John Motson Quotes

I might feel a little bit empty, and it might get to me for a short time, but I'm hoping to keep my association with football and with broadcasting - I'm not retiring from everything; I'm retiring from the BBC. I'm certainly not going pipe and slippers.

- John Motson

Its Arsenal 0 - Everton 1, and the longer it stays like that the more you've got to fancy Everton.

- John Motson

The competition to get above the rest and be the lead commentator, or whatever you want to call it, is much fiercer than it was when I was starting out. By the same token, there were not as many jobs going back then, so to get one was an achievement in itself.

- John Motson

It is now a pleasure to go to any of the Premier League grounds. They are so welcoming, not just to me but to all the broadcasters - all media, really, you have to say.

- John Motson

The FA Cup as a tournament was very good to me. I'd like to think I can still have some association with that because it was the Ronnie Radford goal for Hereford against Newcastle which really put me on the map in 1972.

- John Motson

And Seaman, just like a falling oak, manages to change direction.

- John Motson

The goals made such a difference to the way this game went.

- John Motson

It looks like things are changing in north London. Tottenham have gone down a road they've never been down before. They've kept their best players and pushed young English ones through. They've started to match Arsenal - who were light years ahead - by building a new stadium.

- John Motson

Even now, I still get a bit apprehensive before a game because I am worried about whether I have done enough preparation or if something is going to catch me out. But the fear factor has gone - as it should have done by now, really, after nearly 50 years.

- John Motson

The World Cup is a truly International event.

- John Motson

Nearly all the Brazilian supporters are wearing yellow shirts - it's a fabulous kaleidoscope of colour.

- John Motson

I did a bit of boxing when younger. Once I was joined by Muhammad Ali as my co-commentator. I've got a picture of the two of us together ringside at the Albert Hall on my wall at home.

- John Motson

The whole London football scene is now financially more powerful and ambitious than ever before. That reflects the city's economic might and its multiculturalism. Now West Ham have a new , and Spurs and Chelsea will follow. And the London clubs have widened their areas of support.

- John Motson

I'm not a celebrity whose face is recognised everywhere I go, like Gary Lineker, but my voice does make people sit up and pay attention from time to time.

- John Motson

I still use felt tip pens for my notes, on a white board that I carry around with me. I am not into the computer technology - you can say that quite safely.

- John Motson

I've watched us go out on penalties so often. I really thought we'd make it at Euro '96, especially after Gazza's goal against Scotland. I still go to every England game as a spectator.

- John Motson

The match has become quite unpredictable, but it still looks as though Arsenal will win the cup.

- John Motson

My favourite English player of my time was Paul Gascoigne. I interviewed him several times, always entertaining.

- John Motson

I have had a wonderful time. I don't think things could have gone any better for me because I was football-mad as a boy, and to get a job watching the game and going to all the major events I have been to has been very rewarding.

- John Motson

I do remember once going to Salzburg in Austria. Liverpool were playing a European game there, and they put me in a box behind glass. I hate being behind glass; I always want to feel part of the action.

- John Motson

Not the first half you might have expected, even though the score might suggest that it was.

- John Motson

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.'

- John Motson

I think this could be our best victory over Germany since the war.

- John Motson

Brazil - they're so good it's like they are running round the pitch playing with themselves.

- John Motson

There is still nothing on the proverbial scoreboard.

- John Motson

I just thought my 50th year in the BBC is 2018, and it has to end sometime, and I thought that would be a good note to go out.

- John Motson