Legendary commentator John Motson has passed away at the age of 77, his heartbroken family confirmed on a poignant day for British football.
Motson, aka ‘Motty’, was part of the fabric of the nation for more than 50 years after commentating on over 2,000 matches, including 29 FA Cup finals, ten World Cups and ten European Championships for the BBC.
Generations of supporters mourned the loss of a true national treasure on Thursday, taking to social media to pay tribute to the broadcaster and reminisce about his greatest soundbites.
Over the course of his illustrious career he provided a number of now famous soundbites.
Following his death, Sportsmail‘s DOMINIC KING takes a look back at Motson’s top 10 moments in football, featuring iconic goals from the World Cup, European Championships and FA Cup.
Legendary commentator John Motson has died aged 77, his family confirmed on Thursday
Motson, pictured at the 1986 World Cup, was a national treasure who will be sorely missed
1) Ronnie Radford – Hereford v Newcastle United, 1972 FA Cup third round replay
MOTSON: ‘Radford… Now Tudor has gone down for Newcastle… And Radford again and… OH WHAT A GOAL! What a goal! Radford the scorer! And the crowd are invading the pitch! What a tremendous shot by Ronnie Radford!’
A fitting description of a glorious goal.
2) Ricky Villa – Manchester City v Tottenham, 1981 FA Cup final replay
MOTSON: ‘Galvin wants to go on his own… Villa… (pauses) Still Ricky Villa! What a fantastic run! And he’s scored! An amazing goal… by Ricky Villa!’
His genuine sense of disbelief was so striking.
3) Falcao – Italy v Brazil, 1982 World Cup second round
MOTSON: ‘Junior, away from Conti. Falcao, over to the right, in a good position. Still Falcao… Still Falcao! What a drive! It’s there! Falcao, who plays for an Italian club, wipes out Italy’s lead!’
Enthusiasm leapt from his every syllable.
Motson provided a fitting description of Ronnie Radford’s glorious goal against Newcastle
His genuine sense of disbelief at Ricky Villa’s goal against Man City in 1981 was so striking
4) Michel Platini – France v Portugal, 1984 Euros semi-final
MOTSON: ‘Tigana… Platini! (pauses) GOAL! Platini, for France, with a minute to go! It’s 3-2! I’ve not seen a match like this in years!’
You could sense the privilege he felt at describing an all-time classic.
5) David Platt – England v Belgium, 1990 World Cup last 16
MOTSON: ‘Gascoigne to take it… And chipped in… And volleyed in! It’s there! It’s David Platt! England have done it! In the last minute of extra time! England are through to the quarter-finals of the World Cup and Bobby Robson is ecstatic!’
A line so iconic, it was immortalised in song.
Motson provided such an iconic line for David Platt’s goal against Belgium at the 1990 World Cup that it was immortalised in song
6) Gary Lineker – England v West Germany, 1990 World Cup semi-final
MOTSON: ‘They are appealing for offside, the Germans, and they are in trouble and Augenthaler can’t do but Lineker probably could… and England have equalised! It’s Gary Lineker!’
Rising expectation, clearly articulated.
7) Michael Owen – Germany v England, 2001, World Cup qualifier
MOTSON: ‘Oh… Owen’s through again here! What a chance for the hat-trick! Owen… Oh! This is getting better and better and better! One-two-three from Michael Owen, England lead 4-1 in Germany… (pauses) Pinch yourself, please.’
The perfect final pay-off for a special moment.
He also produced the perfect final pay-off for a special moment when Michael Owen fired home a hat-trick against Germany in 2001
8) David Beckham – England v Greece, 2001, World Cup qualifier
MOTSON: ‘Everybody, bar the Greece supporters, are praying for a goal. Beckham to take it… The 93rd minute at Old Trafford… BeckHAM! Yes! Yes! He’s done it! Fantastic! It’s 2-2!’
His voice soared just like Beckham’s shot.
9) Ronaldinho – England v Brazil, 2002 World Cup quarter-final
MOTSON: ‘Oh! And he’s scored! Ronaldinho! Direct from the free-kick! Ronaldinho has made it 2-1 to Brazil! And everyone was watching those in the penalty area — and maybe Seaman was, too!’
He captured every England fan’s disbelief.
10) Steven Gerrard – Liverpool v West Ham, 2006 FA Cup final
MOTSON: ‘I hope you have enjoyed this as much at home as we have here… and it’s not over yet. Phil Dowd has put his board up… Riise’s cross… GERRARD! He’s done it! And what a way to do it! It’s surely the best Cup final of modern times!’
As always, he had the delivery for the occasion. Thanks for the memories, Motty.
His commentary of Steven Gerrard’s winner in the 2006 FA Cup final was ‘Motty’ at his best