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50 Golden Years of Sport on BBC Two

Documentary celebrating 50 years of sporting coverage on BBC Two, featuring the origins of iconic brands such as Match of the Day and a look back at some of the greatest moments.

Sue Barker celebrates 50 glorious years of BBC Two sport with the help of Gary Lineker, Sir Ian Botham, Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, Steve Cram, Alan Hansen, Clare Balding, Des Lynam, Murray Walker and comedian Alan Davies.

The documentary reveals the origins of sport on BBC Two, including the creation of Match of the Day in 1964 and other iconic brands like Ski Sunday and Pot Black. It also relives many of the channel's greatest sporting moments including the 1985 snooker World Championship final, which was watched by a record-breaking 18.5 million viewers in the early hours of the morning, Botham's Ashes in 1981, Usain Bolt's 100m world record and many of the highlights of the Winter Olympics.

There is also a chance to listen again to some family favourite TV theme tunes.

59 minutes

Last on

Sun 7 Dec 2014 09:40
BBC Two

Music Played

Timings (where shown) are from the start of the programme in hours and minutes

  • 00:00

    Foxes

    Let Go For Tonight 

  • 00:02

    Fleetwood Mac

    The Chain 

  • 00:02

    Doug Wood Group

    Drag Racer (BBC Snooker theme)

    Theme from BBC Snooker

  • 00:02

    Leslie Statham

    Sporting Occasion

    Orchestra: Queen’s Hall Light Orchestra. Conductor: Robert Farnon.

    Wimbledon closing theme

  • 00:03

    Brian Bennett

    Chase Side Shoot Up

    Orchestra: The London Theatre Orchestra.

    Theme from BBC Golf

  • 00:03

    Booker T. & the MG’s

    Soul Limbo

    Theme from BBC Cricket

  • 00:04

    DeVotchKa

    The Alley 

  • 00:06

    Derek and the Dominos

    Layla

  • 00:08

    Dr. Lonnie Smith

    Spinning Wheel 

  • 00:09

    Jimmy Smith

    Walk On The Wild Side 

  • 00:09

    Barry Stoller

    Match of the Day

  • 00:12

    Röyksopp

    Triumphant 

  • 00:13

    Leslie Statham

    Sporting Occasion

    Orchestra: Queen’s Hall Light Orchestra. Conductor: Robert Farnon.

    Wimbledon closing theme

  • 00:16

    Neil Cowley Trio

    Degree In Intuition 

  • 00:17

    Jimmy Smith

    I Got My Mojo Workin' 

  • 00:22

    Winifred Atwell

    Black And White Rag

    Theme from Pot Black

  • 00:24

    Biffy Clyro

    God and Satan

  • 00:24

    Sam Fonteyn

    Pop Looks Bach (Theme from Ski Sunday)

    Performer: New Dance Orchestra.

    Theme from Ski Sunday

  • 00:26

    Queens of the Stone Age

    First It Giveth 

  • 00:27

    AWOLNATION

    Sail 

  • 00:29

    Giggs

    (is It Gangsta?) Yes Yes Yes 

  • 00:29

    Dickey Betts

    Jessica 

    Theme from Top Gear

  • 00:30

    Keith Mansfield

    Grandstand

    Orchestra: Sound Stage Orchestra.

  • Friction

    Long Gone Memory (feat. Arlissa)

  • 00:33

    Juno Reactor

    Mona Lisa Overdrive

  • 00:34

    Laura Mvula

    Sing To The Moon 

  • 00:35

    Raleigh Ritchie

    Stronger Than Ever

  • 00:36

    Marie-Anne Fischer 

    Full Bloom 

  • 00:39

    Biffy Clyro

    As Dust Dances

  • 00:40

    Douglas Wood Group 

    BBc Darts (cranes) 

  • 00:41

    Liberace

    A Man And A Woman 

  • 00:42

    Jimmy Smith

    The Organ Grinder's Swing 

  • 00:42

    Steve Luck 

    Suspended In A Dream 

  • 00:44

    Lydan Gauntlett 

    River Bed 

  • 00:45

    Michael Scherchen 

    Unbound Marvel 

  • 00:50

    Brian Bennett

    Holy Mackerel

    Theme from Rugby Special

  • 00:51

    Simon Porter 

    This Earth 

  • 00:52

    Erik Satie

    Six Gnossiennes: No.6: Avec Conviction Et Avec Une 

    Performer: Anne Queffélec.
  • 00:57

    Simon Porter 

    Shining Bright 

  • 00:58

    Georgia Mason 

    Running Blind 

Credits

Presenter Sue Barker
Participant Peter Alliss
Participant David Attenborough
Participant Clare Balding
Participant Graham Bell
Participant Ian Botham
Participant Adrian Chiles
Participant Bryan Cowgill
Participant Steve Cram
Participant Alan Davies
Participant Steve Davis
Participant Gareth Edwards
Participant Stephen Fry
Participant Bobby George
Participant Tanni Grey-Thompson
Participant Alan Hansen
Participant Barry Hearn
Participant John Inverdale
Participant Hazel Irvine
Participant Ed Leigh
Participant Gary Lineker
Participant Des Lynam
Participant Andy Murray
Participant Michael Peacock
Participant Steve Rider
Participant Dennis Taylor
Participant Johnny Vegas
Participant Murray Walker
Director Colin Stone
Producer Colin Stone
Executive Producer Carl Doran

Broadcasts

  • Sun 20 Apr 2014 20:00
    BBC Two
  • Sun 27 Apr 2014 18:00
    BBC Two except Scotland
  • Sun 7 Dec 2014 09:40
    BBC Two

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