# Simon Hill > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Simon_Hill > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Simon_Hill.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simon_Hill > Source revision: 1353907740 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{Short description|Australian television presenter}} {{About|the Australian sports commentator}} {{Use Australian English|date=September 2014}} {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2021}} {{Infobox person | image = Simonhill2007.jpg | caption = Hill in 2007 | image_size = | name = Simon Hill | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1967|11|1}} | birth_place = [Manchester](/source/Manchester), [England](/source/England), [United Kingdom](/source/United_Kingdom) | nationality = | occupation = Football broadcaster | networth = | children = | website = | footnotes = }} '''Simon Hill''' (born 1 November 1967) is an English football commentator. He is also a musician and vocalist, specialising on the drums. He plays in several bands.{{Cite web |last=Adams |first=Scott |date=2020-05-17 |title=My Life With Heavy Metal: Simon Hill |url=https://sentineldaily.com.au/my-life-with-heavy-metal-simon-hill/ |access-date=2024-10-06 |website=Sentinel Daily |language=en-GB}} Hill studied journalism at the University of Portsmouth, graduating in 1990. His first job was at [Red Dragon FM](/source/Red_Dragon_FM), a [radio station](/source/radio_station) in [Cardiff](/source/Cardiff), [Wales](/source/Wales).{{Cite web |title=Lucy Zelic - 'In conversation with': Simon Hill |url=https://www.sbs.com.au/sport/article/lucy-zelic-in-conversation-with-simon-hill/cb4djgi8h |access-date=2024-10-06 |website=SBS Sport |language=en}} Hill later worked for [BBC World Service](/source/BBC_World_Service) and [BBC Radio 5 Live](/source/BBC_Radio_5_Live) before becoming a football correspondent for [ITV Sport](/source/ITV_Sport_Channel). Having spent most of his career in Australia, he has been dubbed "the voice of Australian Football" due to his contributions to the game in the country.{{Cite web |last=Avil |first=Lachlan |date=2025-05-30 |title=As Australia farewells Simon Hill, a next gen commentator looks to make his mark |url=https://roundballaustralia.com.au/as-australia-farewells-simon-hill-a-next-gen-commentator-looks-to-make-his-mark/ |access-date=2026-05-13 |website=Round Ball Australia |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Pobjie |first=Ben |date=2021-11-09 |title=A-League returns with a new home on TV and many familiar voices |url=https://www.smh.com.au/culture/tv-and-radio/a-league-returns-with-a-new-home-on-tv-and-many-familiar-voices-20211109-p597c0.html |access-date=2026-05-13 |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |language=en}} ==Career== === BBC World Service (1995–2002) === Hill worked as a commentator and reporter for the BBC World Service, covering the [1995 Intercontinental Cup](/source/1995_Intercontinental_Cup) in Japan in addition to major international tournaments such as [UEFA Euro 1996](/source/UEFA_Euro_1996), the [1998 African Cup of Nations](/source/1998_African_Cup_of_Nations) and the [1998 FIFA World Cup](/source/1998_FIFA_World_Cup).{{Cite web |date=2006-12-10 |title=Radio Coverage of Past World Cups/European Championships |url=https://forums.digitalspy.com/discussion/497506/radio-coverage-of-past-world-cups-european-championships |access-date=2024-12-05 |website=Digital Spy |language=en-GB}} === ITV Sport Channel (2002) === Hill briefly worked for ITV Studios as a reporter for the [First Division](/source/Football_League_First_Division), now known as the [EFL Championship](/source/EFL_Championship), along with the [UEFA Champions League](/source/UEFA_Champions_League). === SBS Television Australia (2003–2006) === Hill joined [SBS Sport](/source/SBS_Sport) in [Australia](/source/Australia) following a decade working in radio and television in the [United Kingdom](/source/United_Kingdom). He was a reporter at the [2004 Summer Olympics](/source/2004_Summer_Olympics),{{Cite web |title=Simon Hill - Authors |url=https://au.newhollandpublishers.com/authors/simon-hill.html |access-date=2024-12-05 |website=au.newhollandpublishers.com}} and also hosted SBS' [Ashes Cricket](/source/The_Ashes) coverage in 2005, when Australia toured England.{{Cite web |date=2005-05-29 |title=Englishman to anchor SBS Ashes call |url=https://www.theage.com.au/sport/cricket/englishman-to-anchor-sbs-ashes-call-20050529-ge094k.html |access-date=2024-10-06 |website=The Age |language=en}} Hill commentated select [National Soccer League](/source/National_Soccer_League) matches, including the [last NSL Grand Final](/source/2004_National_Soccer_League_Grand_Final). Hill commentated Australia's [2006 FIFA World Cup qualification](/source/2006_FIFA_World_Cup_qualification_(OFC)) matches, including the [two-legged play-off against Uruguay](/source/2006_FIFA_World_Cup_qualification_(CONMEBOL%E2%80%93OFC_play-off)).{{Cite web |date=2020-11-16 |title=15 years later: Hill and Foster recount famous Socceroos v Uruguay commentary {{!}} Socceroos |url=https://www.socceroos.com.au/news/hill-and-foster-reunite-reflect-15-years-call-socceroos-v-uruguay |access-date=2024-10-10 |website=www.socceroos.com.au |language=en}} He also commentated Australia's matches at the [2006 FIFA World Cup](/source/2006_FIFA_World_Cup), and regularly featured as a panellist on [Toyota World Sport](/source/Toyota_World_Sport) and [The World Game](/source/The_World_Game).{{Cite web |title=Reflecting on decades of SBS' coverage of the FIFA World Cupᵀᴹ |url=https://www.sbs.com.au/sport/fifa-world-cup-2022/article/reflecting-on-decades-of-sbs-coverage-of-the-fifa-world-cup/mxggplqjx |access-date=2024-10-06 |website=SBS Sport |language=en}} Hill has not since commentated at a [FIFA World Cup](/source/FIFA_World_Cup) due to contractual obligations with [Fox Sports Australia](/source/Fox_Sports_(Australia)) and [Paramount Australia](/source/Paramount_Australia).{{Cite web |date=2010-04-30 |title=FIFA World Cup: Commentary team {{!}} TV Tonight |url=https://tvtonight.com.au/2010/04/fifa-world-cup-commentary-team.html |access-date=2024-10-06 |website=tvtonight.com.au |language=en-AU}}{{Cite web |title=SBS launches World Cup programming schedule |url=https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/sbs-launches-world-cup-programming-schedule/7qjomw58l |access-date=2024-10-06 |website=SBS News |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=SBS name 2018 FIFA World Cup on-air team |url=https://www.sbs.com.au/sport/article/sbs-name-2018-fifa-world-cup-on-air-team/47h2t6ukh |access-date=2024-10-06 |website=SBS Sport |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=4 May 2018 |title=Introducing Optus Sport's 2018 FIFA World Cup On-Air Hosting Team |url=https://www.optus.com.au/about/media-centre/media-releases/2018/05/introducing-optus-sports-2018-fifa-world-cup-on-air-hosting-team |website=Optus}}{{Cite web |title=All-star team announced for SBS broadcast of FIFA World Cup 2022 |url=https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/all-star-team-announced-for-sbs-broadcast-of-fifa-world-cup-2022/5j841mlyz |access-date=2024-10-06 |website=SBS News |language=en}} === Fox Sports Australia (2006–2020) === On 29 July 2006, Hill joined [Fox Sports Australia](/source/Fox_Sports_(Australia)) on a three-year deal as its main commentator for the network's [A-League](/source/A-League) and [Socceroos](/source/Australia_men's_national_soccer_team) matches. Hill would also appear on [Total Football](/source/Total_Football_(television_program)), Fox Sports' weekly football show. Upon joining the network, Hill said that "For any true follower of football, Fox Sports is an absolute must, and for me it's a great fit."{{cite web |title=FootballNews • Login |url=http://www.footballnews.com.au/forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=3407&sid=93f755745ed9c033ca305b9a9f550a6a }}{{dead link|date=May 2024}} Hill would serve as the network's lead commentator for Australia's [2010](/source/2010_FIFA_World_Cup_qualification_(AFC)), [2014](/source/2014_FIFA_World_Cup_qualification_(AFC)) and [2018](/source/2018_FIFA_World_Cup_qualification_(AFC)) [FIFA World Cup qualifying](/source/FIFA_World_Cup_qualification) campaigns, along with the [2007](/source/2007_AFC_Asian_Cup), [2011](/source/2011_AFC_Asian_Cup), [2015](/source/2015_AFC_Asian_Cup) and [2019](/source/2019_AFC_Asian_Cup) [Asian Cups](/source/AFC_Asian_Cup). Hill was also a monthly contributor to Australian football magazine [FourFourTwo](/source/FourFourTwo_(Australia)).{{Citation needed|date=October 2024}} Hill commentated Fox Sports' feed of the [A-League Grand Final](/source/A-League_Grand_Final) from 2007 to 2019. Due to the [COVID-19 pandemic](/source/COVID-19_pandemic), Football Australia postponed the remainder of the [2019–20 A-League](/source/2019%E2%80%9320_A-League) season.{{Cite web |title=Remaining A-League matches postponed due to COVID-19 |url=https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/news/remaining_a-league_matches_postponed_due_to_covid-19.html |access-date=2024-10-06 |website=the-AFC |language=en}} After 14 years at Fox Sports, Hill was made redundant in July 2020, claiming he was "removed" from the network after a host of cost-cutting measures.{{cite web|url=https://www.sportingnews.com/au/football/news/i-was-removed-simon-hill-explains-dramatic-fox-sports-exit-as-he-slams-a-league-coverage/bgd9udxs5w721d3di6xzg69nt|title= 'I was removed' - Simon Hill explains dramatic Fox Sports exit as he slams A-League coverage|date= 15 August 2021|publisher= SPORTING NEWS}} During the pandemic, Hill struggled to find commentary work in Australia, going as far to admit that "part of the reason I’m still in Australia is because of the global pandemic [...] Had that not been the case, I might have been back in the UK."{{Cite web |date=2021-04-23 |title=Simon Hill considering leaving Australia if A-League commentary exile continues {{!}} Sporting News Australia |url=https://www.sportingnews.com/au/football/news/simon-hill-considering-leaving-australia-if-a-league-commentary-exile-continues/70r2sosl9ab91u65eagc2jbg8 |access-date=2024-10-06 |website=www.sportingnews.com |language=en-au}} Many Australian football fans and pundits expressed dismay at the state of Hill's employment.{{Cite web |last=Rugari |first=Vince |date=2020-06-27 |title=Australian football's voice weakened by Hill, Foster exits |url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/australian-football-s-voice-weakened-by-hill-foster-exits-20200627-p556se.html |access-date=2024-10-06 |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |language=en}} === Freelance work (since 2020) === In May 2020, Hill briefly worked as commentator for the [K League](/source/K_League) world feed. He described the arrangement as "a really positive experience all-round."{{Cite web |title=Live stream plus remote production a virtual victory for sports fans |url=https://www.ftbl.com.au/news/live-stream-plus-remote-production-a-virtual-victory-for-sports-fans-548147 |access-date=2024-10-06 |website=FTBL}} In his absence for the remainder of the postponed 2019–20 [A-League](/source/A-League) season, Hill was the [Newcastle Jets](/source/Newcastle_Jets_FC) home ground announcer. Hill would later state how "Newcastle Jets have been very good to me [...] I thank them for that. Other clubs like [Sydney FC](/source/Sydney_FC) have given me bits of work. I’ve had work from [Football Queensland](/source/Football_Queensland), [Football Australia](/source/Football_Australia). In August 2020, Hill announced a freelance affiliation with [Optus Sport](/source/Optus_Sport), joining the network as a commentator on their [UEFA Champions League](/source/UEFA_Champions_League) and [UEFA Europa League](/source/UEFA_Europa_League) broadcasts.{{cite web|url=https://www.optus.com.au/connected/entertainment/simon-hill-joins-optus-sport|title=Simon Hill joins Optus Sport|publisher= Singtel Optus Pty Ltd}} Over several months, he appeared in their match day podcasts and provided a weekly column on the website. Hill commentated the network's feed of the [2020 UEFA Champions League final](/source/2020_UEFA_Champions_League_final), before leaving shortly after.{{Cite news |date=3 August 2020 |title=Simon Hill to call UEFA Champions League on Optus Sport |url=https://www.optus.com.au/about/media-centre/media-releases/2020/08/Simon-Hill-to-call-UEFA-Champions-League-on-Optus-Sport |work=Optus}} Hill briefly hosted ''The Global Game'' with former Australian footballer [Alex Brosque](/source/Alex_Brosque) on the SEN Sydney 1170 radio network. After leaving Fox Sports, Hill provided an [A-League](/source/A-League) commentary feed for SEN for the remainder of the [2019–20 A-League](/source/2019%E2%80%9320_A-League) season.{{Cite web |title=Simon Hill returns to A-League on SEN 1170 |url=https://www.sen.com.au/news/2021/06/09/simon-hill-returns-to-a-league-on-sen-1170/ |access-date=2024-10-06 |website=www.sen.com.au |language=en}} Hill was a world feed commentator for the [2023 FIFA Women's World Cup](/source/2023_FIFA_Women's_World_Cup), covering matches in Melbourne, Auckland and Brisbane.{{Cite web |title=Optus Sport |url=https://sport.optus.com.au/news/womens-world-cup-2023/os59854/fifa-womens-world-cup-2023-commentators-who-will-be-calling-matches-australia-new-zealand |access-date=2024-12-05 |website=sport.optus.com.au}} Since leaving Australia in 2025, Hill continues to contribute to Australian football media, writing via Football360.com.au.{{Cite web |title=Simon Hill |url=https://football360.com.au/author/simon-hill/ |access-date=2026-05-13 |website=Football360 |language=en-AU}} In 2026, appeared as "Britsh Announcer" in the comedy film [Balls Up](/source/Balls_Up).{{Cite web |last=Hill |first=Simon |date=2026-04-23 |title=How Simon Hill ended up in new Hollywood movie alongside Mark Wahlberg & Sacha Baron Cohen |url=https://football360.com.au/balls-up-movie-mark-wahlberg-sacha-baron-cohen-commentator-simon-hill/ |access-date=2026-05-13 |website=Football360 |language=en-AU}}{{Cite web |title=Balls Up (2026) - Full cast & crew |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt26735622/fullcredits/ |access-date=2026-05-13 |website=[IMDb](/source/IMDb)}} === Paramount Australia (2021–2025) === In August 2021, Hill joined [Paramount Australia](/source/Paramount_Australia) to commentate on the [Socceroos](/source/Australia_men's_national_soccer_team), [Matildas](/source/Australia_women's_national_soccer_team), and [A-Leagues](/source/A-Leagues) competitions.{{Cite web |date=2021-08-27 |title=Simon Hill returns as Network 10 reveals commentary team for Socceroos coverage and Paramount Plus {{!}} Sporting News Australia |url=https://www.sportingnews.com/au/football/news/simon-hill-returns-as-network-ten-reveals-commentary-team-for-socceroos-coverage-and-paramount-plus/uq3pegthns4e1dv32szs33la4 |access-date=2024-10-06 |website=www.sportingnews.com |language=en-au}}{{Cite web |title=10 ViacomCBS Unveils Football Commentary Team. |url=https://www.paramountanz.com.au/news/10-viacomcbs-unveils-football-commentary-team/ |access-date=2024-10-06 |website=Paramount Australia & New Zealand {{!}} Corporate |language=en-AU}} He was the network's lead commentator for the 2022, 2023 and 2025 A-League Men Grand Finals, in addition to the Socceroos' [2022 FIFA World Cup](/source/2022_FIFA_World_Cup) intercontinental play-off qualification match against [Peru](/source/Peru_national_football_team). In May 2025, Hill announced his departure from Paramount Australia to return to the United Kingdom.{{Cite web |last=Comito |date=2025-05-30 |title=Simon Hill's touching farewell to Aus football after 22 'special' years: 'It's been everything' |url=https://aleagues.com.au/news/simon-hill-interview-aleague-commentary-return-uk-grand-final-2025-melbourne-derby/ |access-date=2025-07-01 |website=A-Leagues |language=en-AU|first=Matthew}} ==Personal life== Hill was born in [Manchester](/source/Manchester) to Audrey and George.{{citation needed|date=June 2023}} He is a [Manchester City F.C.](/source/Manchester_City_F.C.) supporter.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.facebook.com/legendswithbevo/videos/ep-128-simon-hill-a-very-happy-manchester-city-supporter/268353888075214/ |title=Ep #128 - Simon Hill - A very happy Manchester City supporter! {{!}} Whilst it's been a fascinating A-League season so far, not having former Fox Sports Australia legendary commentator Simon Hill behind the mic has been... {{!}} By Legends with Bevo {{!}} Facebook |language=en |access-date=2024-10-06 |via=www.facebook.com}} ==References== {{Reflist}} * [https://web.archive.org/web/20060909052050/http://www20.sbs.com.au/sport/index.php?pg=tm&id=2 SBS Profile of Simon Hill] * [http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,8659,19941200-23215,00.html Hill and Harper join FOX Sports team] {{Authority control}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Hill, Simon}} Category:Australian television presenters Category:English football commentators Category:English emigrants to Australia Category:Mass media people from Manchester Category:Alumni of the University of Portsmouth Category:Australian soccer commentators Category:1967 births Category:Living people Category:Australian sports journalists --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Simon Hill](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simon_Hill) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simon_Hill?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.