Stars of the football world were pictured arriving to the funeral of John Motson on Friday following the much-loved commentator’s death aged 77 last month.
Motson, who became synonymous with English football during his 50-year career with the BBC, died ‘peacefully in his sleep’ on February 23, according to a family statement.
His funeral took place at the Crownhill Crematorium in Milton Keynes, where dozens of people were seen watching from outside after the venue reached full capacity.
Ray Stubbs, Bob Wilson and Mark Lawrenson were among the former football players seen arriving to pay their respects.
They were joined by ex-Arsenal defender Martin Keown and former Manchester United striker Garth Crooks – both of whom now work as pundits.
Mark Lawrenson (left), Bob Wilson and Ray Stubbs (right) arrives ahead of a funeral service for sport commentator John Motson at Crownhill Crematorium, Milton Keynes
Martin Keown arrives ahead of a funeral service for sport commentator John Motson at Crownhill Crematorium, Milton Keynes
John Motson (pictured), who was synonymous for his iconic commentaries and sheepskin coat, died on February 23 aged 77
Sky News sports commentator Martin Tylor, ex-England international Sir Trevor Brooking and former FIFA boss Brian Barwick were also among the mourners.
‘Motty’, who began working for Match of the Day in 1971 and commentated on more than 2,500 games, was hugely popular with generations of football fans and was famous for his sheepskin coat.
Winning an OBE in 2001 for his services to broadcasting, Motson retired from his role at the BBC in 2018.
Motson was married to wife Anne – with the pair having tied the knot in 1977. They have one son together called Fred, who was born in 1986.
He left the BBC at the end of the 2017/18 season – with a final match between Crystal Palace and West Brom – but months later he was returning from retirement to work for TalkSport.
Motson began work on the BBC Radio 2 sports desk in 1968 and entered football folklore as he described Ronnie Radford’s famous long-range strike for non-league Hereford against top-flight Newcastle in 1972, his very first TV commentary.
Motty said the moment transformed his career and he would become friends with Radford, who died in November. He also became close to Ricky George, who scored Hereford’s winner in arguably the greatest giant killing in British football history.
His next big football break came in the year he married Anne, when he was drafted in as a late replacement for star commentator David Coleman and covered his first FA Cup final in 1977.
Coleman was in dispute with the BBC over his contract and Motty took the plaudits when Manchester United beat Liverpool 2-1 – with all the goals coming in the space of five minutes early in the second half.
A general view of a floral wreath of the Tottenham Hotspur badge ahead of a funeral service for sport commentator John Motson at Crownhill Crematorium, Milton Keynes
Sky News sports commentator Martin Tyler arrives ahead of a funeral service for sport commentator John Motson at Crownhill Crematorium, Milton Keynes
The coffin of John Motson is carried into Crownhill Crematorium, Milton Keynes ahead of a funeral service
Anne Motson, wife of John Motson, (right), arrives for the funeral of her late husband in Milton Keynes on Friday
Bob Wilson (centre) arrives ahead of a funeral service for sport commentator John Motson at Crownhill Crematorium, Milton Keynes
Garth Crooks (left) arrives ahead of a funeral service for sport commentator John Motson at Crownhill Crematorium, Milton Keynes
Sports commentator Angus Loughran is seen heading into the funeral service of John Motson
Former CEO of FIFA Brian Barwick arrives to the funeral of John Motson on Friday
Sir Trevor Brooking, a former England player, arrives to the Crownhill Crematorium to say his final goodbyes to John Motson following his death last month
Mark Lawrenson (left), Ray Stubbs and Garth Crooks (right) arrive ahead of a funeral service for sport commentator John Motson
Mark Lawrenson (centre) and Ray Stubbs arrive ahead of a funeral service for sport commentator John Motson
Bob Wilson (left) and Sir Trevor Brooking exchange words ahead of the service for John Motson’s funeral on Friday
Martin Keown (left) and Bob Wilson (centre) catch up outside the crematorium in Milton Keynes before paying their final respects to John Motson
Bob Wilson (right) arrives ahead of a funeral service for sport commentator John Motson at Crownhill Crematorium, Milton Keynes
Motson had stints as a reporter on the Barnet Press and Sheffield Morning Telegraph at the start of his career.
When he retired from TV commentary five years ago, he would admit to being a Barnet fan after his local paper days.
Motty also had an affinity for Ipswich Town, having gone to boarding school in Suffolk. He commentated on the team’s famous 1981 Uefa Cup victory.
‘Motty’ as he was affectionally known, joined the BBC on a full-time basis as a sports presenter on Radio 2 in 1968 – having been at BBC Radio Sheffield beforehand.
In the wake of his death last month, clubs and governing bodies up and down the country felt compelled to mark the passing of such an iconic figure in football.
Mark Bright (centre) and Martin Keown appear sombre as the coffin of John Motson is carried into the crematorium on Friday
The coffin of John Motson is carried into Crownhill Crematorium ahead of his funeral on Friday
Guests observe the service from outside the main building, which had reached capacity during a funeral service for sport commentator John Motson
Motson pictured with his wife Anne – the pair had been married since 1977 and have one child
Motson at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico during the opening ceremony of the 1986 World Cup
Tottenham Hotspur, recalling Motson’s coverage Ricky Villa’s iconic goal in the 1981 FA Cup Final between Spurs and Manchester City, tweeted: ‘We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of John Motson. He called one of the most iconic goals in our history, and many more. There will never be another like Motty.’
Meanwhile, Manchester City tweeted: ‘Everyone at Manchester City is deeply saddened by the passing of legendary commentator, John Motson. With a career lasting more than 50 years, his voice was synonymous with football and our thoughts are with Motty’s family and friends during this difficult time.
Liverpool described Motson as an ‘iconic voice of the game’ in their tribute, while local rivals Everton labelled him ‘a broadcasting legend’, admitting he will ‘be sorely missed’.
And Chelsea also joined the tributes, writing: ‘A truly iconic voice of the game and a friend of Chelsea. Our thoughts go out to John’s family and loved ones at this incredibly sad time. RIP John Motson, OBE’.
The BBC, his home for several decades, tweeted: ‘Rest in peace, John Motson. The legendary commentator, who had an illustrious 50-year career with the BBC, has died aged 77.’
Meanwhile, the FA wrote: ‘We are very sad to hear that John Motson has passed away. His iconic voice will always be synonymous with football. Our thoughts are with his family and friends. RIP, Motty.’
Commentators were also quick to show how much Motson had inspired them in emotional tributes on Twitter.
BT Sport commentator Darren Fletcher wrote: ‘This is such sad news – an iconic commentator with his own distinctive and brilliant style. The soundtrack to my youth watching football. RIP Motty.’
Ian Darke, another commentator for BT Sport, said: ‘Very sad to hear of the passing of John Motson.
‘Probably the most famous football commentator of them all. Meticulously researched and retaining boyish enthusiasm and love of the game over half a century of the biggest games, he set the gold standard.’
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