John Motson, one of the most iconic and influential commentators of the 20th century, has passed away at the age of 77.
The broadcaster, who was the voice of more than 2,000 games during his career, died in the early hours of Thursday, February 23.
One of his most notable reports was in 1990 at Adams Park, the home of Wycombe Wanderers.
Dressed in his famous sheepskin coat, Motson spoke at the Hillbottom Road venue in the middle of a snowstorm.
Rest in peace, John Motson. pic.twitter.com/mWew15wzoo
— Wycombe Wanderers (@wwfcofficial) February 23, 2023
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The Chairboys were due to take on Peterborough United in a FA Cup tie, but the game was postponed after gale force winds and heavy snow, forced the match to be postponed.
Standing in the centre of Adams Park, battling the cold conditions, Motson said in his report: “I’m afraid to say that Mark West and Martin O’Neill will have to wait a few days longer if they are going to add another chapter to Wycombe’s famous cup history.
John Motson: Football commentator supremeWhen Motty almost froze ☃️ The former Suffolk schoolboy, who lives in Hertfordshire, has announced he is due to retire at the end of this season.
Posted by BBC News: East of England on Wednesday, 6 September 2017
“As you can see, this part of Buckinghamshire is snowbound and there’s a bit of gale blowing as well.”
Motson, popularly known as ‘Motty’ by a generation of football fans, enjoyed a 50-year career with the BBC during which he covered 10 World Cups, 10 European Championships, and 29 FA Cup Finals.
The man who inspired me to get into the media.
— James Richings (@James_BFP) February 23, 2023
When I was a kid, I would mute the volume when playing FIFA on my PS1/PS2 and commentate over the gameplay, trying to emulate John Motson.
One of the most iconic voices in British football.
RIP 🕊️🎙️ https://t.co/YArwP4DnRi
After starting as a newspaper reporter in Barnet and at the Sheffield Morning Telegraph, Motson joined the BBC in 1968 as a sports presenter on Radio 2.
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.
RIP John Motson 💔
— Jamie Carragher (@Carra23) February 23, 2023
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.
🎙️ ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/R9nWShRTzD
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In 2001, Motson received an OBE for services to sports broadcasting.
Over the course of his career, he commentated on almost 2,500 games for BBC television, working on Match of the Day from 1971 until he retired in 2018.
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