John Motson, the legendary BBC football commentator, has died aged 77, the broadcaster has said.
Motson, popularly known as “Motty”, had an illustrious 50-year career with the BBC, working with the broadcaster’s flagship football highlight show, Match of the Day, since 1971.
According to the BBC, he commentated on over 2,500 televised games and covered 10 World Cups, 10 European Championships and 29 FA Cup finals for BBC Sport.
Revered across the game, the commentator, often seen beside the pitch pre-game with a microphone and in his trademark sheepskin coat, was awarded an OBE for services to sports broadcasting in 2001.
His famous sheepskin coat became almost as iconic as his voice – though it was not a trend he was hoping to set when he first wore it to a match in 1990.
Speaking to TalkSport, he said: “I didn’t set out to make the sheepskin coat anything special, but it just happened when I was at Wycombe in 1990 and the snow came down.
“I looked forlorn and it just stuck from then on.
He said that he had worn 10 sheepskin coats throughout his career, adding: “I have always had them made to measure. Even when it is warm people ask where the coat is.
“I’ve always paid for my own. People think the BBC pay for them but they don’t.”
Born in Salford to a Methodist minister father, he began his career with stints on the Barnet Press and Sheffield Morning Telegraph.
Motson joined the BBC full-time in 1968, having worked at first as a freelancer for BBC Radio Sheffield.
His final game for Match of the Day was between Crystal Palace and West Bromwich Albion in 2018.
Motson lived in Buckinghamshire with wife, Anne, with whom he was married for more than 45 years.
