Tributes are pouring in for legendary BBC football commentator, John Motson, who has passed away at the age of 77.
The Premier League is saddened to learn of the demise of the BBC Match of the Day commentator who was a British broadcasting legend of the game, whose iconic voice brought football to homes in the UK for more than 50 years across radio and television.
Motson had been a regular on the BBC’s highlights program Match of the Day since 1971 with his regular commentaries on the Premier League until his final match in May 2018 where Crystal Palace recorded their 2-0 win over West Bromwich Albion, and Motson himself received a commemoration from Palace manager Roy Hodgson for his services to commentary.
The legendary commentator with the distinctive voice was also the man behind the microphone at 10 FIFA World Cups, 10 UEFA European Championships and 29 FA Cup finals for the BBC and, for the multitude of football fans in the UK, had been singularly synonymous with many of the best moments of the game.
Motson was honored with an Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2001 for his services to sports broadcasting.
“It is with great sadness we announce that John Motson OBE died peacefully in his sleep today,” a statement from his family issued on Thursday said.