Sam Leitch

Samuel James Leitch (1927–1980) was a British journalist and television sports presenter. He came from a Scottish family but was actually born in Yarmouth in Norfolk, England.

He was Editor of Match of the Day^[1] at the British Broadcasting Corporation for some years. For several years up to 1974 he presented the "Football Preview" slot on Grandstand on a Saturday, previewing the day's matches. This was later to evolve into Football Focus.

Although attributed to commentators David Coleman or Frank Bough it was Leitch who, when the Scottish football team Raith Rovers won a match by a large margin, made the legendary comment "They'll be dancing in the streets of Raith tonight". This was seen as a display of ignorance since Raith Rovers play in the town of Kirkcaldy. There is however a Raith district of Kirkcaldy but this dates from long after the foundation of the team.

Leitch died suddenly from a heart attack in London in 1980 at the age of 53.

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