Tony Mowbray pays tribute to 'legend' John Motson following passing

Tony Mowbray has paid tribute to ‘legendary’ football commentator John Motson following his passing.

The iconic BBC commentator died peacefully in his sleep on Wednesday aged 77, and there is no question about the strength of his legacy.

Motson was the voice of English football for generations, and he was also a cultural icon due to footage of him broadcasting diligently amid a snow blizzard while wearing a sheepskin coat.

Mowbray knew him as both a player and a manager, and he says you could not help but feel his infectious pure enthusiasm for football.

"We talk about eras in football, Motty in his sheepskin coat,” Mowbray said.

"I knew John, I remember when I was at Middlesbrough and we were doing some indoor six-a-side competition, and there he was indoors in his sheepskin coat! The lads were having a laugh but he was playing along with it, he was just a normal guy really.

"Like Dickie Davies, he was a face that we all grew up with. John was a legend in football.

"There is so much work that goes into commentary, the hours spent researching... with Motty you could feel his love of the game and I think that's what endeared him to so many.

"First and foremost, they love the game and they are serving the game through their work. You felt the love for the game itself in its voice."

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