When David Croft wasn’t wandering around his backyard with his radio set, pretending to be Barry Davies or Sid Waddell, he was recreating Formula One scenes on his bike, mimicking the famously loud, excitable and high-energy tones of the late, great Murray Walker - at least, until neighbours urged him to pipe down.
The dream became a reality on the front porch of his family home in Stevenage, Hertfordshire, which is also the hometown of seven-time F1 champion Lewis Hamilton.
Fans of Formula One will be familiar with the jovial voice of 'Crofty', as he's known to friends and fans alike, as he excitedly commentates over a race weekend, but his rise to stardom is a story like no other, and the journey did not come without its obstacles.
For the last 12 years, after moving to Sky Sports in 2012 to work alongside the likes of Martin Brundle, the 54-year-old has seen the world from lofty perches in commentary boxes across the planet, commentating on some of the sport's iconic moments.
If you believe in destiny, then the story of Crofty is on your track. He has now covered more than 350 races and has no plans to put his mic down anytime soon…
Crofty, where did it all begin for you as a commentator, then?
“It's been a long build-up to get to the most privileged position that I could ever have dreamt of. I think it started probably in my backyard at my house in Stevenage growing up, when I'd be kicking a football around, or I'd go out on my bike pretending to be Barry Davies or Murray Walker and throwing darts and trying to be Sid Waddell because it's all I ever wanted to do as a kid, I wanted to be a sports commentator. It was my dream, and it was my passion.”
So, your voice is synonymous with F1. How did you get your foot in the door?
“The opportunity came about to audition to be an F1 commentator after I had a conversation with the producer of F1 for the BBC in a bar in Las Vegas. So, I auditioned and passed the audition after making up a lap of a race at Monza. My first season in F1 was 2006, which makes this upcoming season my 20th season.”
Your first race was the Bahrain Grand Prix in 2006. What do you remember of that day?
“I remember being on my knees after about ten laps thinking ‘I can't cope with this as there's so much information coming at me!’.
“I went into the race thinking that I'd done all my preparation and I knew what I was talking about, and after about half-an-hour I realised there's a lot more I need to understand about this sport.
“But I remember leaving with a big smile on my face thinking 'this is what I’ve always dreamed of'.”
Is there a particular race that stands out from the 350-plus races you’ve worked in F1?
“It’s been a privilege travelling the world for F1, and it’s been incredible to be front and centre for some of the most dramatic moments the sport has ever seen.
“There are a few that stand out. Firstly, when Lewis Hamilton won his first world title and also the British Grand Prix at Silverstone in 2008. The 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix also stands out as another one that I'll never forget, as it was a battle for the ages. Max Verstappen won his maiden title, overtaking Hamilton on the last lap of the last race of the season to win his World Drivers' Championship, which we won a BAFTA (British Academy of Film and Television Arts) award for.”
For a new generation of Formula One fans, the only voice in town is that of yours. That must make you incredibly proud, especially when people compare you to the late, great Murray Walker?
“Of course, it does. They do [draw comparisons], and they shouldn't because Murray Walker is still the legend. He's still the voice of F1 and always will be. However, there are people who didn't get the chance to hear Murray as a commentator, and I am their voice. It's humbling, and it's really lovely that people hear me as their voice at F1.”
And, you regularly mention West Ham in your commentary. How do you watch West Ham United games while working with F1 on the other side of the world?
“I can't help myself. I really can't, because at the end of the day, you know when it comes to football, I'm a proper fan and have all the logic of a proper fan as well. There are bits people don't see - when West Ham score and I’m in the middle of a commentary, I’m giving it the full celebrations!
“Sometimes it’s easy to watch, sometimes it’s not, but I do my best. I’ve been up at 5am in Australia to watch a midweek [UEFA] Europa League match and have also been up at 3.30am in my hotel room to watch us lose 1-0 to Stoke City!”
Tell us about your West Ham allegiance, then?
“I have no idea how I became a Hammer! There was just something about West Ham that made me decide to support them. We got to the FA Cup final in 1980, and I was like, ‘this is the team'.
“Maybe it was something about Billy Bonds that I loved, or maybe John Lyall struck me as being a great manager. I chose West Ham, and there's no rhyme or reason to it whatsoever, but I've stuck with it.”
Sky Sports is the only place you can watch every Formula One practice, qualifying session and race exclusively live.
