‘He helped kickstart my career in sports journalism’
John Motson helped kickstart my career in sports journalism. Aged 15, I was the runner-up in a Radio Times competition to write a 200-word match report on the 1983 FA Cup final between Brighton and Manchester United – the famous “And Smith must score” final. My prize was Motty’s signed notes board, which remains one of my proudest possessions. It’s a bit battered now – I was reluctant to frame it as there are notes on both sides – and will always show it to students when I give talks to students. I became one of the UK’s first female sports editors at the age of 19. Teresa Green
‘He very kindly ordered me a glass of champagne’
I was working at the Telegraph as a subeditor on the sports desk in the early noughties and rocked up at the sports Christmas party. These were hosted with great panache by the sports editor, the late David Welch. I should say that while I’m fairly solid on rugby and cricket, football was a grey area. I approached the bar at the same time as a silver-haired chap. “So,” I asked as my conversation icebreaker. “Why are you here? Do you know anything about sport?”. His eye may have twinkled but he deadpanned: “No, nothing at all. I just know the editor.” John Motson then very kindly ordered me a glass of champagne and I would never have known the scale of my ignorance if he hadn’t later stood up to give the after-dinner speech. I still cringe about it to this day. Janette
‘I overheard him and thought: I know that voice’
In June 2018, I went on the train from Oxford to London for some business meetings. I got out at Marylebone Station and was walking through the Landmark Hotel, when I heard a voice. I thought: I’m sure I know that voice. Then it struck me. Gosh, it’s John Motson! He was on the phone nearby and, of course, it was his voice that gave him away. I hung around until he finished his call, then asked if I could have his autograph. He very kindly obliged. As he was writing, I asked him if he had ever commentated on York City. Without missing a beat, he replied: “FA Cup fourth round, 1985, York City 1 Arsenal 0. Keith Houchen penalty in the 90th minute”. I said: “Oh my goodness, I was there.” He beamed and said: “Oh my goodness, so was I.” Stuart Newstead
‘He was engaging, warm and wanted to know all about me’
I interviewed Motty for the Bucks Free Press in 1993. If he was thinking he had better things to do, he didn’t show it. He was engaging, warm and wanted to know all about me and how Wycombe Wanderers were doing. At the end he gave me his mobile number with the invitation to call any time if I needed anything. About two years later he was back in touch to say his number had changed in case I needed to get hold of him. What a thoroughly genuine and nice man he was. Gary Lawrence
‘He was a top gentleman, my inspiration’
Photograph: Neal Simpson/Empics Sport
In 1993, when I was 22, I wanted to be a football commentator or reporter. With no idea how to do it I sent a letter addressed to “John Motson, BBC, London” and simply asked: “What do I have to do?” He didn’t write back, he phoned me instead! He phoned my place of work but I was taking some time off as I was going through tragic circumstances at the time – we had lost a baby a week earlier and I was taking time off. So then he did write, offered his condolences, gave me his home phone number and told me to call him, but only when I was ready. After a week of trying to pluck up courage, I called him. We were on the phone for over an hour. He spent a long time consoling and making sure I was OK before even starting to talk about journalism. He told me how he started, answered all my questions and gave me good advice. From there I did a bit of reporting experience with local radio, then got a freelance gig with BBC Wales that lasted for more than 15 years on radio and TV. I went on to do other radio, written and video work in football, not to mention getting a sports journalism degree. I owe a lot of people a lot of gratitude but there’s definitely one man who put me on the path. Not only his guidance and his advice but also his kindness and warmth at the very start when I was at my lowest. I met him in the press room at Birmingham City in 2010, 17 years after that first letter. He remembered me, of course he did! Top gentleman, my inspiration. Ian
‘He was a lovely chap’
I met him in passing a couple of times and he was a lovely chap – his enthusiasm! Even at the football show where I met him, he was as excited to see George Best as we were and I’m sure they had met countless times. There are so many memories: Ronnie Radford, standing in the snow, Hillsborough, the Crazy Gang. My youth was soundtracked by John Motson, Brian Moore and Barry Davies, and I’m genuinely a bit teared up writing this. Next time I’m at my dad’s, I’m finally claiming that sheepskin coat in his wardrobe that I’ve only seen him wear once in 40 years. Antony Tamworth
‘I went to school with Motty’
I went to school with Motty, who was in the year below mine. He was a fully committed Chelsea supporter and began his career selling his fanzine outside Stamford Bridge in the early 1960s, for sixpence I believe. I’m a Liverpool supporter and we went to a cup tie at Anfield together. Liverpool were still in the old Second Division, Chelsea in the first. The fog came down thick in the second half, but we could just discern goals by Ian St John and Roger Hunt; Liverpool won 4-3. In the train back from Lime Street to Euston, we came across Raymond Glendenning swaying a little on a stool in the buffet car. He kindly autographed our match programmes, unsuspecting that he had encountered one of his illustrious successors. Howard Davies
‘He was the loveliest, warmest, most gracious person’
I used to do hospital radio and, for the 25th anniversary of Coventry City beating Tottenham in the FA Cup final, I put together a special programme to celebrate it. I interviewed Motty over the phone and he was the loveliest, warmest, most gracious person. He spoke about how the 1987 FA Cup final was one of the greatest, in his opinion. He also sent his best wishes to all the patients. Tara
‘He was helpful, enthusiastic and professional’
I spent a morning with John in 1990, recording some radio commercials. He was wonderful to work with: helpful, enthusiastic and professional. I then asked him what he was doing that afternoon. “Well, I’ve been learning Italian for the last three months, so I’m going to pop over to Notting Hill, buy an Italian newspaper to see what they are saying about the World Cup, take some notes and enjoy an Italian coffee.” Two days later he was on a plane to Italia 90. I think this summed up the man – dedicated to his craft, always looking for another angle and passionate about the game. RIP, Motty. Don
‘He really knew his stuff’
I had to interview Motty for a 2006 World Cup guide I was working on as a journalist. I asked him for his prediction of who would win the tournament. He picked unfancied Italy – and was proved right. He was lovely to talk to and he really knew his stuff. Robin Jarossi
‘The level of preparation was inspirational’
I grew up near Liverpool. One midweek night I was in the Empire Hotel with my mother and Motson was in the bar sitting next to us as we ate. He was talking to himself, practising the names of all the players from the European team (maybe St Étienne). He did this for 30 minutes or more, then ran through some scripted plays of the game, finished his coke and left. It was really inspirational to me at the time. I assumed commentators just turned up and talked, but the level of preparation I saw was impressive. Great memory. David Morgan
‘John Motson said my name live on BBC1. Twice!’
The 2003 FA Cup semi-final against Sheffield United was a memorable day for Arsenal fans and, in particular, David Seaman. The one where “safe hands” scooped off one of the greatest saves in football history. But to me, it will always be the day John Motson said my name live on BBC1. Twice. I was the mascot that day for Arsenal: 11 years old with a toothy grin and a red, Brylcreemed, Freddie Ljungberg-style mohican. It wasn’t standard for Motson to have a chat with a mascot and his giddy dad before the game in the tunnel – asking where I was from, how old I was, who my favourite players were – but then it wasn’t standard for the opposition’s mascot to be Neil Warnock’s daughter. A classic bit of democratic Motty due diligence was at play. Fast forward to the teams walking out the tunnel, Seaman patting my heavily gelled hair and me absorbing the noise of 70,000 fans at Old Trafford. After all of this excitement I was told something had happened on TV. There were texts from my nans and aunts. They saw me! And he had said my name! John Motson said my name! “The Arsenal mascot is 11-year-old Jake Missing, a Junior Gunner from north London...” He didn’t have to do it but he did. Without knowing the man, I would guess that thoroughness, fairness and kindness were things that came naturally to him. And as I write this 20 years later, I can say that he made an already-special day completely unforgettable. Cheers John Motson, I’ll certainly never forget you. Jake
‘He was charming, friendly and easy-going’
In 2013 I was working for a company in Surrey that had hired John Motson for some voiceover work. I heard him speaking in an adjoining room as I entered the office and his distinctive voice was instantly unmistakable. It was a slightly surreal moment. He leapt up from the sofa to shake my hand, even though I was just an ordinary staff member. What a gentleman. He was charming, friendly, easy-going and interested in everything and everyone. It was an absolute pleasure to have been fortunate enough to meet him. Steve
‘He talked a good game, both on and off the pitch’
John Motson was a humble fella, with no frills, who was happy in any football scenario, however bizarre or ridiculous. I worked for the BBC in 1975, when I entered our department in an inter-departmental football competition. We were drawn to play Radio Sport on the Saturday but there was torrential rain in London. The game was called off but we managed to find a pitch to play on Sunday. Alan Parry, Motty’s great broadcasting friend, agreed to send his side over the river without hesitation. The rain continued unabated all weekend but we played on a mudflap of a pitch. Motty was at the fore, carrying out the crossbars with the rest of us. The nine men of Radio Sport beat the eight men of my team in the worst possible conditions in the only game played in London that day. Motty the enthusiast to the last. He talked a good game, both on and off the pitch! Phil Marchant
