Beeb’s Motty blows full time in final live football commentary
A young Motty commentating on Match Of The Day in 1971 could support so many people who could not watch the game on television.”
During a phone-in show on BBC Radio 5 Live last week, a caller put to Motson that his best commentaries were of Italy’s famous 3-2 win over Brazil in the 1982 World Cup, Northern Ireland’s victory over Spain during the same tournament and France’s last-minute win over Portugal in the 1984 European Championships.
Motson said: “He has picked three great games there.
“I couldn’t have done better if I was asked to pick my top three. I might have included Germany 1 England 5.
“Certain games you do stick in the memory. Those World Cups, European Championships and FA Cup finals, I was lucky to be there.”
He also admitted he only has one sheepskin coat left.
He said: “I have always had them made to measure. I didn’t set out to make the sheepskin coat anything special but it just happened when I was at Wycombe in 1990 and the snow came down. I look forlorn and it just stuck from then on.”
THE grEaTEsT MOTTYIsMs
“The World Cup is a truly international event.” “It’s Arsenal 0 Everton 1, and the longer it stays like that, the more you’ve got to fancy Everton.” “For those of you watching in black and white, Spurs are in the all-yellow strip.” “The Crazy Gang have beaten the Culture Club” – Unfancied Wimbledon beat Liverpool in the 1988 FA Cup Final. “You can still buy tickets for knockout games off the internet. That’s if you know how to. I certainly don’t.” “Middlesbrough are withdrawing Maccarone the Italian, Nemeth the Slovakian and Stockdale the right-back.” “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.” “It’s delirious! It’s delightful! It’s Denmark.” “If David Beckham claims that goal, it will be only the second goal he has scored for England... well, no, it won’t be. It’ll be the fourth or fifth free kick, I think...”