John Motson, a renowned football analyst, passed away at the age of 77.
Motson started his broadcasting career in 1971 at the BBC, where he was best known for his work. Before hanging up his microphone in March 2018, “Motty,” who was known as the voice of football, covered 10 World Cups and 10 European Championships for the major broadcasters.
After receiving an OBE in 2001 for his contributions to sports broadcasting, he went on to provide commentary for nearly 2,500 televised games. The famous commentator, who was known for wearing a sheepskin coat, had an illustrious 50-year career at the BBC and called 29 FA Cup finals.
Online memorials have proliferated since Motty’s passing. Jamie Carragher, a former Liverpool defender, tweeted, “RIP John Motson.” “An undisputed gaming legend. We all grew up watching this man describe the action and goals from MOTD and cup finals. tragic loss”
Former Arsenal forward Kevin Campbell wrote on social media, “Rest in Peace John “Motty” Motson, an absolute legend and gentleman. “Paul Motson Oy. A voice that, at one time, *was* football, feels impossible. RIP, “author of Three Lions David Baddiel.
‘Motty’ began his career at BBC Radio Sheffield and went on to work for the BBC full-time, first as a sports reporter on Radio 2. Then, during Hereford’s 2-1 victory over Newcastle United in the FA Cup Third Round replay at Edgar Street, he made his television debut on Match of the Day.
The game was originally only given a five-minute segment on the show, but as the drama played out with Motson in the commentary box, it was moved up to the main showing. After Crystal Palace’s 2-0 victory over West Brom on the final day of the 2017–18 season, he hung up the mic on MOTD. He later provided commentary for a record-breaking sixth World Cup final in 2006.
Three special programmes, Motty Mastermind, Motty – The Man Behind the Sheepskin, and Countdown to the Full Motty, which were all broadcast on BBC Two, were produced by the BBC to honour Motson’s career. Later, he exited retirement and began working for talkSPORT.
