Legendary football commentator John Motson has died at the age of 77.
Motson worked for the BBC for 50 years from 1968 to 2018, commentating on almost 2,500 televised football matches.
Regarded as the voice of football by many fans for a large chunk of that time, Motson provided commentary for the biggest occasions in the sport on the BBC.
The broadcaster voiced major finals in World Cups, European Championships and FA Cups from 1979 to 2008.
"It is with great sadness we announce that John Motson OBE died peacefully in his sleep today (Thursday)," read a statement from Motson's family.
In memory of John Motson, a defining and legendary voice of English football. pic.twitter.com/22ZpCB24E5
— EFL (@EFL) February 23, 2023
In total, Motson covered 10 World Cups, 10 European Championships and 29 FA Cup finals for the BBC, with his last major final being Portsmouth's victory over Cardiff City in the 2008 FA Cup showpiece at Wembley.
The man affectionately known as 'Motty' was also handed the top job of voicing the World Cup final on a record six occasions, the last of which was Italy's triumph over France in the 2006 edition.
The Salford-born commentator began his career as a reporter for the Barnet Press and Sheffield Morning Telegraph before working as a freelancer for BBC Radio Sheffield.
Motson soon earned a full-time job at the BBC in 1968 and began on Radio 2 before working his way up to become Match of the Day's main commentator.
Hereford's famous FA Cup upset against Newcastle United proved to be Motson's breakthrough moment as he provided the unforgettable commentary to one of the competition's greatest ever shocks, including a memorable 30-yard strike from Hereford's Ronnie Radford.
Motson went on to be awarded an OBE for his services to sports broadcasting in 2001, and commentated on his final game for Match of the Day in 2018 - Crystal Palace's home meeting with West Bromwich Albion.
Barney Corkhill
