John Motson has donned his sheepskin for the last time this weekend.
The 72-year-old delivered his final live BBC commentary this Sunday afternoon, when Arsenal claimed victory over Watford 3-0.
The legendary commentator, affectionately known as ‘Motty’, has covered 10 World Cups, 10 European Championships, 29 FA Cup finals and more than 200 England games during a career that spans an incredible 50 years.
Motson announced back in September that he would be ending his BBC career at the end of the season, 48 years after his first broadcast.
However, Motty fans need not weep just yet –as Motson will continue to appear on Match of the Day until the end of the current league campaign.
An overwhelmingly adored figure in commentating history, Motty and his sheepskin coat will certainly be missed. And if tweets from fans have anything to say about it, it seems that lovers of the beautiful game may never get over it.
John Motson!!! End of an Era …..Original Fifa players know him!!
— Metatron (@HempstoneAmizi) March 11, 2018
One of the main reasons why I got interested in commentary was down to John Motson. He signed off his career today – thank you for inspiring me, you absolute legend https://t.co/bakfvycptu
— Adam Payne (@AdamPayne09) March 11, 2018
Love his commentaries. Love that his last live commentary was at The Arsenal. Almost (but not quite) a shame I was at the match not listening at home #Motty #JohnMotson https://t.co/EzABilOxDi
— Tara Benson (@tarabluesky) March 11, 2018
https://twitter.com/GauravZeeshan/status/972865662908592129
https://twitter.com/westie_crafter/status/972865462039187456
Gonna miss John Motson, name someone who can say “would you believe it” better.
— Noble (@JamesNoble96) March 11, 2018
https://twitter.com/WCooper96/status/972861275263897600
Living legend, man like Motty.#johnMotson https://t.co/6cupbqL7rW
— MJJeremiah (@Nelsonrow80) March 11, 2018
Speaking about his impending retirement, Motty said in September: “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.
“I wanted to use this 50th anniversary to say thank you to all the viewers and everyone at the BBC who has supported me through the years.”
He was named the nation’s favourite commentator by sports fans in a BBC poll in 2001, the same year that he received an OBE for services to sports broadcasting.
Fans will be desperately sad to see him, and his iconic sheepskin coat, go.
