FOOTBALL stars mourned John Motson as the legendary commentator was laid to rest at his funeral today.
The BBC pundit and iconic voice of football died aged 77 last month leaving the world of sport reeling.
Motson, who was affectionately known as Motty, celebrated 50 years at the BBC in 2018 before hanging up his mic in May that year.
The legendary commentator covered more than 2,000 games, including 29 FA Cup Finals, and covering ten World Cups and ten Euros.
Friends, families and stars all turned up in memory of Motty at the Crownhill Crematorium in Milton Keynes today.
Former footballers and broadcasters Mark Lawrenson, Sir Trevor Brooking, Bob Wilson and Ray Stubbs were pictured at the funeral.
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While pundits Garth Crooks and Martin Keown were also seen arriving to pay their respects to Motty.
And legendary Sky Sports commentator Martin Tyler was also spotted making an appearance as well as broadcasting stalwart Jim Rosenthal.
MK Dons chairman Pete Winkelman and former CEO of FIFA Brian Barwick also attended to salute the commentary legend as he was laid to rest.
Tottenham Hotspur FC left a wreath of flowers in the club’s crest with a card describing Motty as “a true gentleman” and “great loss to the footballing world”.
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The service at Crownhill Crematorium in Milton Keynes, Bucks kicked off at 11.30am with hundreds of mourners queuing to get inside Oak Chapel.
Others spilled out listening on speakers as Motty’s son Fred said: “Everyone knew John Motson as Motty but of course to me he was just dad,” adding: “I’ll miss my best mate”.
He remembered helping fill up his Ford Sierra at the local petrol station every Friday ahead of the weekend’s match – before pinching mint imperials from the hotel next door.
And a vivid memory of decapitating his mum Anne’s ornament while playing hallway football with his dad versus ex-England and Leeds manager Howard Wilkinson and his son.
The service was followed by a private wake held at Stadium MK, where he regularly watched MK Dons with wife Anne.
Motson was famed for his signature coat as he became the voice of football for countless generations.
He was born in Salford and began his journalistic career in Barnet – the team he supports on the Barnet Press.
He worked as a reporter between 1963 and 1967 before being hired for BBC Radio 2.
His first radio commentary was an Everton v Derby clash in December 1969.
Three years later, Motson became a household name thanks to his work on Match of the Day.
His breakthrough came during Hereford’s shock 2-1 win against Newcastle in the 1972 FA Cup replay.
Motson was only meant to cover the match for a five-minute segment but Ronnie Radford’s famous 30-yard strike meant the clash was promoted to the main game.
He famously remarked on the game: “Oh what a goal! Radford the scorer. Ronnie Radford! And the crowd are on the pitch. What a tremendous shot by Ronnie Radford.”
It helped propel his career even further – with Motson going on to voice major FA Cup, European Championships and World Cup finals.
Motson’s last day at the BBC came at Crystal Palace’s 2-0 home win against West Brom in 2018. Palace’s then-boss Roy Hodgson presented him with a framed copy of the programmes from his first and last matches.
He later came out of retirement to join talkSPORT.
Motson lived in Hertfordshire with his wife Anne, who he married in 1977.
They have one son together called Fred, who was born in 1986.
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A huge factor in his success was Anne, who kept a log detailing all his games.
Motson said: “My research is based mainly on my wife’s wonderful record book which she keeps dutifully and diligently every day of the season with all the teams, matches, appearances, goalscorers, newspaper cuttings, you name it.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
