Tributes flow after death of commentary icon

2 years ago 104

John Motson, the BBC shot commentator who was 1 of the astir well-known voices successful British athletics for 50 years, has died. He was 77.

The BBC announced the decease of Motson connected Thursday, without giving immoderate details.

Fondly referred to arsenic "Motty", Motson called games for Britain's nationalist broadcaster from 1968-2018, covering 10 World Cups, 10 European Championships and 29 FA Cup finals.

He commentated connected astir 2500 televised games, the BBC said, earlier retiring astatine the extremity of the 2017-18 Premier League.

Motson was known for his passionateness and cognition of football, and was synonymous with wearing a sheepskin overgarment successful the commentary box.

“A rather superb commentator,” said Gary Lineker, the erstwhile England skipper who works for the BBC arsenic the presenter of its flagship shot show, Match of the Day, "and the dependable of shot successful this state for generations."

Lineker added that Motson would "be precise overmuch missed".

Tim Davie, the BBC director-general, described Motson arsenic a "legendary fig successful British sports broadcasting, respected by those successful the game, loved by fans and an inspiration to those who followed him successful the commentary box".

“Like each the greats down the mic," Davie said, “John had the close words, astatine the close time, for each the large moments.”

Motson started arsenic a paper newsman earlier joining the BBC successful 1968 arsenic a vigor sports presenter.

His large interruption came successful 1972 when, connected proceedings arsenic a fledgling commentator, helium was asked to telephone an FA Cup lucifer betwixt Hereford, which played successful England's non-leagues, and first-division Newcastle.

It was expected to beryllium a formality — Newcastle was the dense favourite — but Hereford won aft other clip connected a muddy tract astatine Edgar Street. Hereford's equaliser, a long-range changeable by Ronnie Radford, has gone down arsenic 1 of the astir celebrated goals successful English football, and Motson's commentary connected it became iconic.

“If Ronnie hadn’t scored that extremity and Hereford had not beaten Newcastle, I don’t deliberation I would beryllium present talking to you now,” Motson said arsenic helium reflected connected his vocation earlier retirement.

“It changed my life, successful the consciousness I was connected proceedings that twelvemonth astatine the BBC, I hadn’t got a declaration astatine that stage. I had been successful radio, and they benignant of borrowed maine for a twelvemonth if you similar to spot if I made out."

Among his astir celebrated one-liners connected commentary was his remark astatine full-time of Wimbledon's daze 1-0 triumph implicit Liverpool successful the FA Cup last successful 1988.

“The brainsick pack person beaten the civilization club,” Motson said.

Motson was the commentator connected the FA Cup semi-final betwixt Liverpool and Nottingham Forest astatine Hillsborough successful 1989, during which determination was a crush that led to the decease of 97 Liverpool fans. Motson went connected to springiness grounds astatine the inquest.

In 2001, Motson received an OBE (Order of the British Empire) for services to sports broadcasting.

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