Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish on John Motson: "So sad to hear the voice of football for so many years John Motson has passed away.

"A lovely man who came to many games with us long after he had ‘retired’.

"He was one of the greats, his words perfectly punctuating so many incredible occasions. RIP John"

John Motson reminisces about his career as a football commentator

BBC Radio 5 Live

Former sports minister Tracey Crouch, speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, on John Motson: "It is heart-breaking, he is iconic, he is a legend of the game. He is a name that trips off the tongue whenever you think of the great football commentators. My heart breaks today for his family, his friends and his many, many colleagues throughout his long and distinguished career at the BBC - starting at local level and rising up to be such a national icon. That is really sad news on a day of news about football. Devastating."

John Motson discusses retirement and his favourite commentaries in conversation with BBC News Sports Editor Dan Roan back in 2017.

BBC Director-General Tim Davie said:

“John Motson was the voice of a footballing generation – steering us through the twists and turns of FA Cup runs, the highs and lows of World Cups and, of course, Saturday nights on Match of the Day.

"Like all the greats behind the mic, John had the right words, at the right time, for all the big moments. He will rightly be remembered as a legendary figure in British sports broadcasting, respected by those in the game, loved by fans and an inspiration to those who followed him in the commentary box.”

BBC Radio 5 Live

Sky commentator Martin Tyler on BBC Radio 5 Live: "John was the standard-setter for us all. We basically all looked up to him - his diligence, his dedication, his knowledge. He was a very serious broadcaster but he was a real fun guy to be around.

"I went on a few football tours with him. We all had to stand up and speak and when Motty spoke we knew we were in for a good time - he had a great sense of humour.

"I am just so shocked. I hadn't seen him for a little while. I didn't know it was anything as serious as this. Just a few days after Dickie Davies left us. Broadcasting has taken two very big hits."

Trevor: My Motty moment is forever Gazza's goal vs Scotland in Euro 96. A brief moment where his impartial commentary at an international home derby, trumped by pure Gazza genius. His words of 'oh yes, oh yes,' echoed every England fans at that exact moment. RIP Motty.

Giles: RIP Motty. Forever remembered with a voiceover "Well, I think today's game might be off".

Just as the camera pans along to see him standing on the pitch in 5 inches of snow in that legendary sheepskin coat. THE master.

Motson covered 10 World Cups, 10 European Championships and 29 FA Cup finals for BBC Sport before retiring from the organisation in 2018.

Popularly known as 'Motty', he had worked on Match of the Day since 1971.

"It is with great sadness we announce that John Motson OBE died peacefully in his sleep today (Thursday)," said a statement from Motson's family.

The son of a Methodist minister, he had stints as a reporter on the Barnet Press and Sheffield Morning Telegraph at the start of his career.

He also worked as a freelancer for BBC Radio Sheffield before he joined the BBC on a full-time basis in 1968.

After starting out as a sports reporter on Radio 2, he made his breakthrough on Match of the Day during the famous FA Cup replay between Hereford and Newcastle four years later.

Originally billed as a five-minute segment, Hereford's shock 2-1 win - featuring Ronnie Radford's famous 30-yard strike - saw the match promoted to the main game, with Motson capturing all the drama.

From 1979 to 2008 Motson - known for his trademark sheepskin coats and encyclopaedic knowledge of the game - was the BBC's voice on major finals such as the FA Cup, European Championships and World Cup.

That run included his record-breaking sixth World Cup final in Berlin in 2006 and his 29th FA Cup final in 2008. He also covered more than 200 England games.

His final game for Match of the Day was between Crystal Palace and West Bromwich Albion in 2018.

He was invited on to the pitch after full-time and applauded by the fans before Palace manager Roy Hodgson presented him with a framed copy of the programme from his first and last matches at Selhurst Park and a crystal microphone.

Motson became an OBE in 2001 for services to sports broadcasting.

Get in touch with your tributes to and memories of John Motson and we'll share as many as we can.

Motson covered many major football tournaments for BBC Sport and was a staple on Match of the Day over the years.

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