Archie Macpherson

Archibald "Archie" Macpherson (born 1937) is a Scottish football commentator and author.

He has been commentating on Scottish football, via both radio and television, for over four decades.

Early life

Macpherson was born and raised in the Shettleston area of Glasgow. His father had played as a centre forward for Shettleston, Dalry Thistle and Largs Thistle.

Broadcasting career

Macpherson has worked for the BBC, STV, Eurosport, Setanta Sports, Radio Clyde and Talksport although he initially struggled to gain a foothold in broadcasting. Indeed, his first job was as a teacher where he supplemented his income by getting short stories published in local newspapers. Such efforts paid off and helped Archie gain his initial big break at the BBC. He continued to work as a teacher until 1969 when he joined the BBC on a full-time basis.

Popular perception

Macpherson has made his own personal appearances within Scottish popular culture. Famously he once appeared on Rikki Fulton's Scotch and Wry (a prominent comedy sketch show screened by BBC Scotland) being mistaken for former University Challenge host Bamber Gascoigne. In the film adaptation of Irvine Welsh's cult novel Trainspotting he re-voiced his commentary for Archie Gemmill's famous goal for Scotland against the Netherlands at the 1978 World Cup as a sex scene unfolded at the same time, both pieces of action climaxing simultaneously.