Kenneth Wolstenholme, who died on 25 March 2002, was the BBC’s much-loved “voice of football” for 20 years in the 1950s and 60s.

He is best remembered for the most famous phrase in football, “Some people are on the pitch… they think it’s all over… it is now,” uttered at the end of England ’s 1966 Wembley World Cup final victory.

A trailblazer in sports broadcasting, Mr Wolstenholme was the first commentator on BBC’s “Match of the Day” in 1964.

The archetypal football commentator, he starred in BBC Radio 4 comedy “Lenin of the Rovers”: the long-running TV sports quiz “They Think It’s All Over” was named after his trademark phrase.

Kenneth Wolstenholme was born on 17 July 1920 in Worsley, Lancastershire. He was the goalkeeper in his school football team and saw his first football match, a Bolton Wanderers game, at age 4.

At the outbreak of the Second World War, he left his first job at the Manchester Evening News to train as a bomber pilot. He flew more than 100 missions, receiving several promotions and two Distinguished Flying Crosses.

A job working in the RAF public relations department with the leading sports reporter at the Daily Express inspired him to become a sports journalist.

His lucky break came when he blagged a press ticket to the 1946 FA cup semi-final. In the press box, he met a friend from his flying days who was a sports editor.

His friend offered him some freelance work, after which BBC Radio invited him to commentate on the Scarborough cricket festival. Further freelance commentating work followed before he was offered a BBC staff job.

Between 1949 and 1971, his northern accent was a familiar accompaniment to every world cup final as well as numerous european and international matches. But he is best remembered for his commentary on the 1966 World Cup Final.

As the BBC’s leading football commentator, he was the obvious choice to present Match of the Day, first broadcast in August 1964.

After leaving the BBC in 1971, he commentated for Tyne Tees and Channel 4, and he played football commentator Frank Lee Brian in BBC Radio 4 comedy “Lenin of the Rovers”.

Kenneth Wolstenholme’s terse, even-tempered style reflected the post-war British mood and was outdated by the 1970s when football supporters demanded highly-strung, emotional commentary.

His 1966 Cup Final commentary perfectly described the action on the pitch and captured the public imagination.

With the Cup Final almost over and England leading 3-2, there was a small pitch invasion. He remarked, “Some people are on the pitch. They think it’s all over.” Then, as Geoff Hurst scored again for England , he said, “It is now.”

This phrase ensured his legacy, inspiring a radio comedy acting role, the title of a TV sports quiz and a comedy song by Bill Oddie.