Motty

For millions in Britain, John Motson or 'Motty' is the voice of football. In a career spanning over forty years and 2,000 matches, including commentating on fifty major finals, he has had an unparalleled insight into the ups and downs of the national game. From reporting on the exploits of the giant-killing Hereford team in the 1972 FA Cup that made his name on Match of the Day to the estimated twenty-million viewers who tuned in to his commentary on England's match with Portugal at the 2006 World Cup, Motson's time in the commentary box has delivered some unforgettable anecdotes. In "Motty", he writes about how his father instilled in him an early passion for football, his formative BBC years, the friendly rivalry between him and other talent, and the football legends he has met along the way, such as the icons Alf Ramsey, Brian Clough and Alex Ferguson. He also reflects on darker times such as hooliganism and Hillsborough, where Motson found himself commentating on a tragedy rather than a football match. In dozens of fascinating behind-the-scenes stories, we hear about the greatest players and matches he has been privileged to watch, the many England managers he has worked with, including who he thinks is the most successful, and his take on the huge changes that have transformed football in recent years. From Ronnie Radford to Wayne Rooney, Motty's knowledge and passion for football are unrivalled as he shares his story for the first time and guides us through his career with insight, humour and honesty.

ISBN 1905264682   Pages 416 ISBN13 9781905264681 (What's this?)   Weight (grammes) 786 Publisher Ebury Press   Published in London Imprint Virgin Books   Height (mm) 238 Format Hardback   Width (mm) 155 Publication date 03 Sep 2009   Spine width (mm) 41 DEWEY 796.334092   Academic level General DEWEY edition DC22

Motson has been the finest television football commentator for the best part of 25 years, and perhaps ever The Times 20080518 Football's grand master of the microphone Daily Mail 20061007 Motty's sheepskin coat has become a trademark almost as familiar as Kenneth Wolstenholme's "They think it's all over ... it is now" as Geoff Hurst completed his World Cup Final hat-trick in '66 Harry Harris 20060513 John Motson is the nation's-favourite, statto-mad, sheepskin-wearing voice of football Guardian 20071015 We'd be lost without Motty's unique insights. Martin Kelner Motson has done more to define the images of the famous competition (FA Cup) than anyone in the modern era. Daily Mail 20080406 Motty is a treasure, a gently reassuring presence in our lives Jim White 20080702 Motty, like Pele and Madonna, needs no other form of identification. Alan Fraser The FA Cup final without Motty is almost unthinkable. Because, like the competition itself, Motty is a hopeless romantic. People 20080518 This is a man in love with his calling. Daily Telegraph 20080517

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