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FOOTBALL IN MOURNING AS VOICE OF BBC DIES, AGED 77

Evening Standard

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February 23, 2023

JOHN MOTSON 1945-2023

- George Flood

FOOTBALL IN MOURNING AS VOICE OF BBC DIES, AGED 77

TRIBUTES were today being paid to “the voice of football”, following the death of legendary commentator John Motson, at the age of 77.

Motson’s family confirmed that the former BBC broadcaster and voice of Match of the Day had died peacefully in his sleep.

Popularly known as ‘Motty’, he covered 10 World Cups, 10 European Championships and 29 FA Cup Finals during a distinguished 50-year career with the BBC.

He worked on Match of the Day from 1971 and commentated on almost 2,500 televised games until he left the organisation in 2018 to take up a radio role at TalkSport.

Motson was awarded an OBE in 2001 for services to sports broadcasting.

“It is with great sadness we announce that John Motson OBE died peacefully in his sleep today,” said a statement from Motson’s family.

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