A look back at John Motson’s cherished West Ham memories and legacy as the legendary commentator passes away aged 77.
Legendary commentator Motson, who had an illustrious 50-year career with the BBC, has died aged 77 it was announced on Thursday.
Motson covered 10 World Cups, 10 European Championships and 29 FA Cup finals and countless big West Ham matches for BBC Sport before retiring from the organisation in 2018.
Popularly known as ‘Motty’, he had worked on Match of the Day since 1971.
“It is with great sadness we announce that John Motson OBE died peacefully in his sleep today (Thursday),” said a statement from Motson’s family (BBC Sport).
John Motson’s cherished West Ham memories as legendary commentator passes away aged 77
He may not have been a West Ham fan – Motson supported Barnet – but his legacy with the Hammers goes back a long way.
We look back at Motson’s cherished West Ham memories as the legendary commentator passes away aged 77.
“In 1980 I was still in my early years as an FA Cup final commentator for the BBC…” Motson told West Ham’s website back in 2020.
“When West Ham had reached the FA Cup final five years earlier, against Fulham in 1975, I had been a pitchside reporter, so I was a lot closer to what goes on behind the scenes on cup final day.
“That day West Ham had been the favourites in a London derby, but in 1980 the roles were reversed against an Arsenal side playing in their third consecutive final. There was a fantastic atmosphere inside Wembley and the searing heat – I think it was 100 degrees down on the pitch – only added to the intensity…
“There was a famous footnote to Trevor (Brooking) being the hero that day.
“On the eve of the match, Brian Clough had given one of his typically mischievous interviews, in which he paraphrased a Muhammed Ali quote to describe Trevor, saying: ‘He floats like a butterfly… and stings like one too’. Cloughie was a regular TV pundit in those days, very outspoken of course, and he kind of got under Trevor’s skin slightly I think.
“I’m not sure Trevor would say that is the reason he scored the goal, but he played ever so well that day and Cloughie was forced to eat humble pie. In future years, I was fortunate enough to share the BBC commentary box with Trevor Brooking on many occasions, and I can’t speak highly enough of the support he gave me…
“My FA Cup connection with West Ham actually goes back slightly further than 1980.
“My late father took me to many matches at Wembley but the first FA Cup final we went along to was in 1964, when the Hammers beat Preston 3-2. I clearly remember Ronnie Boyce’s winning goal in the dying minutes and the celebrations at the final whistle.
“I don’t know how my father had managed it, but we had seats right next to the steps, on the side that the players walked down after collecting their medals. And I will never forget that I managed to put my hand out and tap the back of Bobby Moore’s shirt as he carried the trophy back down to the pitch for the lap of honour. A fantastic moment to remember.”
RIP Motty, a true legend and gentleman of the sport. He will be sorely missed.
You can ready Motty’s full interview from 2020 on West Ham’s website.
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