John Motson, the legendary BBC football commentator, has died aged 77, the broadcaster has said.
Motson, popularly known as “Motty”, had an illustrious 50-year career with the BBC, working with the broadcaster’s flagship football highlight show, Match of the Day, since 1971.
According to the BBC, he commentated on over 2,500 televised games.
He became an OBE for services to sports broadcasting in 2001.
Born in Salford to a Methodist minister father, he began his career with stints on the Barnet Press and Sheffield Morning Telegraph.
He joined the BBC full-time in 1968, having worked at first as a freelancer for BBC Radio Sheffield.
During his career, Motson covered 10 World Cups, 10 European Championships and 29 FA Cup finals for BBC Sport.
