The Magic Of Motty

KEVIN HALLS takes an affectionate look back at the career of a commentating icon…

- John Motson

AS THE saying goes: All good things must come to an end.And so it will be at the end of this season when John Motson hangs up his mike after commentating for an incredible 50 years with the BBC.

Born in Salford in 1945, he was aged 18 when he joined the Barnet Press, a weekly newspaper in Hertfordshire.

Four years later he moved up North to Sheffield to join the Morning Telegraph as a sports reporter and sub-editor, where he would also do short reports for Radio Sheffield.

In 1969, after honing his skills, Motson was to voice his first football commentary for Radio 2, the second half of a game between Everton and Derby County.

He was a natural talker and his passion for the game stood out.

And just two years later, he got his big break on none other than the iconic Match of the Day, where he would commentate on Liverpool v Chelsea in a 0-0 draw.