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John Motson bids farewell: Memorable quotes from the legendary football commentator
John Motson signed off from his 50-year career behind a microphone with a BAFTA award and an on-pitch presentation by Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson.
Motson received a Special Award in recognition of his outstanding contribution to sports broadcasting at the 2018 British Academy Television Awards.
Four hours earlier, the 72-year-old was given a framed programme and a microphone trophy by Hodgson after finishing his final match, in which Palace beat relegated West Brom 2-0.
🎙️ John Motson's emotional day ends with a gong at the #BAFTAS
— Sporting Life Football (@SportingLifeFC) May 13, 2018
🎙️ 50 years at the BBC
🏆 10 World Cups & 6 finals
🏆 10 Euros
🏴 200 England games
⚽️ 2500+ club games
🏆 29 FA Cup finals
🐑 Sheepskin ambassador
🗣️ 100s of great stats#JohnMotson #ThanksMotty pic.twitter.com/3NAV783zbE
After receiving his BAFTA from comedian John Bishop, Motson said: "As everybody knows the commentator is only the voice at the end of a very professional and sometimes complicated process.
"So I'm dedicating this to the BBC sports department where I've worked for 50 years and been so grateful to have so much professional support behind me.
"To BAFTA, thank you very much, and I never saw this coming."
Scroll down for his memorable commentary moments
Motson's career was hailed by a number of prominent football media figures, including BBC Breakfast and Football Focus presenter Dan Walker, who tweeted: "We will miss John Motson. His voice will always be ringing in our ears."
Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker simply tweeted: "Well played Motty, well played."
Motson's final match looked destined to finish goalless until Wilfried Zaha opened the scoring in the 70th minute, with Patrick van Aanholt adding a second to seal an ultimately convincing win.
In the course of his incredible career with the BBC, Motson provided commentary for 29 FA Cup finals and six World Cup finals.
Motson's career in commentary will be recognised in a special 'Motty Night' of programming on BBC Two on May 19, just after the FA Cup final has finished.
He insists he has not thought too deeply about what the next challenge might be, just said: "The voice is still working, it's still strong, so if there is a way I could use it or someone could come up with a route I could go down, I suppose I would have to think about it."
- 'Motty Night', a special night of programming dedicated to John Motson, airs May 19 on BBC Two.
- SCROLL DOWN FOR HIS FINEST QUOTES
Motson's finest quotes
"Now Tudor has gone down for Newcastle. Radford again.... what a goal! What a goal! Radford the scorer - Ronnie Radford. The crowd are invading the pitch."
In one of Motson's first Match of the Day commentaries Ronnie Radford scores with a thunderbolt as Hereford equalise in their FA Cup third-round replay against top-flight Newcastle at Edgar Street. The non-league hosts went on to win the match in extra-time, and Motson has identified the game as a turning point in his broadcasting career.
"Maradona. Going at them again. Brilliant run, fantastic goal! Unbelievable!"
Days after scoring one of the all-time great World Cup goals to knock England out of Mexico '86, Diego Maradona was at it again with another incredible individual effort to take Argentina past Belgium and on to the final, which they won.
"The Crazy Gang has beaten the Culture Club."
Wimbledon upset all the odds to beat a star-studded Liverpool in the 1988 FA Cup final.
"This is almost fantasy football."
Motson captures the mood on an incredible night for Norwich, as a Jeremy Goss volley sets them on the way to a 2-1 win over the mighty Bayern Munich in the UEFA Cup in October 1993.
"Here's Gascoigne. Oh brilliant! Oh yes! Oh yes!"
Paul Gascoigne's finest moment in an England shirt as he flicked the ball over Scotland's Colin Hendry and fired home to give his team a 2-0 lead in the sides' Euro 96 group stage match.
"This is getting better and better and better."
England fell behind but amazingly recovered to beat Germany 5-1 in a World Cup qualifier in Munich in 2001.
"Hold the cups and glasses at home. You can smash them now! David Beckham has scored for England!"
Four years after being sent off against Argentina as England crashed out of the 1998 World Cup, David Beckham's penalty steered the Three Lions past the same opponents in the group stage at the 2002 finals.
