Before the action, we had that lovely old intro, old clips, old voices, old logos, old Kenneth Wolstenholme telling us from August 1964: ‘Welcome to Match of the Day.’
Ah, familiarity, our old friend. Despite an addiction to trying to fix what is not broken, the BBC begin each and every MOTD by celebrating how long this staple of Saturday nights has been on our screens, since a time when Wolstenholme was being beamed to us in black and white.
It was at least with relief that the Beeb stuck with this theme of familiarity for their first broadcast of the 2026-27 season, if accompanied by some apprehension over whether that feeling would last.
They had advertised their new line-up this last week, after all, telling us to expect to see Thomas Frank, Toby Alderweireld, Robbie Keane and Ashley Young on our screens while simultaneously plugging their four new YouTube shows in a bid to tap into the young’uns.
Got to modernise. Go after the audience that apparently doesn’t think terrestrially.
But this particular MOTD was more a case of same old, same old, and not only because it started with that vintage montage and theme tune which, if they tried to bin next in favour of some modern track, I’d be tempted to launch a petition of my own.
The BBC stuck with a sense of familiarity for the first Match of the Day of the season
I would launch a petition if they ever changed the show’s opening, writes Kieran Gill
The Beeb did not want to suddenly beam fresh faces into our living rooms. They saved the new blood, and scrutiny, for another time. Instead we saw those we know and trust.
Mark Chapman was in the hot seat. We know Chappers. We like Chappers. He, along with Kelly Cates and Gabby Logan, were chosen well as Gary Lineker’s successors.
After a week in which we learned there is discontent behind the scenes at MOTD at the direction of this crown jewel’s travel, Chapman’s tongue-in-cheek opener was: ‘Happy new season. Match of the Day returns. We’re all smiles here. Just look at Alan Shearer and Wayne Rooney.’
More familiarity. We like them, too. They add to the broadcast. We could watch the highlights online if we wanted, hours before MOTD. We tune in because it adds analysis in between the action, including the stylish statistical graphics they show, and that is what we want.
When we will next see Shearer in one of these seats, who knows. We are told he has scaled back his contractual commitments, and as well as giving him back his weekends by only doing one show a month if that, he supposedly has beef with those above him.
In his place, Frank should be a good addition. He has authority. Despite what happened with Tottenham Hotspur, he is a fine, modern, intelligent coach, and impressed during the 2026 World Cup, which the BBC predominantly covered from Salford as we know.
Also entering via the revolving door, Alderweireld and Keane can expect their takes on Spurs will end up being separate stories online, especially if they are controversial.
Rooney branding Manchester United’s defending as ‘schoolboy’ on Saturday will have had the odd news editor tempted to ask for copy to be bashed up, I’m sure.
Alan Shearer and Wayne Rooney are good pundits, but we will see a heavily revolving cast
Yet it will be intriguing to see how they all click together and if there is chemistry, the type that Shearer, Richards and Lineker forged over time spent working together. Apparently that concern surrounding camaraderie forms part of the mutiny occurring within MOTD.
Millions still trust their Saturday nights in the hands of the BBC. Myself included, having watched this show since my parents let me stay up late enough to do so.
Those of us who love the company of MOTD never want it to go the same way as Football Focus, its sister show which ended in May after 52 years on air.
Changing it too much would be a risk. At least the Beeb saw enough sense to show us what we wanted to see on this occasion as we settled in for Hull’s big win on their return to the Premier League and the other highlights thereafter. On to what next week brings.
