This week the British footballing world is paying tribute to the living footballing institution that is John “Motty” Motson, who celebrates 40 years of commentating on the BBC and on Match Of The Day – the Beeb’s flagship Saturday night round-up show.
Adored by UK footy fans for his “boy next door” match commentary style and, at times, his inappropriate mis-use of vocabulary, he is also known for his trademark sheepskin coat that he wears to matches during the nippy UK winter months.
A few years ago, he revealed in his biography that he had in fact bought seven identical sheepskin coats in the early 70’s from a man in Hornchurch, East London.
He was hoping that they would last him throughout his working career.
We wonder which number coat he’s on at present – as his career is still going as strong as ever?
Motty is also probably the only football commentator to ever use the “C” word on the Beeb – and got away with it.
And we don’t mean “cock”.
He are our 10 favourite Motty Moments and commentating gaffs from over this years:
“Brazil – they’re so good it’s like they are running round the pitch playing with themselves”
“Bruce has got the taste of Wembley in his nostrils”
“For those of you watching in black and white, Spurs are in the all yellow strip”
“I think this could be our best victory over Germany since the war”
“So different from the scenes in 1872, at the cup final none of us can remember”
“The referee is wearing the same yellow-coloured top as the Slovakian goalkeeper. I’d have thought the Uefa official would have spotted that – but perhaps he’s been deafened by the noise of this crowd.”
“In a sense it’s a one-man show… except that there are two men involved, Hartson and Berkovic, and a third man, the goalkeeper.”
“Nearly all the Brazilian supporters are wearing yellow shirts – it’s a fabulous kaleidoscope of colour”
“Hold on to your cups and glasses…you can smash them now, David Beckham has scored!”
“And Seaman, just like a falling oak, manages to change direction”
References: Talkfootball.co.uk / Mirrorfootball.co.uk
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