John Motson was an English football commentator, born on July 10, 1945, in Salford, Greater Manchester, England, who sadly died 23rd February 2023 at the age of 77. He was best known for his distinctive voice and his encyclopedic knowledge of football. Motson began his broadcasting career with BBC Radio in 1968 and made his debut on Match of the Day, the BBC’s flagship football program, in 1971.
Motson commentated on many high-profile football matches and events over his career, including the 1979 FA Cup Final, the 1990 World Cup, and the 2002 Champions League Final. He is particularly well-known for his coverage of the FA Cup, which he covered for over 40 years, and for his use of statistics and trivia during his commentary.
Motson’s distinctive style and voice, characterized by his high-pitched, excitable commentary and colorful, often humorous, observations, made him a beloved figure in the world of football commentary. He was also known for his signature sheepskin coat, which he wore during his broadcasts for many years.
Motson retired from full-time broadcasting in 2018, but continued to make occasional appearances and is regarded as one of the greatest football commentators of all time. He was awarded an OBE for services to sports broadcasting in 2001, and inducted into the National Football Museum Hall of Fame in 2019.
John Motson commentated on many famous football matches over his long and distinguished career. Here are some of his most famous and memorable matches:
1979 FA Cup Final:
Motson commentated on the FA Cup Final between Arsenal and Manchester United, which ended in a dramatic 3-2 victory for Arsenal. It was Motson’s first time commentating on the final, and he became known for his passionate description of Alan Sunderland’s winning goal.
1981 European Cup Final:
Motson commentated on the final between Liverpool and Real Madrid, which Liverpool won 1-0 thanks to a goal from Alan Kennedy. Motson’s commentary of the final, which included his now-famous phrase “Kennedy, the scorer”, is considered one of the most iconic in football history.
1986 World Cup Quarter-Final:
Motson commentated on the quarter-final match between England and Argentina at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico. The match is perhaps best remembered for Diego Maradona’s infamous “Hand of God” goal, which Motson famously described as “a little bit of cheating”.
1990 World Cup Semi-Final:
Motson commentated on England’s famous World Cup semi-final against West Germany in 1990. The match ended in a dramatic penalty shootout, which Germany won 4-3. Motson’s commentary of the shootout, which included his memorable description of Stuart Pearce’s missed penalty as “the ultimate agony”, is considered one of his best.
Here are some quotes about John Motson by others prior to his passing:
“John Motson is a living legend. He’s one of the greats of football broadcasting, and his knowledge and passion for the game is unmatched.” – Gary Lineker, former England international and Match of the Day presenter.
“John Motson is a national treasure. His voice is synonymous with football, and he’s provided some of the most memorable moments in the history of the game.” – Alan Shearer, former England international and Match of the Day pundit.
“John Motson is one of the most iconic and respected voices in football broadcasting. He’s been at the heart of the game for over 50 years, and his passion and enthusiasm is infectious.” – Dan Walker, BBC sports presenter.
“John Motson is a true professional and a true gentleman. He’s been a pleasure to work with over the years, and his knowledge and insight into the game is second to none.” – Mark Lawrenson, former Liverpool and Republic of Ireland international and BBC pundit.
“John Motson is a true legend of the game. His voice is instantly recognizable, and he’s played a huge role in making football the global phenomenon that it is today.” – David Beckham, former England international and global football icon.