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John Motson (not an RIP)

Motty calls it a day, a hell of a lot of my childhood football memories revolve around Match of the day and I'm sad to hear he's leaving the Beeb. A very knowledgeable commentator with a real passion for the game.

http://m.bbc.com/sport/football/41159991
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Comments

  • I was fortunate enough to interview Motty yesterday as part of this and what a genuinely nice bloke he is too. We ended up talking for far too long about sheepskin coats and THAT goal at Edgar Street in Feb 72 which he freely admits changed his life
  • Incidentally the first game Motty EVER saw was at The Valley - Charlton v Chelsea in April 1952 as he grew up in South East London although I think his team is Barnet
  • Lincsaddick
    Lincsaddick Posts: 32,348
    BBC 'talent' usually carries on until the grim reaper puts an end to their career .. but old Motty was a good un .. a walking, talking, grinning encyclopaedia of football trivia and a good commentator in his day .... I'll miss his short, sharp and relevant R5Live comments on the Friday and Monday 'club' nights
  • cafcdave123
    cafcdave123 Posts: 11,491
    I reckon he'll be doing the world cup for a different broadcaster for serious money.
  • I reckon he'll be doing the world cup for a different broadcaster for serious money.

    I really hope so, enough to keep him in sheepskin for the rest of his commentating days
  • And finally he told me he was at The Valley recently in connection to his sponsorship of Mark Marshall's shirt - he clearly has a lot of affection for us Addicks and why wouldn't he? I mean what's not to like
  • Riviera
    Riviera Posts: 8,167

    Incidentally the first game Motty EVER saw was at The Valley - Charlton v Chelsea in April 1952 as he grew up in South East London although I think his team is Barnet

    He's so obviously a Spurs fan.
  • JohnBoyUK
    JohnBoyUK Posts: 9,017
    Great commentator. Up there with Barry Davies for me. Best of their generation. The late Brian Moore was never as good as either of them.

    For me, when I think Motson, I think '81 cup final with Villa, '91 cup final with Gazza being stretched off...we wont mention '87 and Gary Mabbutt's left bloody knee!
  • DaveMehmet
    DaveMehmet Posts: 21,598
    I sat near him in the West Stand at a night game in the early 80's. Had a quick chat, seemed like a nice guy.
  • And finally he told me he was at The Valley recently in connection to his sponsorship of Mark Marshall's shirt - he clearly has a lot of affection for us Addicks and why wouldn't he? I mean what's not to like

    Think it was the place where he first went to, to watch football as a kid.
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  • clive
    clive Posts: 19,454
    His father, William was a preacher in Abbey Wood,he must have lived locally for a time.
    http://www.lesnesabbeymethodist.org.uk/history4.htm
  • JiMMy 85
    JiMMy 85 Posts: 10,193
    I've heard from a couple of sources that Motson is a great guy... if you're happy to talk about how great he is.
  • bobmunro
    bobmunro Posts: 20,843
    I had the pleasure of his company at the same table in a box at Cheltenham many moons ago. Motty is an absolute gentleman, modest to the core, and with a very dry wit. He likes to talk though!!

    As others have said, he has a deep affection for Charlton.
  • Riviera
    Riviera Posts: 8,167
    He loves a beer too!
  • golfaddick
    golfaddick Posts: 33,626
    just watched the interview on the BBC website..........5 sec section of Motty at the Valley with the East Stand scaffolding - no dialog but I'm assuming that was him reporting a day or two before our Homecoming in Dec '92.
  • just watched the interview on the BBC website..........5 sec section of Motty at the Valley with the East Stand scaffolding - no dialog but I'm assuming that was him reporting a day or two before our Homecoming in Dec '92.

    They had that on telly this morning - he was saying about how you always remember your first match.

    I heard about someone who played for a team and Motty was honorary President, he was hoping to get him in the next Quiz night as the ultimate ringer.

  • Covered End
    Covered End Posts: 51,995

    Incidentally the first game Motty EVER saw was at The Valley - Charlton v Chelsea in April 1952 as he grew up in South East London although I think his team is Barnet

    And finally he told me he was at The Valley recently in connection to his sponsorship of Mark Marshall's shirt - he clearly has a lot of affection for us Addicks and why wouldn't he? I mean what's not to like

    The sponsorship of ex-Barnet Mark Marshall ? :smile:
  • Covered End
    Covered End Posts: 51,995
    Christ on a bike, I remember Motty's MOTD debut :-(
  • bazjonster
    bazjonster Posts: 2,875
    JiMMy 85 said:

    I've heard from a couple of sources that Motson is a great guy... if you're happy to talk about how great he is.

    Can't beat a bit of 'hearsay'. Inadmissible in evidence though!!
  • I knew Motty quite well in the 80's and 90's through work. He had a CAFC TV game coming up and asked me for ten minutes to bring him up to speed about our squad members.
    I was made-up when he mentioned some of the bits we discussed in his live comm.
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  • JiMMy 85
    JiMMy 85 Posts: 10,193

    JiMMy 85 said:

    I've heard from a couple of sources that Motson is a great guy... if you're happy to talk about how great he is.

    Can't beat a bit of 'hearsay'. Inadmissible in evidence though!!
    Yeah I wouldn't take the stand on this one.... Although someone on Fighting Talk once did the subject of "Motty" as their Any Other Business, and made the same points!
  • I hope he gets one more classic match this season

    "And that's five for Brighton! Jubilant scenes from the away fans as Palace's relegation is surely sealed. Alan Pardew looks on, disconsolate from the dug out, what a torrid time he's had since he returned in January"
  • Probably a decent bloke but one of the worst commentators ever. No were near the level of Barry Davies, Hugh
    Johns or Gerald Sinstadt
  • cafcfan1990
    cafcfan1990 Posts: 12,811

    Probably a decent bloke but one of the worst commentators ever. No were near the level of Barry Davies, Hugh
    Johns or Gerald Sinstadt

    So because he's nowhere near their level he's one of the worst ever?

    Not his biggest fan by any stretch but labelling him one of the worst ever is very harsh!
  • JiMMy 85 said:

    I've heard from a couple of sources that Motson is a great guy... if you're happy to talk about how great he is.

    Better just to talk to him and make your own mind up Jimmy!
  • Probably a decent bloke but one of the worst commentators ever. No were near the level of Barry Davies, Hugh
    Johns or Gerald Sinstadt

    So because he's nowhere near their level he's one of the worst ever?

    Not his biggest fan by any stretch but labelling him one of the worst ever is very harsh!
    To be honest I could have added to this list, not a good commentator at all.
  • Talal
    Talal Posts: 11,485
    He was a great commentator. More recently it's been a bit cringeworthy listening to him (commentate) so the right thing to do.
  • Addickted
    Addickted Posts: 19,456
    Personally I think he's a lousy football commentator. He just seems to name the player on the ball and is always about two seconds behind the play.

    Still a legend though.
  • golfaddick
    golfaddick Posts: 33,626
    Addickted said:

    Personally I think he's a lousy football commentator. He just seems to name the player on the ball and is always about two seconds behind the play.

    Still a legend though.

    Better than Jackie Oatley.