For my generation he is the voice of football commentary. Growing up in the 90s when I first fell in love with the game it was the voice of Saturday night if I was allowed to stay up and watch match of the day, hearing him yell “Cantona” or “Shearer” was iconic to me, and then we reached the prem hearing him say “Rufus” and “Kinsella” was the answer to all my prayers, the moment where I remember thinking wow Charlton are in the big time.
Since he started as a reporter in Sheffield and his very first match as a lad was at Charlton possibly we should ask the club for something before Saturdays Match?
In an era where the most popular commentators fall over themselves in exasperation and coat everything, even the dullest moments, in the most superficial hyperbole, taking football further and further away from its roots, your comforting voice and humble, measured style is very sorely missed.
Spent an entertaining evening listening to him when he was the guest at Bromley Addicks at Bickley and Widmore WMC. Must be getting on for 25 years ago now. A true gentleman. RIP
Got me this one. Motty was *the* voice of my childhood: I always knew when he was on comms, the MOTD highlights I was about to watch were for a decent game (theoretically!). I can hear him vividly when I choose to recall, nearly as well as I can picture The Valley in my mind's eye.
And I'm certain my feelings probably echo those of fans up and down the country, and that there will be LOADS of threads like this one on various forums, where a great variety of clubs will have their story about him, recalling him fondly. I'd like to think he was a little fonder of us than most other clubs - but then it might be a little unfair to speculate that about such an icon when he was generous to a fault about the game as a whole and every club around.
Sad sad news. As with many here my first understanding of football in the 70s came from him, Jimmy Hill and Brian Moore. He has joined them now in the Big Commentary box in the sky .RIP commentary genius.
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RIP Motty.
Won't lie. This one hurts a little bit more than the others we see on here.
RIP Motty.
And I'm certain my feelings probably echo those of fans up and down the country, and that there will be LOADS of threads like this one on various forums, where a great variety of clubs will have their story about him, recalling him fondly. I'd like to think he was a little fonder of us than most other clubs - but then it might be a little unfair to speculate that about such an icon when he was generous to a fault about the game as a whole and every club around.
RIP Motty.