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Football commentator nicknamed 'The voice of football' has died aged 77
Legendary BBC commentator John "Motty" Motson, who was dubbed "the voice of football, " has sadly passed away at the age of 77.
Motson passes on at 77
Motson was a commentator with the BBC for 50 years and presided over almost 2,500 matches, including 29 FA Cup finals, 10 European Championships, and 10 World Cup tournaments.
Motson's death was announced by his family in a short statement, which read, “It is with great sadness that we announce that John Motson OBE died peacefully in his sleep today.”
Motson joined the BBC officially in 1968, after a brief spell as a freelancer, and officially retired in 2018, leaving behind a trail of extraordinary moments of commentary and a teeming fan base that appropriately nicknamed him "the voice of football."
John Motson, the voice of football
Motson appeared on the BBC’s Match of the Day from 1971 until his retirement and was renowned for passing commentary on some of the most iconic moments in English football history, such as Hereford’s shock 1972 FA Cup win over Newcastle, as well as the ill-fated 1989 FA Cup final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest at Hillsborough, following which he testified at the inquisition into the tragedy.
Motson was known in football quarters as an incredibly knowledgeable commentator who could drop the most niche statistics on any football game at the drop of a hat.
Due to his famous sheepskin coat, he was unmistakable in the commentary box or standing pitchside, was the unmistakable voice of football in his prime, and helped usher in a new generation of football commentators.
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