Legendary commentator John Motson has sadly passed away aged 77.
Born in Salford, Lancashire, the popular broadcaster was a familiar voice over a 50-year career with the BBC after he was hired as a sports presenter for Radio 2 back in 1968. His work in the field eventually earned him an OBE in 2001 for services to sports broadcasting.
His family announced in a statement: "It is with great sadness we announce that John Motson OBE died peacefully in his sleep today (Thursday)."
A statement from the BBC confirming his death said: "Motson covered 10 World Cups, 10 European Championships and 29 FA Cup finals for BBC Sport before retiring from the organisation in 2018.
"Popularly known as 'Motty', he had worked on Match of the Day since 1971 and commentated on almost 2,500 televised games."
Renowned for his sheepskin coat, Motson started out as a newspaper reporter at the Barnet Press and at the Sheffield Morning Telegraph. It was whilst working in Sheffield that he got his first taste of work behind the microphone.
Motson recalled: “One night when I was sitting on the sports desk at the newspaper I saw a senior sub-editor screwing up his face as he read my copy.
“After some time, he said: ‘John, on the evidence of this copy, I really think you should try the world of the voice rather than the written world.'”
He moved to the BBC and his big breakthrough came in 1972 when Hereford United produced a miraculous FA Cup upset against Newcastle in a third round replay which was bumped up to the prime slot on Match of the Day - a game remembered for his iconic commentary on Ronnie Radford's goal.
“If Ronnie hadn’t scored that goal and Hereford had not beaten Newcastle, I don’t think I would be here talking to you now,” Motson said prior to his retirement in 2018.
“It changed my life, in the sense I was on trial that year at the BBC, I hadn’t got a contract at that stage. I had been in radio, and they kind of borrowed me for a year if you like to see if I made out."
He was first put in charge of an FA Cup final in 1977 as a late replacement for David Coleman, and soon became the voice of every major final on the BBC including the World Cup - up until 2008.
During that time he oversaw a record six World Cup finals - his last being the 2006 tournament in Germany, as well as 29 FA Cup finals and two Olympic Games.
He was behind the mic when Wimbledon produced their incredible giant-killing win over Liverpool in the 1988 FA Cup final, to which Motson remarked "the Crazy Gang have beaten the Culture Club."
Sadly, he was also in the gantry for the tragic events at Hillsborough in the FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest the following year and would later go on to give evidence at the inquest.
He announced he would be retiring from the BBC at the end of the 2017-18 season and his final match in the gantry for Match of the Day was Crystal Palace's clash with West Bromwich Albion, after which he was invited onto the pitch and given a huge applause by the fans.
Tributes have poured in the the much-loved broadcaster since the news of his passing.
Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker said: "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."
Long-time ITV commentator Clive Tyldesley paid a touching tribute, writing: "As a teenager I just wanted to be John Motson. Nobody else. Terribly sad."
BBC colleague Guy Mowbray wrote simply: "In shock. Thank you JM."
BT Sport commentator Darren Fletcher, who is now the voice of Champions League football, wrote on Twitter: "This is such sad news - an iconic commentator with his own distinctive and brilliant style. The soundtrack to my youth watching football."
Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher said: "RIP John Motson. 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."
Sky Sports' Geoff Shreeves said: "Very sad news that John Motson has passed away. He went out of his way to help me when I was first starting out in the business. A kind man who was always good company. My condolences to Anne and Freddy. R.I.P. Motty."
Stan Collymore said: "A sporting icon in his own right, a pleasure to work with and see regularly over many years. Rest in Peace, Motty, a broadcasting giant."
Former Sky Sports anchor Richard Keys wrote: "Oh Motty - how sad. You were the best for a very long time. You turned football commentary into an art-form & set the bench mark for a generation to come. I will always cherish the time we had together. RIP my friend."
The Football Supporters Association released a statement which read: "Very sad news about legendary commentator John Motson who has died aged 77 today. John was awarded a lifetime achievement award by supporters at our awards ceremony back in 2017 - John was a gent that night and it was a pleasure to have him along. RIP Motty."
Comedian David Baddiel, who co-wrote the iconic Three Lions song for Euro 96, posted on Twitter: "John Motson. Oy. Feels impossible: a voice that, at one time, was football. RIP."
Football Focus presenter Dan Walker posted on Twitter: “We will miss John Motson. His voice will always be ringing in our ears."
He is survived by his wife Anne and son Frederick.
