John Motson admitted he was "sad" about the single regret from his iconic career

23 February 2023 , 10:31

768     0

John Motson admitted he was "sad" about the single regret from his iconic career

Commentary legend John Motson has sadly passed away aged 77.

The iconic announcer had a 50-year career with the BBC and his voice became synonymous with British football. During his legendary stint behind the mic, Motson covered 20 international tournaments, as well as a staggering 29 FA Cup finals.

A statement from the BBC confirming his death said: "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 and commentated on almost 2,500 televised games."

John Motson spent 50 years with the BBC

Motson was the soundtrack to England’s long and winding search to win a World Cup - with his voice accompanying some of the Three Lions’ most painful moments on the international stage.

His first World Cup assignment was in 1974 in West Germany, a tournament England failed to qualify for. He would commentate on every tournament until 2010, where Fabio Capello’s side crashed out in the round-of-16.

Man Utd's January transfer window winners and losers as 'new Scholes' makes exit

And in an interview with he admitted that his biggest regret was never being able to describe England lifting a world title for the second time. "I stood down from live commentary after Euro 2008, and it was the right time to go.

Commentary legend John Motson has died, aged 77 (PA)

“I have no regrets about that call. If I'm sad about anything, it's that I will never commentate on an England manager who wins the World Cup."

The highlights from his legendary career include some of the most memorable in the history of the sport. Asked for the best match he covered, Motson said: "Italy beating Brazil 3-2 in the quarter-finals in 1982, Paolo Rossi hat-trick. Bobby Charlton, my co-commentator that day, was in tears afterwards because Brazil played the most beautiful football he had ever seen."

And it was another Italian who scored the best goal he covered: "Roberto Baggio, for Italy against Czechoslovakia in 1990. He was the home nation's pin-up boy. Slalom through about four defenders before clipping it in. Mesmerising stuff."

Motson with his close friend and former England boss Roy Hodgson

Motson moved to talkSPORT in 2018 meaning he covered 12 different permanent England managers, from Don Revie in ‘74 all the way through to his close friend Roy Hodgson and then Gareth Southgate.

"I had great affection for Ron Greenwood, whose team went home unbeaten in 1982," said Motty. "Bobby Robson came as close as any England manager since Ramsey, Glenn Hoddle was decidedly unlucky in 1998 when David Beckham was sent off, then Sven missed the boat with the so-called golden generation.

"And Fabio Capello ran out of excuses. He had a fantastic record in club football, but after four-and-a-half years, he had learned little English and I'm afraid he made a mess of it in South Africa."

Mike Walters