Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
After 50yrs, 10 World Cups and 200 England games, Motty hangs up his sheepskin coat
Veteran commentator to retire
LEGENDARY commentator John Motson is to retire after half a century as the voice of English football.
The much-loved Match of the Day star is hanging up his iconic sheepskin coat after entertaining fans through 10 World Cups and more than 200 England matches.
And he will finish his final season – his 50th with the BBC – in true sporting style by embarking on his own victory lap.
He will tour the country working on 18 games for Match of the Day before bringing down the curtain at the FA Cup final.
Motty, 72, said: “I’ve been fortunate enough to witness some of the biggest moments in football history mere yards away from the action. But I wanted to go out on a high rather than stay too long.
“I didn’t want to get to the stage where people say, ‘Oh blimey, Motty’s lost it, he’s getting the players wrong and his voice is going’. This feels like the right time.”
The dad-of-one’s health is a major factor in his decision. After a run of 10 World Cups he was forced to miss Brazil in 2014 as he recovered from a major operation to treat life-threatening bowel cancer.
SURGERY
Bobby Moore’s widow Stephanie had helped him to find treatment. She set up a memorial fund for Cancer Research UK after the World Cup-winning England captain died of the disease in 1993.
Motty said: “Stephanie helped me find the right surgeon and I’m eternally grateful.
“That’s one of my things now, trying to support the Bobby Moore Fund. I would like to be able to say to other people who have it – you can win this battle. I want them to have the chance Bobby never had. He was such a great man and a huge loss to us all.”
The star’s famous sheepskin coat has already been semi-retired. He had a new one made especially for his final season, but he admits his old favourite could make an appearance from the substitute’s bench.
He explained: “I’ll be keeping it safe, because you never know when you’ll want to make a charitable donation.”
Motty joined the Beeb in 1968 and got his big break in 1972 covering Hereford’s shock 2-1 FA Cup win over Newcastle. His career included many more memorable moments –like being invited back to Johan Cruyff ’s room to talk football at the 1974 World Cup.
But he has one regret. He said: “I’ve never seen England in a major final. I’ve watched us go out on penalties so often. I really thought we’d make it at Euro 96, especially after Gazza’s goal against Scotland.”