RIP Eddie Butler

Losty Dublin

Sad news today from of all places, Peru, where he was taking part in a charity walk. While he wasn't a star for Welsh Rugby at it's height, Eddie was capped 18 times in the so called "Barren Era" for his country at a time when caps were harder to come by; he also represented the Lions and the Barbarians and his beloved Pontypool, whom he also captained.

After retiring from the game, he was best known as a commentator who was both soft spoken and unflappable in his delivery.

https://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2022/0915/1323634-legendary-welsh-player-commentator-eddie-butler-dies/

https://youtu.be/meOeXZabvQA

Mewn cydymdeimlad - With Sympathy.

RichT

Always watch The BBC coverage for rugby when I have the choice.

God I'll miss his voice!

RIP Eddie

OldRio

Awful news. RIP Eddie.

Kaisr Sose

Very sudden. Rip Eddie. I will miss your voice and commentary.

griffin100

The commentator with the best voice in any sport. I will miss his commentary. RIP.

FrancieBrady

Fabulous voice, will be missed.

RIP.

stephen_n

Such and enthusiastic fan of the game, his commentary always came across with a passionate love of the game. Even though it was so calmly delivered.

RIP

Podge_irl

Opening of the 6N simply won't be the same without his utterly fantastic over the top montage introduction. Utterly wonderful voice

bob b

Pontypool not pontypridd. The Olympic coverage by the BBC will not be the same either.

Nos da Ed

Kaisr Sose

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119623466#Comment_119623466

Aye, his voice and narrative was the 6 Nations, even Rugby itself. It just won't be the same. His spirit and voice will live forever

y0ssar1an22

a great commentator, powerful and relaxing at the same time.

RIP, and condolences to his family and friends

dublinman1990

I am stunned beyond words at this sad news. I always loved hearing his voice while watching the Six Nations on the BBC. His voice had authority and gravitas that cannot be matched by other rugby commentators around him today. I will miss his presence in not hearing his great voice from the commentary box from now on. RIP.

leakyboots

Sad news, I always enjoyed hearing him commentate, there are not many around like him now that give that same presence. I enjoy the Scottish commentator (who's name escapes me) but he doesn't have the same gravitas as mentioned above.

chicorytip

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058263538/rip-eddie-butler

This is not newsworthy, let alone worthy of a thread on Boards

Losty Dublin

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119623737#Comment_119623737

Yeah, thanks for that and have edited same.

pappyodaniel

The BBC spoiled us with Bill McClaren and then Eddie Butler. It's the main reason why I'm so fussy when it comes to sports commentary. When you've heard it done properly it's then very hard to listen to Conor McNamara or Ryle Nugent.

ButtersSuki

Very sad news, RIP Eddie.

thebaz

such a great voice for Commentary - will be missed for coming winter and autumn series.

ohnonotgmail

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119624510#Comment_119624510

Andrew Cotter? Great commentator bit more of an all-rounder than Eddie who nobody could beat for rugby.

His voiceover in the BBC summary of the 2012 Olympic Games (‘a golden games’), which he wrote himself, was stunning and poetic. Perhaps the most memorable of his work for me. He was an amazing writer and broadcaster. RIP

phog

I enjoyed his commentary which was sometimes very much seen through Welsh glasses but always entertaining. He could have taught a few Irish guys how to commentate on rugby match.

Condolences to his family and colleagues in rugby and media. RIP

VeryOwl

Just saw this in The Guardian. Awful. Really brought every match to life.

RIP and condolences to his family and friends.

AbusesToilets

Sad news, a loss to the game

leakyboots

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119625465#Comment_119625465

That's the one, I enjoy him a lot. But as I said, he doesn't carry the same gravitas as Eddie in those heightened moments like when teams are camped on the tryline (whereas someone like Ryle overeggs it completely for me), but then that's just a different delivery style.

McLaren had a lovely passionate, sometimes glib, way of commentating. Cotter isn't too far away from him in terms of style.

Back to Eddie, a huge loss. I used switch to BBC for England/Wales games just to hear him and Brian Moore at it.