Football broadcaster Arthur Montford dies, aged 85

Arthur Montford presented STV's Scotsport programme for 32 years

Former Scottish football broadcaster Arthur Montford has died aged 85.

He was best known for hosting more than 2,000 episodes of STV's Scotsport programme over a 32-year period from the late 1950s.

As well as presentation Montford also carried out football commentaries and wrote about other sports, most notably golf.

He died at home after battling illness intermittently over the past couple of years.

Arthur Montford wearing one of his trademark jackets in the 1960s

Montford, who was from Greenock and a lifelong Morton fan, began as a journalist and radio presenter before the opening of the STV studios at the Theatre Royal offered another opportunity.

In August 1957, Montford was offered the STV job, but told a recent BBC Scotland programme he needed some convincing.

He said: "I hadn't really thought much about it but when he said that my salary would jump from £14 a week to £20 a week, I became extremely interested and I was hired on the spot as the newscaster, sportscaster, continuity announcer and jack of all trades…"

During his time on Scotsport, Montford became famous for his trademark sports jackets and classic lines such as "what a stramash!".

Having come from a long line of newspapermen, Montford gave credit for his presentation style to his father's influence.

He said: "My father told me that no matter how poor the game was, whether you were writing it, describing it on radio, or commentating on it, you must look for something worthwhile to talk about and do not be negative. And it was a thought that I always carried with me".