Summary

  • Legendary commentator John Motson has died at the age of 77

  • He covered 10 World Cups, 10 European Championships and 29 FA Cup finals for BBC Sport

  • Send us your tributes using #bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply).

  1. Motty - the voice of football for 50 yearspublished at 15:01 Greenwich Mean Time 23 February 2023

    A highlights reel that covered 2,500 games over 50 years.

    That's all from us today, when we said farewell to a broadcasting legend.

    Read our obituary for John Motson.

    John Motson
  2. Memorable Motson momentspublished at 14:57 Greenwich Mean Time 23 February 2023

    "Radford again. OH WHAT A GOAL! What a goal! Radford the scorer" - The blistering strike from non-league Hereford's Ronnie Radford that helped put Newcastle out of the FA Cup in 1972 and placed Motson on the map as a commentator.

    "For those of you watching in black and white, Spurs are in the all-yellow strip" -Commentating on a Tottenham game.

    "Villa...AND STILL RICKY VILLA! What a fantastic run! He's scored!" - Ricky Villa's winning goal for Spurs in the 1981 FA Cup final replay.

    "And there it is, the Crazy Gang have beaten the Culture Club!" - The final whistle as Wimbledon defeated Liverpool in the 1988 FA Cup final.

    "This is almost fantasy football" - Norwich City go 2-0 up against Bayern Munich in the Olympic Stadium during the Canaries' Uefa Cup run of 1993.

    "Ohhh, this is getting better and better and better. One, two, three for Michael Owen!" - Owen completes his hat-trick in England's 5-1 win over Germany in 2001.

    "And the referee has gone across now with his hand in his pocket. He's been told about it. He's off, it's red, it's Zidane! You can't excuse that - Zidane's career ends in disgrace!" - Zinedine Zidane's sending off in the 2006 World Cup

    Media caption,

    John Motson: Five great moments from iconic BBC Sport commentator

  3. 'An absolute legend'published at 14:55 Greenwich Mean Time 23 February 2023

    Tributes have poured in from around the football world after the death of commentator John Motson.

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  4. ‘I’ve never had anything like this in my career’published at 14:54 Greenwich Mean Time 23 February 2023

    Another memorable Motty moment.

    When Ronaldo was missing from Brazil's 1998 World Cup final teamsheet.

    Media caption,

    John Motson: When Ronaldo was missing from Brazil's 1998 World Cup final teamsheet

  5. Motson looks back at his careerpublished at 14:52 Greenwich Mean Time 23 February 2023

    Before we go...

    We've brought you the sad news today that John Motson has died at the age of 77.

    Here, he reminisces about his career as a football commentator

    Media caption,

    John Motson reminisces about his career as a football commentator

  6. 'Aurier out for up to four weeks' - Cooperpublished at 14:50 Greenwich Mean Time 23 February 2023

    West Ham v Nottm Forest

    Nottingham Forest

    Nottingham Forest manager Steve Cooper on team news ahead of Saturday's match at West Ham: "Serge [Aurier] has added to the injury list, he’s going to be out for three to four weeks. It’s one of those things we have to get on with."

    "Injuries are how it can go sometimes and it’s not what you want to happen but it’s something we are having to contend with at the moment. We can still put a team out at the weekend, we can still play well and we can still go and win which is what we want."

    On opponents West Ham: "Really tough game. I see a team with really good players, I see a really experienced and good manager who I have a lot of time and respect for. It’s a Premier League game away from home so it’s going to be a tough game. They have some real dangerous players, are a real dangerous opponent and its something we have to prepare for in the right way."

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  7. 'There is something building under Ten Hag'published at 14:47 Greenwich Mean Time 23 February 2023

    Man Utd v Barcelona (20:00 GMT)

    Erik ten HagImage source, Getty Images

    Panic alarms won't be sounded at Manchester United if they fail to beat Barcelona and Newcastle this week, says Laurie Whitwell, who covers Erik ten Hag's side for The Athletic.

    Speaking before tonight's Europa League play-off second leg against Barcelona, he told BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily: "It’s evenly poised, but I feel United have got a unison about them, a sort of creative team work that they can figure out different moments in games and bring different chances to the table.

    "I think they will be ok and even if the match goes away from them they will be able to figure it out.

    "People can see there is something building under Erik ten Hag. He seems very calm in press conferences. He understands these are two huge games. If they go and beat Barcelona and beat Newcastle that is a rubber stamp on what a brilliant first season he has had.

    "It could go the other way and the champagne could be put on ice, but I feel it is beyond that. He has a great group of players here that understand their roles and he has been so good with the discipline that the building blocks are in place for future success."

    Find all the latest Man Utd content here

  8. 'You will never be forgotten'published at 14:45 Greenwich Mean Time 23 February 2023

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  9. Listen: Tribute to John Motsonpublished at 14:38 Greenwich Mean Time 23 February 2023

    BBC football correspondent John Murray pays a special tribute to commentator John Motson, who has died at the age of 77.

    5 Minutes on John Motson
  10. 'I like the fans to dream' - Silvapublished at 14:35 Greenwich Mean Time 23 February 2023

    Fulham v Wolves (Fri, 20:00 GMT)

    Fulham

    Fulham manager Marco Silva on dreaming of a European place, with the club sixth in the Premier League ahead of Friday's match at home to Wolves: "I am not the guy who likes to dream too much. Of course I am ambitious. We are showing our ambition and desire on the pitch. But to dream is for the fans. I like them to dream. But for us no - for us it is game by game. We have to prepare the players with full ambition to win each football match."

    Everything Fulham in one place – bookmark the page or if you’re using the app hit the bell icon for club notifications

  11. 'Difficult for Mitrovic to be ready' - Silvapublished at 14:30 Greenwich Mean Time 23 February 2023

    Fulham v Wolves (Fri, 20:00 GMT)

    Fulham

    Fulham manager Marco Silva had no new injury updates ahead of Friday's Premier League match at home to Wolves, but said striker Aleksandr Mitrovic faced a race to be fit: "It will be difficult for him to be ready, but we have some more time until tomorrow.

    "Today he was on the pitch already, working outside. So let's see what will be the news tomorrow."

  12. 'Incredibly sad' - Cooper on Mottypublished at 14:19 Greenwich Mean Time 23 February 2023

    West Ham v Nottm Forest (Sat, 15:00 GMT)

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  13. 'You sensed a good feeling' around Arsenal - Rodgerspublished at 14:15 Greenwich Mean Time 23 February 2023

    Leicester v Arsenal (Sat, 15:00 GMT)

    Leicester City

    Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers on Saturday's opponents Arsenal: "They’ve had a fantastic season. You sensed that right at the beginning of the season when we played each other, there was a good feeling around the place and that’s continued throughout the season.

    "Both teams want to play, that’s the identity and philosophy of both Mikel [Arteta] and myself. Like all games against the top teams, you have to do the basics well and then believe in your football that you can create and score goals."

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  14. Motty was 'a welcome presence at the Cottage'published at 14:13 Greenwich Mean Time 23 February 2023

    Fulham manager Marco Silva has also been talking ahead of Friday's Premier League match at home to Wolves. Earlier, the club paid this tribute to John Motson on Twitter:

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  15. Motson memories: In picturespublished at 14:11 Greenwich Mean Time 23 February 2023

    2018 - Day at the races

    John Motson with wife Anne at Royal AscotImage source, Getty Images

    2015 - Sheepskins galore

    John MotsonImage source, PA Media

    2001 - OBE

    John Motson was awarded an OBE in 2001Image source, PA Media

    1977 - Fresh-faced

    John Motson pictured in 1977
  16. 'We all grew up with him'published at 14:10 Greenwich Mean Time 23 February 2023

    Leicester v Arsenal (Sat, 15:00 GMT)

    Leicester City

    Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers paid tribute to legendary commentator John Motson, who has died at the age of 77, while speaking ahead of Saturday's match at home to Arsenal: "I think we all grew up with him. When I first moved into management, he was very supportive and I was always grateful for that. His knowledge of football was incredible. It’s so sad."

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  17. England goalkeeper Pickford agrees new Everton dealpublished at 14:05 Greenwich Mean Time 23 February 2023

    Everton

    Everton goalkeeper Jordan PickfordImage source, Getty Images

    As mentioned, England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford has agreed a new deal with Everton.

    The 28-year-old was approaching the last 12 months of his contract at Goodison Park and had been linked with a move to Tottenham Hotspur.

    Pickford joined Everton from Sunderland for £30m in 2017 and has gone on to make 222 appearances for the club.

    "He is a very good player. It is a sign he is enjoying the new regime and has accepted what we are looking to offer," said new manager Sean Dyche.

    The Toffees have won two of their three games under Dyche and lie 16th in the table.

  18. Dyche on new deal for Pickfordpublished at 14:01 Greenwich Mean Time 23 February 2023

    Everton v Aston Villa (Sat, 15:00 GMT)

    Everton

    Everton boss Sean Dyche on Jordan Pickford agreeing new deal: "I'm not bothered about release clauses, but he is a very good player, a good servant and he'll continue to be that.

    "It is a sign he is enjoying our new regime and what we have to offer. He's been a fantastic player. Any way we can help him to continue his development, we'll do."

  19. 'Football has got so big it has to be looked at' - Dychepublished at 13:57 Greenwich Mean Time 23 February 2023

    Everton v Aston Villa (Sat, 15:00 GMT)

    Everton

    Everton manager Sean Dyche on Government plans to introduce an independent football regulator: "We'll have to wait and see, but if they are putting something in place that is good for the whole game, then that is fair.

    "Football has got so big that it has to be looked at."

  20. Motson was 'a legend' - Dychepublished at 13:55 Greenwich Mean Time 23 February 2023

    Everton v Aston Villa (Sat, 15:00 GMT)

    Everton

    Everton boss Sean Dyche has been speaking before the Toffees face Aston Villa this weekend. He was asked about the death of legendary BBC commentator John Motson: "A legend. His voice alone, but he was a top fella as well, when I met him a few times. Sad loss."