Some voices become part of a football club.
Originally released in July 2022, this conversation with SUFC TV commentator Sohail Sahi goes behind the microphone to explore the person many Sutton supporters have listened to over the past few seasons.
Most fans know Sohail for his commentary.
What many won’t know is the journey that brought him to Sutton United.
Long before becoming the voice of SUFC TV, Sohail had already built a career in broadcasting, working across BBC local radio, Radio 5 Live and later Match of the Day. Yet despite commentating from some of the country’s biggest stadiums, there’s a genuine affection for Sutton United that shines through this conversation.
We look back at how he first discovered Gander Green Lane, why one away trip to Southport convinced him he was no longer just covering the club but supporting it, and how his broadcasting career developed alongside Sutton’s remarkable rise.
It’s also a fascinating insight into football commentary itself.
Sohail explains the differences between radio and television, why radio commentators have to paint pictures for listeners while television commentators know when silence can say more than words. He shares how he critiques his own performances after matches, constantly looking for ways to improve, and why helping younger commentators develop has become one of the most rewarding parts of his work.
One of my favourite moments is hearing him talk about the little habits every commentator develops. In Sohail’s case, it’s the occasional “Oh I say!” after a spectacular goal, a phrase that even BBC editors began using as captions when clipping his commentary.
It’s a small detail, but one that has become part of his style.
Naturally, we spend plenty of time talking about Sutton United.
We revisit unforgettable moments including the FA Cup victory at AFC Wimbledon, Wembley, the National League promotion season and the incredible feeling of following a club that seemed to keep making history.
Sohail also explains how difficult it can be balancing professionalism with genuine emotion. As someone who works in national broadcasting, impartiality has always been a core principle. Yet like every Sutton supporter, there are moments when the fan inside threatens to take over.
Fortunately, experience usually wins.
Away from Sutton, we also discuss some of the biggest stadiums in the country, his experiences working across the BBC and why radio commentary remains his first love despite opportunities on television.
Listening back now, some of the football discussion belongs to the summer of 2022. Sutton were preparing for another League Two campaign, new signings were arriving and there was genuine excitement about what might come next.
But this episode isn’t really about a particular season.
It’s about the people who help tell Sutton United’s story.
Commentators are often at their best when you hardly notice them. They become the soundtrack to memorable afternoons, cup runs and promotions without ever trying to make themselves the centre of attention.
Sohail has done exactly that for Sutton supporters over the years.
Whether you’ve heard his voice hundreds of times or are listening to this episode for the first time, it’s a fascinating look behind the scenes at the person behind the microphone, and one of the most enjoyable conversations in the Sutton Podcast archive.
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