John Motson, a soccer pundit for the BBC who was for 50 years one of the most recognizable names in British sports, has passed away. He was 77.
Motson’s passing was reported by the BBC on Thursday without any other information.
From 1968 through 2018, Motson, affectionately known as “Motty,” provided game commentary for Britain’s national broadcaster, calling 10 World Cups, 10 European Championships, and 29 FA Cup finals.
Before retiring at the conclusion of the 2017–18 Premier League, the BBC reported that he has called nearly 2,500 broadcast games.
Motson was renowned for his love of the game, his expertise, and for appearing in the commentary box while donning a sheepskin coat.
Gary Lineker, a former England captain who now presents the BBC’s premier soccer program, Match of the Day, called him “a pretty wonderful commentator” and the voice of football in this nation for many years.
He will be sorely missed. Motty, RIP.
Motson was hailed as a “famous figure in British sports broadcasting, revered by those in the game, loved by fans and an inspiration to those who followed him in the commentary box,” according to Tim Davie, director-general of the BBC.
Like all the greats behind the mic, John had the appropriate words to say at the appropriate timing for all the significant events, according to Davie.
Before beginning his career as a radio sports announcer for the BBC in 1968, Motson worked as a newspaper reporter.
His big break came in 1972 when he was hired to call an FA Cup game between Hereford, an English non-league team, and first-division Newcastle while still on trial as a commentator.
Hereford prevailed in extra time on a muddy ground at Edgar Street, defeating Newcastle, which was the overwhelming favorite, in a match that was meant to be a formality. Ronnie Radford’s long-range strike for Hereford’s equalizer, which has gone down as one of the most memorable goals in English soccer, and Motson’s analysis of it have both become legendary.
Motson pondered on his career before retiring and remarked, “If Ronnie hadn’t scored that goal and Hereford hadn’t defeated Newcastle, I don’t think I would be here talking to you right now.
“I was on trial at the BBC that year; I didn’t yet have a contract, so it changed my life. I used to work in radio, and they sort of “borrowed” me for a year to see how I fared.
His comment at fulltime of Wimbledon’s shocking 1-0 win over Liverpool in the FA Cup final in 1988 is among his most well-known one-liners on commentary.
The culture club has lost to the insane gang, according to Motson.
In 1989, a crush at Hillsborough during the FA Cup semifinal between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest resulted in the deaths of 97 Liverpool supporters. Motson was the broadcaster for that match. Motson continued to provide testimony at the inquest.
Motson was awarded an OBE (Order of the British Empire) in 2001 for his contributions to sports broadcasting.
