Football world pays tribute to commentary legend John Motson, who has died aged 77 | indy100

Legendary football commentator John Motson dies aged 77

content.jwplatform.com

The legendary BBC football commentator John Motson has died aged 77. The sad news of his passing has been greeted with an outpouring of tributes from the football world.

Motson, born in Salford, Lancashire, enjoyed a distinguished career with the BBC, covering 29 FA Cup finals and 10 World Cups. The broadcaster was known for his unique and gleeful delivery and of course, his famous sheepskin coat.

Motson’s commentary on Ronnie Radford’s famous long-range strike which helped non-league Hereford knock top-flight Newcastle out of the FA Cup in 1972 saw him take top billing on Match of the Day – pushing him into the spotlight and the affections of the sporting public.

His long career also took in two Olympic Games and Wimbledon’s memorable 1988 FA Cup final triumph against Liverpool at Wembley as the Crazy Gang beat the Culture Club.

Sign up to our new free Indy100 weekly newsletter

Awarded the OBE in 2001 for services to broadcasting, Motson hung up his microphone for the BBC at the end of the 2017-18 Premier League season.

In tribute, ITV commentator Clive Tyldesley said: “As a teenager I just wanted to be John Motson. Nobody else. Terribly sad.”

Gary Lineker, who worked with Motson for years on the BBC wrote: "Deeply saddened to hear that John Motson has died. A quite brilliant commentator and the voice of football in this country for generations. He’ll be very much missed. RIP Motty."

Former Liverpool defender, Jamie Carragher who now works as a pundit on Sky Sports said: "An absolute Legend of the game. So many of us grew up listening to this man describe the action & goals on MOTD & cup finals. Sad loss."

Here's how the rest of the football landscape paid tribute to Motson.

\u201cA true master of his craft. \ud83c\udf99\n\nRest in peace, John Motson. \ud83d\udc99\ud83e\udd0d\u201d
— West Bromwich Albion (@West Bromwich Albion) 1677146460

\u201cRest in peace, John Motson. \ud83d\udc99\u201d
— Coventry City (@Coventry City) 1677146653

\u201cRIP John Motson \u2764\ufe0f\u201d
— Gary Neville (@Gary Neville) 1677147286

\u201cJohn Motson. Oy. Feels impossible: a voice that, at one time, *was* football. RIP.\u201d
— David Baddiel (@David Baddiel) 1677145385

\u201cThis clip of John Motson talking to @jackkenmare_ about the importance of football in society sums him up. \n\nA man who truly lived and breathed the game. He\u2019ll be hugely missed. \ud83d\ude14\u2764\ufe0f\n\n\u201d
— HLTCO (@HLTCO) 1677147742

\u201c\u201cHere\u2019s Gascoigne, oh brilliant, oh yes! Oh yes!\u201d\n\nWe each have our own Motty moment. For me, it\u2019ll forever be Euro 96 and Gazza\u2019s genius.\n\nRIP John Motson.\u201d
— Sanny Rudravajhala (@Sanny Rudravajhala) 1677146960

\u201c\ud83e\udd0d A broadcasting legend, everyone at #LUFC is deeply saddened by the passing of John Motson. Our thoughts are with John\u2019s family and friends at this time. RIP\u201d
— Leeds United (@Leeds United) 1677147897

\u201cWe join the football family mourning the sad loss of legendary commentator John Motson.\n\n\u2018Motty\u2019 cut his teeth in the beautiful game at the Sheffield Morning Telegraph in 1967.\n\nHe went on to cover 29 FA Cup finals and 10 World Cups \u2013 his like will never be seen again.\n\nRIP \ud83c\udf99\ufe0f\u201d
— Sheffield Wednesday (@Sheffield Wednesday) 1677147995

Additional reporting by PA.

Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.