Subject: Colemanballs

Colemanballs:

A term coined by British magazine “Private Eye,” to describe verbal gaffes, errors or misuse of words and phrases spoken by British football (soccer) announcers, coaches or players – initially BBC broadcaster David Coleman and the suffix -balls, as in “to balls up” or make a mistake.

Moses Kiptanui, the 19 year old Kenyan, who turned 20 a few weeks ago…

(1926 – ) English sports commentator
Colemanballs Misspokements Sports

This Sport is Stupid Anyway – USA Out of World Cup

Colemanballs Headlines

Our central defenders, Doherty and Anthony Gardner, were fantastic and I told them that when they go to bed tonight they should think of each other.

English football player, manager & sports commentator
Colemanballs

Dumbarton player Steve McCahill has limped off with a badly cut forehead.

Colemanballs

If you take away their five goals, there was nothing between the teams.

English football player
Colemanballs

I never comment on referees and I’m not going to break the habit of a lifetime for that prat.

English former football player & manager
Colemanballs

That’s a question mark everyone’s asking.

South African football player
Colemanballs

The team must try to get their ship back on the road.

England football player
Colemanballs Mixed metaphors

From now on, it's the start of a new beginning.

Irish football player & coach
Colemanballs

The number of chances they had before the goal they missed..

English football player & announcer
Colemanballs

Her time is about 4.33, which she’s capable of.

(1926 – ) English sports commentator
Colemanballs Misspokements Sports

Unfortunately, we don’t get a second chance; we’ve already played them twice.

English football player & analyst
Colemanballs

Northern Ireland were in white, which was quite appropriate because three inches of snow had to be cleared from the pitch before kick off.

English television football commentator
Colemanballs

Eighty per cent of teams who score first in matches go on to win them; but they may draw some… or occasionally lose.

English football player, manager & sports commentator
Colemanballs

Football's all about 90 minutes.

English football player & manager
Colemanballs

I think I've got the mucus of a good team.

Colemanballs Malaprops

If that ball had crossed the line, it would have been a goal.

Argentine football player
Colemanballs

And now International Soccer Special, Manchester United v Southampton.

(1926 – ) English sports commentator
Colemanballs

Football’s not like an electric light; you can’t just flick the switch and change from quick to slow.

Scottish football player
Colemanballs

If we played like that every week, we wouldn’t be so inconsistent.

English football player & manager
Colemanballs

He tried out this new formation, 4-3-1-2… bit like the Christmas Tree formation.

English football player & announcer
Colemanballs