Motson To Retire At End Of Season

John Motson Chatting To Colin Addison - Picture taken by Andy Compton For BN

John Motson who commented on Hereford United's world famous FA Cup win over Newcastle United in 1972 is to retire at the end of the season.

A BBC article looks back at how he became noticed.

Motson With Ronnie Radford

"Radford again. OH WHAT A GOAL! What a goal! Radford the scorer" - The blistering strike from non-league Hereford's Ronnie Radford that helped put Newcastle out of the FA Cup in 1972 and placed Motson on the map as a commentator.

The son of a Methodist minister, Motson joined the BBC in 1968, following stints as a reporter on the Barnet Press and Sheffield Morning Telegraph.

After starting out as a sports reporter on Radio 2, he made his breakthrough on Match of the Day during the famous FA Cup replay between Hereford and Newcastle four years later.

Originally billed as a five-minute segment, Hereford's shock 2-1 win - thanks to Ronnie Radford's 30-yard strike - saw the match promoted to the main game, with Motson capturing all the drama.

Speaking to the BBC, Motson said that if Ronnie Radford's goal hadn't gone in the Newcastle net, he wouldn't have got to where he is. 

 

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