Roddy Forsyth: BBC radio broadcaster retires after 40 years

Roddy Forsyth has covered Scotland at four World Cups and three European Championship finals

Scottish football broadcaster Roddy Forsyth says he is "somewhat emotional" after announcing he is to retire because of Parkinson's disease.

The BBC Radio 5 Live correspondent said after Scotland's Euro 2024 qualifier against Georgia on Tuesday that it would be his last match after more than 40 years of service with BBC radio.

He covered four World Cups and three European Championships with Scotland.

"Thank you so, so much to my family and the listeners," said Forsyth.

"It'll be strange, there'll be withdrawal symptoms, but I'm hoping to still make some contributions and will still be going to games."

Forsyth also worked on five European finals featuring Scottish sides.

Having started with the BBC in 1981, he began his current role in 1986 - an eventful year which included the arrival of Graeme Souness as player-manager at Rangers and the departure of boss Alex Ferguson from Aberdeen.

The reporter tracked Ferguson down at an airport hotel and called in the news of his move to Manchester United from a payphone after a quick glass of champagne with Ferguson and Old Trafford chairman Martin Edwards.

Forsyth has witnessed five final-day title deciders and was in Munich for a Uefa Cup tie in October 1995 when the scoreboard briefly read Bayern Munich 0-1 Raith Rovers.

He lists his low point as Gary McAllister's missed penalty against England at Wembley during Euro 96, with Paul Gascoigne scoring the goal of the tournament soon after.

Career highlights included the 1991 Scottish Cup final, with Motherwell edging out Dundee United in a 4-3 thriller, and Rangers beating Leeds United home and away in 1992 in the Champions League.

"One of the estimable pleasures of having done this job is the number of times people have said 'hi, I listen'," he said.

"My wife and I were remembering that we were at Glasgow airport, going on our honeymoon, and at the security desk the man says 'I know who you are... Do a bit of commentary, do Rangers-Leeds, do the winning goal'.

"So, standing at the front of the queue, I did. Then he said 'right, you can go through now'."

There are also fond memories of Scotland opening the 1998 World Cup against Brazil, with the Tartan Army marching along the Champs-Elysees and being applauded by the Parisians.

Tom Connor, BBC Scotland sports editor, said Forsyth has "had a remarkable career".

He added: "He's a brilliant communicator who has led audiences through the twists and turns of the game in Scotland for decades with his memorable commentaries and analyses.

"At BBC Scotland, we're grateful for his many radio contributions and also the interviews he conducted so skilfully for the landmark television series, Only A Game. We wish him all the best."

Forsyth will reflect on his career later on a BBC Radio 5 Live Sport Special called Roddy's Game, from 21:00 BST.