‘For Men To Talk’ thanks the football commentator John Motson

John Motson was the voice of a footballing generation for an illustrious 50-year career. Most football fans will symbolise Motson as the greatest commentator of the game. Sadly, his death was announced today, at the age of 77.

It’s important to write about John Motson in ‘For Men To Talk’ as many men, as well as women, will find the news very sad and nostalgic, that a symbolic figure from our childhood has passed away. Figures, such as John Motson can have a significant impact on our lives and can feel like a part of our personal histories, especially if we grew up watching or listening to them, like we did with Motty.

John Motson was a legendary British football commentator and become a household name in the world of sports broadcasting. He was known for his distinctive voice, encyclopedic knowledge of football and his ability to convey the excitement of a match to millions of fans around the world. In this article, we will take a closer look at his life and career.

Early Life and Career

John Motson was born on July 10, 1945, in Salford, Manchester, England. He grew up in nearby Lancashire and developed a love for football at a young age. After finishing school, he attended the University of Sussex, where he studied history.

In 1963, Motson’s career began as a newspaper reporter in Chipping Barnet. In 1967 and 1968 he worked for the Sheffield Morning Telegraph where he first covered football.

Motson’s career in broadcasting began in the early 1970s when he joined the BBC as a radio sports reporter.  In October 1971, he began appearing as a regular commentator with the BBC television programme Match of the Day, his first commentary being a 0–0 draw between Liverpool and Chelsea.

One of Motson’s breakthrough moments was on Match of the Day during the famous FA Cup replay between Hereford and Newcastle. Originally billed as a five-minute segment, Hereford’s shock 2-1 win, featuring Ronnie Radford’s famous 30-yard strike, with Motson capturing the goal emphatically; “Radford again. OH WHAT A GOAL! What a goal! Radford the scorer.”

Career as a Commentator

Over the next four decades, John Motson became one of the most recognisable and respected voices in sports broadcasting. He covered some of the biggest matches in football history, including World Cup and European Championship finals.

Motson’s distinctive voice, with trademark sheepskin coat was instantly recognisable to millions of football fans around the world. His encyclopedic knowledge of the game and his ability to convey the excitement of a match made him a beloved figure in the world of sports broadcasting.

Motson has also become known for his quirky catchphrases and sayings. For example:

“For those of you watching in black and white, Spurs are in the all-yellow strip”.

“That shot might not have been as good as it might have been”.

“Northern Ireland were in white, which was quite appropriate because three inches of snow had to be cleared from the pitch before kick off.”

“Gary Lineker has now scored 37 goals. That is precisely twice as many as last year.”

Gary Lineker, himself, tweeted: “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”.

In addition to his work as a commentator, Motson also wrote several books about football. He has also been involved in a number of charitable initiatives, including serving as an ambassador for the Bobby Moore Fund for Cancer Research UK.

Bowel Cancer

John Motson feels he owes his life to the Bobby Moore Fund for Cancer Research UK, the charity set up by Bobby Moore’s widow Stephanie following his death on 24 February 1993 at the age of just 51.

“If it hadn’t been for Bobby Moore and his widow Stephanie, I wouldn’t be talking to you today, because as you know Bobby died of bowel cancer and Stephanie has raised millions for that fund,” he said.

“I got bowel cancer six years ago and Stephanie got me in with a doctor in Harley Street and I had two operations which, thank goodness, were successful”.

“Of course, treatment had moved on a lot since Bobby died and I was in the hands of people at The London Clinic and I managed to pull through.”

Retirement

In 2018, John Motson announced his retirement from commentary after nearly 50 years in the business. His final game for Match of the Day was between Crystal Palace and West Bromwich Albion in 2018.

Motson was invited on to the pitch after full-time and applauded by the fans before the then Palace manager Roy Hodgson presented him with a framed copy of the programme from his first and last matches at Selhurst Park and a crystal microphone.Motson covered 10 World Cups, 10 European Championships and 29 FA Cup finals for BBC Sport before retiring from the organisation in 2018. 

Following his retirement, Motson had remained involved in the world of football. He made several appearances on television and radio programs, offering his thoughts and insights on the game. He has also been involved in a number of projects aimed at promoting football at the grassroots level.

Conclusion

John Motson was one of the most iconic figures in the world of sports broadcasting. His distinctive voice, encyclopedic knowledge of football, and ability to convey the excitement of a match had made him a beloved figure to millions of fans around the world. Although he has now passed, without a shadow of doubt, his legacy in the world of football will live on for many years to come.

John Motson’s Loss

Here are some tips that might help you cope with his loss:

• Allow yourself to feel your emotions: It’s okay to feel sad, upset,or even angry. Acknowledge and allow yourself to feel your emotions. Don’t try to suppress or deny them.
• Connect with others: Reach out to friends or family members who share your fond memories of Motty. Share stories on social media, watch old interviews or performances, and reminisce about the good times.
• Honour their legacy: Consider donating to the Bobby Moore Fund for Cancer Research UK that here supported so much.
• Take care of yourself: Grief can be physically and emotionally exhausting. Make sure to take care of yourself by getting enough sleep, eating well and exercising.

Remember that everyone grieves differently and in their own time. Be kind to yourself and give yourself the space and time you need to process your emotions.

We thank John Motson, for all what he gave to football and thank you for being a huge part of our lives whilst we were watching the game. Our sincere thoughts are to his family and friends at this truly sad time.