Overview - Match of the Day

Overview

BBC's football highlights and analysis. "The longest-running football television programme in the world" as recognised by Guinness World Records in 2015.

Seasons

• Name: Season 1964/65

  Episode: 37

  Match of the Day begins on 22 August 1964, for coverage of Liverpool versus Arsenal. Kenneth Wolstenholme opens the programme with the 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." The programme began on BBC TWO where it remained until 1966.

  Date first aired: 1964-08-22

• Name: Season 1965/66

  Episode: 33

  Despite attempts by some clubs to prevent its return due to fear over ticket sales, Match of the Day returned to the BBC in October 1965 two months after the start of the new season. The duration of each programme had been reduced to 45 minutes in length and it could no longer be broadcast before 10.00pm.

  Date first aired: 1965-10-02

• Name: Season 1966/67

  Episode: 40

  In the year that saw England win the World Cup, Match of the Day moves to BBC ONE.

  Date first aired: 1966-08-20

• Name: Season 1967/68

  Episode: 42

  Once again, protracted negotiations during the summer ensured the return of the show. In order to secure the deal the BBC had to agree to broadcast five matches from Division Two and two from Divisions Three or Four as well as the 23 Division One games that they wanted.

  Date first aired: 1967-08-05

• Name: Season 1968/69

  Episode: 38

  Grandstand presenter David Coleman begins regularly presenting Match of the Day.

  Date first aired: 1968-08-03

• Name: Season 1969/70

  Episode: 40

  From 1969, the programme becomes live and studio based, rather than being pre-recorded at the ground of the featured match, and there were now two games seen each week.

  Date first aired: 1969-08-02

• Name: Season 1970/71

  Episode: 43

  1970 saw the introduction of the Goal of the Month competition, which led to thousands of postcards being sent to the BBC.

  Date first aired: 1970-08-08

• Name: Season 1971/72

  Episode: 43

  John Motson makes his debut as a Match of the Day commentator.

  Date first aired: 1971-07-31

• Name: Season 1972/73

  Episode: 43

  The current contractual agreement meant that Match of the Day had to lead with a Division Two fixture, and twice with a match from Division Three.

  Date first aired: 1972-07-29