John Motson: Tribute to the Voice of a Football Generation

Takbir Rahman pays tribute to the late John Motson OBE, an integral voice of the modern game and a huge loss to English football made viewers feel like they were right there in the stadium.

John Motson, the legendary football commentator, passed away on February 23rd, 2023. Hewas 77 years old. Motson was a beloved figure in the world of football, known for his distinctive voice, encyclopaedic knowledge of the game, and ability to capture the drama and excitement of a match.

Motson began his career as a journalist, working for the Barnet Press and then the BBC. He made his debut as a commentator on Match of the Day in 1971 and quickly became one of the most recognisable voices in football. Over the course of his career, he covered 10 World Cups, 10 European Championships, 29 Fa Cup Finals and over 200 England games.

Motson’s commentary was marked by his passion for the game and his ability to convey that passion to viewers. He was a master of the art of commentary, able to capture the drama and excitement of a match with his words. He had a knack for spotting the key moments in a game and describing them in a way that

Most notably, Motson came to prominence as he peered over the gantry, illustrating Ronnie Radford’s strike which helped Hereford to knock top-flight Newcastle out of the FA Cup. The huge upset was fitting for the country’s oldest football competition and Motson provided the perfect commentary for the occasion. Hereford vs Newcastle was just the beginning of Motson’s illustrious career but nevertheless this occasion was a prelude for greater heights.

Motson’s commentary was often sprinkled with interesting facts and anecdotes about the teams, players, and stadiums he covered. ball never waned. For Motson, beauty was football and football truly was the most beautiful game.

One of Motson’s most memorable moments as a commentator came during the 2004 game between Germany and England in Munich. England ran out 1-5 victors as 14.6 million football fans tuned in to watch the Three Lions dispatch of international rivals Germany. As he did throughout his career, Motson’s commentary was infectious, speaking on behalf of all England fans when he exasperated, “this is getting better and better”.

Fittingly, Motson’s ascendency continued at an incredible pace. As generations passed, more and more football fans became accustomed to the commentator’s sparkling analysis. John Motson became synonymous with the game; his voice will be forever missed as long as a ball is kicked in this country.

The great commentator’s impact on football fans cannot be overstated. He was a fixture in the lives of millions of football fans, and his commentary helped to shape the way people experienced the game. The voice of football will be sorely missed.

Motson was there when Mateo Materazzi was the recipient of the infamous headbutt from Zinedine Zidane. Truly, the commentator cemented himself into football folklore. Although Zidane’s career ended in “disgrace” (in the words of Motson himself), the beautiful game will never forget the voice behind the drama.

There are very little similarities between football now and when John Motson began his commentating career, however Motson seldom lost touch with his vintage passion of the sport. The love he harboured for foot-

In the wake of Motson’s death, tributes have poured in from across the world. Fans have shared their memories of his commentary, and players and managers have spoken of the impact he had on the game. The outpouring of love and respect for Motson is a testament to the profound impact he had on football and the people who love it.

Motson was an iconic football commentator whose unique voice, extensive knowledge, and love for the game made him a cherished figure in the football world. His passing is a great loss to football and to everyone who admired him. May he rest in peace.