MOTTY’S MAGIC MOMENTS

SAM TOOD TAKES A LOOK BACK AT SOME OF THE HIGHLIGHTS OF LEGENDARY COMMENTATOR JOHN MOTSON'S CAREER FOLLOWING HIS DEATH IN FEBRUARY AT THE AGE OF 77

- SAM TOOD

IT’S hard to believe that John Motson is no longer with us. The sheepskin-coated commentator hung up his highlights microphone in 2018 - having stopped doing live games for the BBC following the Euro 2008 final - but his distinctive voice, pronouncing every syllable clearly as it rose and fell with the rhythm of the match, could still be heard in recent years previewing and reviewing the weekend’s fixtures for talkSPORT as well as on commercials.

Motty also remained visible at matches, attending Sutton United’s reunion of the 1989 FA Cup giant-killers he commentated on when they eliminated 1987 winners Coventry City, while the fact he spent what would be his last night at his local pub watching Red Bull Leipzig and Manchester City in the Champions League showed that the passion for a sport he soundtracked for half a century was undiminished.

Here are just a few of his memorable moments from an incredible career…

“Radford again... oh what a goal!”

Motson came to prominence in 1972 when, on trial at Match of the Day from BBC Radio, he was dispatched to cover Newcastle United’s third round FA Cup replay at Southern League outfit Hereford United.

The Magpies had taken a late lead through Malcolm Macdonald when this happened: “Tremendous spirit in this Hereford side, they’re not giving this up by any means. Radford...now Tudor’s gone down for Newcastle, Radford again...oh what a goal! What a goal! Radford the scorer... Ronnie Radford... and the crowd are invading the pitch, and now it will take some time to clear the field.”