‘Massive loss': Voice of Australian football Simon Hill quits commentary role
Legendary football commentator Simon Hill has announced he is leaving Australia, bringing an end to a decorated career behind the microphone on these shores.
Hill announced on Tuesday that this weekend's A-League Grand Final between Melbourne City and Melbourne Victory will be the final domestic Australian fixture he commentates.
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He will call the Socceroos' World Cup qualifiers against Japan and Saudi Arabia in June before moving home to the UK.
'As some of you may have seen, Saturdays' Grand Final will be my last A-League match,' Hill wrote on X.
'I have made the decision to return to the UK, where I hope to continue my commentary career (I'm not retiring - can't afford to!).
'I've spent 22 brilliant years in Australia, most of them covering this wonderful, crazy (& at times, infuriating!) competition and I'll miss it & my colleagues at 10, but I feel now is the right time.
'I'll still be around for the WCQ's in June - but a big thank you to everyone in the community who (largely!) accepted me as one of their own. I hope I paid that back by working hard & fighting for this beautiful game that we all love!'
Hill told 10 News: 'I feel a pull towards home. My parents are elderly.
'It will be sad (leaving Australia). It's been a huge part of my life.'
Over the past two decades, Hill has become known as the voice of Australian football through his calls of the A-League and Socceroos matches and World Cups on Fox Sports and Channel 10.
His famous calls include John Aloisi's penalty to send the Socceroos to the 2006 World Cup and Tim Cahill's two goals in a shock win over Japan at that World Cup.
He also called Andrew Redmayne's penalty shootout heroics against Peru that secured Australia a spot at the 2022 World Cup, as well as countless A-League classics during the late 2000s and 2010s.
Just last weekend, Hill led the praise for Ange Postecoglou after the Tottenham boss became the first Australian manager to win a European Cup.
Hill was inundated with messages from Australian football fans thanking him for his contribution to the game Down Under.
The official A-League account posted: 'Thank you for your service to the A-Leagues and Australian football, Simon. The voice of countless magic moments in our game.
'Wishing you all the best for your return home.'
Sports reporter Mark Gottlieb said: 'This is terribly sad news for Australian football Simon. Thank you for being a great colleague to work with and for being one of the voices of football for much of my life. Good luck mate.'
Tennis legend Paul McNamee said: 'Well played Simon… top commentator and voice of reason… thank you for your services to Australian football.'
Sebastian Hassett said: 'Well, this is very disappointing news... Simon's been the voice of Australian football for more than 20 years now.
'A most robust advocate for the game and the finest caller we've ever had. Let's hope we're hear him call the Premier League and World Cup finals - he deserves it..'
One fan wrote on X: 'Jeez this is up there with losing Les Murray - actually for me it's even more considering you've been here most of my life!
'Good luck with the move back home and thank you for all the memories - you've literally been there for every big moment in Australian football since you've been here.'
Another said: 'A massive loss to Australian football. Simon has consistently stood up for the game and its' fans in a way that few people have been brave enough to do.
'Hopefully more people in the UK get to experience his brilliance. Those big A-League games won't be quite the same without him.'
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