John Motson
John Motson – Life, Career, and Memorable Moments
John Motson (10 July 1945 – 23 February 2023) was a legendary British football commentator known as “Motty,” whose distinctive voice, match-calling style, and sheepskin coat made him an icon of football broadcasting. Explore his life, career, legacy, and unforgettable commentary moments.
Introduction
John Walker Motson, affectionately known as “Motty,” is one of the most recognizable voices in British football history. For decades, his commentary accompanied some of the greatest moments in the game — from FA Cup finals to World Cups. A consummate professional with deep love for the sport, his work bridged generations of fans and became inseparable from how many people experienced football. Even beyond technique, his peculiarities (like the sheepskin coat) and dedication made him a cultural figure in British media.
Early Life and Family
John Motson was born on 10 July 1945 in Salford, Lancashire, England. His father served as a Methodist minister, and Motson would later reference his upbringing in a religious household as formative.
Though born in Salford, he spent parts of his childhood in Boston, Lincolnshire, where he was baptized and connected to the local football culture.
His education included attending Culford School, near Bury St Edmunds. Interestingly, Culford at the time emphasized sports like rugby, cricket, and hockey rather than football — making football a kind of personal passion rather than institutional favor.
Youth, Early Career & Entry into Broadcasting
As a young man, Motson began his professional life not in broadcasting, but in journalism. In 1963 he worked as a reporter in Chipping Barnet. By 1967–1968, he was with the Sheffield Morning Telegraph, where he began to cover football more directly.
He joined the BBC in 1968 as a sports presenter on Radio 2. His first radio commentary appearance came in December 1969 for a match between Everton and Derby County.
He made his television commentary debut in October 1971, working on Match of the Day with a match between Liverpool and Chelsea (a 0–0 draw).
One of his earliest career-defining moments came in February 1972, when he was assigned to commentate on the FA Cup replay between Hereford United and Newcastle United. Hereford, a lower-tier side, scored a dramatic equaliser via Ronnie Radford, and the upset became legendary. Motson’s call — “Oh what a goal! Radford the scorer. Ronnie Radford!” — became part of football folklore. This match helped cement his reputation and led to more high-profile assignments.
Broadcasting Career & Achievements
Prolific Match Commentary
Over his decades-long career, Motson commentated on over 2,000 matches on TV and radio. He covered 10 FIFA World Cups, 10 UEFA European Championships, and 29 FA Cup finals.
From the late 1970s through 2008, he was the dominant voice for BBC football coverage (save for brief periods in the mid-1990s when other commentators were chosen).
In 2008, Motson announced he would no longer commentate live television matches. His final live TV commentary was the Euro 2008 final. After that, he continued working on Match of the Day highlight programmes and BBC Radio 5 Live.
In September 2017, Motson announced his full retirement from BBC commentary.
However, in July 2018, he came out of retirement to work for TalkSPORT, continuing to lend his voice to football coverage.
He also contributed commentary to video games (such as the FIFA series) and other media. For instance, he was involved in FIFA 96 and later projects, although he was briefly replaced for FIFA 06, before returning in other versions.
In 2019, he provided commentary for the mobile game Head Ball 2.
Memorable Moments & Signature Style
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Ronnie Radford Goal
The 1972 Hereford vs Newcastle goal remains one of Motson’s most remembered calls. It elevated both the match itself and Motson’s status. -
Hillsborough Disaster
In April 1989, while commentating on a FA Cup semi-final (Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest), Motson was effectively watching a tragedy unfold rather than a sporting event. He later appeared as a witness in the Hillsborough inquiry. -
Sheepskin Coat (“Motty Coat”)
From December 1990 onwards, Motson began wearing a sheepskin coat during cold matches, initially after “battling horizontal sleet showers” in a lower-tier FA Cup tie. Over time, that coat became his trademark, so associated with him that it became part of his persona. On a quiz show he once said he bought seven identical coats hoping they would last his career. -
Quotable Commentary Lines
Some of his memorable lines include:“Here’s Gascoigne – oh brilliant – oh yes – oh yes!” (during England vs Scotland)
He had the capacity to convey drama, subtlety, and immediacy, shaping how fans remembered matches. -
Voice Qualities
In a 2001 voice analysis comparing top commentators on pitch, volume, rhythm, and tone, Motson rated highest among them. A survey among football fans pegged him as Britain’s favorite commentator by 32%.
Personal Life & Honors
Motson married Anne Jobling in 1976. They resided in Little Brickhill, Buckinghamshire, and had a son, Frederick (born 1986).
He was a long-time supporter of Barnet FC. In 2012, he publicly stated his support for the club.
In 1996, he was the subject of This Is Your Life. He also appeared on BBC Radio 4’s Great Lives in 2007, where he nominated Brian Clough as an influence.
In recognition of his work, Motson was awarded the Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2001 for his contributions to sports broadcasting.
He passed away in his sleep on 23 February 2023, at age 77. He had been undergoing treatment for bowel cancer since around 2014.
Legacy and Influence
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Voice of Generations
For more than four decades, Motson’s commentary was the soundtrack for countless fans’ football memories. His style, tone, and tonality became inseparable from how people experienced the game in the UK. -
Craftsmanship & Consistency
He embodied the idea of the professional commentator: deeply prepared, calm under pressure, and always attentive to context. Even as broadcasting technology and styles shifted, he remained relevant. -
Cultural Icon
The sheepskin coat, his nicknames, and his signature phrases elevated him beyond just a broadcaster to a beloved public figure. -
Mentor & Standard-setter
Many commentators who came after watched, studied, or subtly measured themselves against Motson’s approach. He set a benchmark for intelligible, engaging, and fair commentary. -
Recorded Legacy
Through archives, match recordings, video games, and documentaries, his voice continues to live on for future generations.
Memorable Quotes & Commentary Snippets
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“Oh what a goal! Radford the scorer. Ronnie Radford!” — in the 1972 Hereford vs Newcastle match.
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“Here’s Gascoigne — oh brilliant — oh yes — oh yes!” — during England vs Scotland.
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On being associated with a sheepskin coat: he related purchasing multiple identical coats “hoping that they would span his career.”
While he was not typically an aphorist, his real-time match calls reveal his flair for dramatic phrasing and an ability to articulate the emotional highs of sport.
Lessons from John Motson’s Career
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Mastery through longevity
Success in broadcasting doesn’t stem from fleeting moments — it emerges through decades of consistent, quality performance. -
Professional humility
Despite his fame, Motson rarely drew attention to himself. He let the game speak, and he shaped his commentary around what the match needed. -
Distinctiveness as brand
The sheepskin coat is a reminder: small, consistent trademarks help an individual stand out in a crowded field. -
Emotional intelligence
In crisis moments (like Hillsborough), he maintained composure, conveyed sensitivity, and respected the gravity of events beyond sport. -
Adaptability
As broadcasting evolved — from radio to TV, live to highlights, new media to video games — Motson adapted without losing his core strengths.
Conclusion
John Motson remains a towering figure in football commentary — a voice that blended authority, passion, and evocative storytelling. His voice doesn’t merely describe events; it helps listeners feel them. His legacy is not only in the matches he covered, but in how his style shaped the memory of football itself.