 through 2021/22. In the nine years of commentating, he became a familiar voice for fans of English soccer in the United States.
Prior to this season, Drury has been calling the biggest games on the world-feed, often alongside Jim Beglin.
The return of CR7 by Peter Drury pic.twitter.com/bXtFzoO5je
— Eric Njiru (@EricNjiiru) May 31, 2022
Widely regarded as one of the finest sports commentators around, Peter Drury was in fine form once again following Real Madrid’s dramatic Champions League semi-final victory against English opposition Manchester City in May.
ABSOLUTE SCENES IN MADRID.
LIMBS EVERYWHERE. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/FLjuspIvlV
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) May 4, 2022
Since starting his career in TV in 1998, Drury has blessed viewers with iconic commentary pieces in many sports including competitions such as World Cup, the Premier League, the Champions League or the FA Cup.
Renowned for his incredible monologues, the poetic words of Peter Drury have enhanced big moments into legendary pieces of history.
Spoke to Peter Drury earlier on and he’ll miss his Nairobi fans(World feed) pic.twitter.com/NLjfKeXc5r
— Eric Njiru (@EricNjiiru) May 31, 2022
Nothing better exemplifies the commentator’s mastery than his monologue over Roma’s famous victory over Barcelona in 2018. After losing 4-1 in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final, the Italian side won 3-0 at home to go through on away goals.
Roma achieved this in the most dramatic circumstances – a late header from Greek defender Kostas Manolas.
“Roma have risen from their ruins! Manolas, the Greek God in Rome! The unthinkable unfolds be4 our eyes!This wasn't meant to happen. This couldn't happen. This IS happening. It’s a Greek from Mt. Olympus who has come to the seven hills of Rome & pulled off a miracle!” Peter Drury pic.twitter.com/p9u5UMEp7m
— Mansa Musa 👑 (@_moses_chacha) May 31, 2022
Similarly during the 2010 World Cup,he gave fans some magic soundbites. Commentating on the opening game, Drury exploded into life as hosts South Africa took the lead.
“Goal Bafana Bafana. Goal for South Africa, goal for all Africa!”
Siphiwe Tshabalala 🇿🇦👌🏽
Peter Drury 🎙👌🏽10 years ago today. What a moment. What a month. Seeing this goal still makes me emotional. #TshabalalaDay pic.twitter.com/4iWxFxojOS
— Joe Crann (@YesWeCrann) June 11, 2020
The sportscaster was born in 1967 in England and developed his passion and admiration for football from a young age.
Drury’s brothers often accompanied him for a soccer match in the parks with his love for the game urging him to pursue a career related to it.