Chief executive and deputy chairman Paul Barber has paid tribute to legendary football commentator John Motson, whose death at the age of 77 was announced by his family on Thursday.
Motson covered ten World Cups, ten European Championships and 29 FA Cup finals for the BBC before retiring in 2018.
The previous year he had commentated on Albion’s first goal and first victory in the Premier League when we beat West Bromwich Albion 3-1 at the Amex in September 2017.
Barber said, “Everyone at our club is deeply saddened by news of John Motson’s passing. John was a hugely knowledgeable and popular figure in football, and one of the game’s finest commentators and reporters. Our thoughts and best wishes are with John’s family and friends at this very sad time.
“On a personal level, I knew John for close to 30 years. When I first worked in football John was kind and generous with his time, and I always enjoyed bumping into him at matches up and down the country. It was entirely fitting that John commentated on our first ever goal in the Premier League. John will be very sadly missed by everyone in football.”
Among Motson’s 29 FA Cup final commentaries were Albion’s two games against Manchester United in 1983 when we drew 2-2 at Wembley before losing the replay 4-0. He joined the BBC in 1968 and got his big break four years later when he commented on Hereford United’s famous FA Cup win over Newcastle United.
Motson began working on Match of the Day in 1971 and he also covered more than 200 England games. He did his last commentary for the BBC in 2018. He became an OBE in 2001 for services to sports broadcasting.