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John Motson spends his last night watching Man City’s 1-1 draw with RB Leipzig in a local pub with friends as the owners pay tribute to ‘our friend’ after the iconic veteran commentator passed away aged 77 on Thursday.
John Motson spent his last night at his local pub in Buckinghamshire with friends watching football, according to the owners.
Motson, whose death was announced on Thursday, was in the village pub, The George in Little Brickhill, Milton Keynes, watching Manchester City’s 1-1 Champions League draw with RB Leipzig on Wednesday night.
‘Motty’ was a regular at the establishment, having moved to the Buckinghamshire village.
In a long and iconic broadcasting career, Motson, affectionately known as ‘The Voice of Football’, commentated on over 2,000 matches on television and radio, including 29 FA Cup Finals, 10 World Cups and 10 European Championships.
And Simon and Louise Babikian were quick to add to the litany of tributes for the beloved Motson, stating that he had become ‘a friend’ of the couple who run the pub after becoming a regular.
John Motson spent his last night in a local pub watching Manchester City’s 1-1 draw with RB Leipzig.
the George at Little Brickhill paid tribute to Motson following the announcement of his death
“On Wednesday night, the night before he passed away, he went into the pub to watch his football game and sat down with his mates to have a beer and talk to us about the game, as he would most nights.” began Mrs. Blabikan, speaking to the BBC.
“He seemed to really have fun.”
It’s a story that probably won’t surprise soccer fans, who will no doubt fondly remember Motson as a soccer obsessive.
His enthusiasm and deep knowledge of the game, its players and coaches, earned him a place in the hearts of fans for five decades.
Motson’s long career also included two Olympic Games and the memorable 1988 Wimbledon FA Cup final triumph against Liverpool at Wembley as the Crazy Gang beat Culture Club.
Motson hung up his microphone for the BBC at the end of the 2017-18 Premier League season and after their last game, Crystal Palace v West Brom, he was invited onto the pitch.
And Mr. Blabikan goes on to describe Motson’s character as a ‘gentleman’, how he promised to return at the weekend, and talks about his ‘impartial’ love of the game.
A shearling coat and microphone will be placed on John Motson’s former Wembley commentator position in Sunday’s Carabao Cup final.
“He was a true gentleman, a true friend to many people in town,” his partner continued.
“He always had something very diplomatic to say about the game. He was very even-handed and just a true fan of the game and most sports.
‘My memory will be him saying good night, how he would see us at the weekend and could come the next day for the United game. He just loved every team and everyone.
And it wasn’t just with football that Motson’s knowledge proved unrivaled, as Blabikan claimed the 77-year-old was something of a ‘local encyclopedia’.
The death of such a beloved character naturally had a huge impact on his community, and it wasn’t just the homeowners who felt his absence.
Following the announcement of Motson’s death, many in the area gathered at the pub in shock at the tragic news.
The legendary commentator, who became synonymous with English football during his distinguished 50-year career with the BBC, has died aged 77.
But interestingly, Mr Blabikan claimed that many did not recognize the legendary 77-year-old commentator until he spoke, and his ‘iconic voice’ gave him away.
I think this was his special place.
“But what’s kind of funny is that a lot of different people from different generations might not recognize him until he spoke.
“Once he spoke, he had such an iconic voice and he was so pleased to meet people who recognized what he had done for the world of broadcasting.”