John Motson: Legendary football commentator dies aged 77

Iconic football commentator John Motson has died at the age of 77.

Motson’s legendary career spanned seven decades, starting as a sports presenter in 1968 on BBC Radio 2.

Motson, affectionately known as Motty, was born in Salford, Lancashire, and enjoyed a distinguished career.

Simon Galloway

His voice has been synonymous with football, having covered 29 FA Cup finals and 10 World Cups.

He also voiced two Olympic Games.

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.

In 2008, Motson retired from live television commentary, but continued to voice highlights on Match of the Day.

In 2001 he was awarded the OBE in 2001 for services to broadcasting.

He hung up his headphones at the BBC at the end of the 2017-18 Premier League season, but returned to the microphone later that year, commentating for Talk Sport.

Tributes have already began to pour in, with fellow football commentator Clive Tyldesley tweeting: "As a teenager I just wanted to be John Motson. Nobody else. Terribly sad."