John Motson dies aged 77
Legendary football commentator John Motson has died aged 77 as the sport mourns the sheepskin icon who has voiced 2,000 games including 29 FA Cup finals and 10 World Cups
By Luke Augustus for MailOnline
09:49 February 23, 2023, updated 10:03 February 23, 2023
- John Motson has passed away at the age of 77, it was announced on Thursday
- Motson was married to wife Anne and they had a son together named Fred
Legendary commentator John Motson – who has made wearing a sheepskin coat his trademark – has died aged 77, it has been announced.
Motson was synonymous with the BBC – where he commentated on over 2,000 matches on TV and radio.
His impressive work has spanned 29 FA Cup finals, 10 World Cups and 10 European Championships.
Motson was married to wife Anne – the couple had tied the knot in 1977. They have a son together named Fred who was born in 1986.
Motson, the Salford-born son of a Methodist minister, began his career as a reporter at Barnet Press and the Sheffield Morning Telegraph.
‘Motty’, as he was affectionately known, joined the BBC in 1968 as a full-time sports presenter on Radio 2 – having previously been on BBC Radio Sheffield.
In 1971 he joined Match of the Day and became a regular commentator throughout the 1971/72 season – with his first game being a 0-0 draw between Liverpool and Chelsea.
An iconic moment in his career came this season when he covered the memorable FA Cup replay between Hereford United and Newcastle United.
Non-league Hereford won 2–1 with Ronnie Radford scoring a winner that remains in folklore.
“Oh, what a goal!” Motson excited.
‘Radford, the goalscorer. Ronny Radford! And the crowd is in the square. What a great shot from Ronnie Radford.’
That game and that moment brought him into the limelight and affection of the sports public.
His long career also included two Olympic Games and Wimbledon’s memorable triumph in the 1988 FA Cup final against Liverpool at Wembley, when the Crazy Gang defeated Culture Club.
Motson was awarded an OBE for services to broadcasting in 2001 and gave up his microphone for the BBC at the end of the 2017/18 Premier League season.