In the era prior to the arrival of the internet and 24-hour sport channels, newspapers, radio and local television were a staple diet for coverage of your favourite team.
The first opportunity to see highlights and goals would invariably come via BBC Midlands Today or ATV or Central News on ITV.
BBC had Steve Lee. And ITV had Bob. Distinctive and distinguished voices which became associated with watching and enjoying Wolves action back long before it became available online at the push of a button.
With the sad passing of Bob at the age of 76, both he and Steve are now no longer with us. Such sad losses both in terms of their contributions to broadcasting and the Midlands media scene but also as people. Generous and approachable personalities who were always willing to help.
Bob’s was a composed and relaxed broadcasting style which oozed sumptuously from the screen when presenting local news or sport.
If you look up the words ‘calm and unruffled’ in the dictionary, chances are the answer would be Bob Hall.
He made what is actually a really complex job look so simple. So effortless. He was unflappable.
Bob worked in an era of fewer television presenters when there was a familiarity behind their presence in the nation’s living rooms at the time. Like a close friend or even additional member of the family, a comfy pair of slippers, although, in Bob’s case, a very smooth and elegant pair.
Even if he was delivering bad news concerning Wolves – and, let’s face it, there was a fair bit of that during his time in the Midlands – he did so in such a way that it always felt like there was hope and optimism of better times ahead.
‘Look at Bob – he’s not panicking, everything’s gonna turn out o-k.’
His long association with Wolves during his impressive career was not just limited to his work as a broadcast journalist.
Bob was also an accomplished host of events large and small, and built up a great working relationship with Wolves’ commercial department.
He would head up sporting dinners, Former Players Association dinners and many other events, and hosted the hugely popular Hall of Fame nights to honour club legends.
Interviewing the great and the good of Wolves was right up Bob’s street and made him a perfect compère for those evenings, taking the audience - and Hall of Fame inductees - through the club’s illustrious history with his usual sense of reverence and aplomb.
He was close to many of the historic Wolves names, building up working relationships which would turn into friendships with the likes of Billy Wright, Sir Jack Hayward, John Richards, Rachael Heyhoe-Flint and Steve Bull.
He had worked with Billy at Central and, only a couple of years ago, opened a special event at Molineux organised by Billy’s daughter Vicky in tribute to her Dad’s life. He was also called upon to deliver a eulogy at the funeral of another Wolves legend Bert Williams, back in 2014.
The level of mutual respect within those relationships was immeasurable, and Bob would always make it as easy and comfortable for his guests as the unassuming air he exuded with his presenting.
He didn’t shy away from the big stories either, delivering the famous ‘Golden Tit’ interview with Sir Jack after the play-off near-miss in 1997, later spending two weeks with him on the Bahamas working on a documentary.
“Bob was a true gent, brilliant at his job too,” Bully said on hearing the sad news.
“I am proud to have worked with him so many times.”
“I have known Bob since the early 1970’s,” added Richards.
“He was a great professional and very knowledgeable about all sports, but football in particular.
“We became good friends when he married Ann and lived in Tettenhall, and he was a lovely bloke who arranged for our eldest daughter Kim to do some work experience at Central.
“I was very sad to hear about his passing.”
The word ‘gentleman’ is one which comes up so many times amongst those who knew and worked with Bob.
And that work wasn’t just confined to the Midlands region.
He was a respected broadcaster on a national scale both within television and event hosting, working with, amongst others, big names such as Sir Alex Ferguson, Jack Charlton, Nobby Stiles, Norman Hunter, and so many more.
He managed to secure a video message from Sir Alex talking about Wolves’ history for the very first Hall of Fame dinner staged at Molineux. Bob’s contacts book was packed with some of the very best from the world of sport.
In more recent years he had worked as a columnist on the Express & Star newspaper, and was still covering matches for Sky’s Soccer Saturday programme as well as continuing to host events.
He was also always happy to pass on sage advice and guidance to potential journalists of tomorrow via his work as a college lecturer, and was always willing to back local media enterprises, such as supporting Radio Wolves in its early days, contributing to Black Country Radio and becoming the first Head of News & Sport for digital channel Big Centre TV.
Bob’s influence spread far and wide. One excitable Wolves employee who had met him in the press box at Molineux was both surprised and delighted to see his photograph on show at a hotel in Saunton in Devon as one of the celebrities who had visited. That was always Bob. He made an impression.
Above all else he made that impression not just with the incredibly slick delivery of his work but the fun and joie de vivre he provided when away from the camera and microphone.
Bob was a great storyteller, of people he had met, football matches he had covered, personalities he had interviewed, events he had delivered. Always such excellent and enlightening company. And kind and generous with his time.
He will be so sadly missed, but his legacy will not be forgotten.
All at Wolves send their sincere condolences on Bob’s passing to his family, friends and colleagues.
By Paul Berry
