LEGENDARY football commentator John Motson spent his final night watching a football match and enjoying a pint at his local pub, the landlords have revealed.
Motson – who passed away at the age of 77 on Thursday – was at The George in Little Brickhill, Milton Keynes, watching Manchester City’s Champions League clash with RB Leipzig on Wednesday night.
He had become a regular at the village pub when he moved to Buckinghamshire and established a close friendship with landlords Simon and Louise Babikian.
And Mrs Babikian has revealed that he spent his final evening enjoying the football with his friends.
She told the BBC: “Wednesday evening, the night before he passed, he came into the pub to watch his football match and sat with his mates having a beer and talking us through the game, as he would most evenings.
“He seemed to really enjoy himself.”
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Mr Babikian, who watched the match with Motson, added: “He was a true gentleman, a true friend to many people in the village.
“He always had something very diplomatic to say about the game. He was very unbiased and just a true fan of the game and most sports.
“My memory will be him saying goodnight, how he’d see us at the weekend and he might come in the day after for the United game. He just loved every team and everybody.”
Mr and Mrs Babikian also told of how many of the local villagers came to the pub after Motson’s death was announced, adding: “I think this was his special place.
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“But what is quite funny, is many different people from different generations might not recognise him until he spoke.
“Once he spoke, he had such an iconic voice and was so pleased to meet people that recognised what he’s done for the world of broadcasting.”
Motson, who was also known as Motty, commentated on more than 2000 matches on TV and radio throughout his incredible career, including 29 FA Cup finals, 10 World Cups and 10 European Championships.
And the news of his death sent shockwaves across the football community.
Some of the sport’s biggest names were quick to pay tribute to ‘the voice of football’.
Gary Lineker tweeted: “Deeply saddened to hear that John Motson has died.
“A quite brilliant commentator and the voice of football in this country for generations. He’ll be very much missed. RIP Motty.”
Sky Sports commentator Martin Tyler said: “John was the standard-setter for us all.
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“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.”
And Clive Tyldesley wrote: “As a teenager I just wanted to be John Motson. Nobody else.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
