24 March 2023 , 11:43
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Football commentary icon John Motson has been laid to rest in Milton Keynes, with mourners paying tribute to the broadcast legend.
Mourners gathered the city's Crownhill Crematorium, with BBC pundits Martin Keown, Mark Lawrenson and Garth Crooks and Sky Sports veteran commentator Martin Tyler amongst them.
Former footballers Bob Wilson, Sir Trevor Brooking and Mark Bright, all former TV colleagues of Motson's, were also in attendance, as well as ex-Tottenham manager David Pleat and presenters Ray Stubbs, Jim Rosenthal and Angus 'Statto' Loughran.
Floral wreaths depicting the badges of English football clubs were laid at the service.
Motson passed away at the age of 77 on February 23 following a career which saw him widely regarded as the voice of football in Britain.
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Motson's coffin is carried into Crownhill Crematorium in Milton Keynes (PA)He began his commentary career with the BBC in 1971 and worked on a staggering 10 World Cups, 10 European Championships and 29 FA Cup finals
He stepped down in 2017 before briefly returned to radio commentary with talkSPORT in 2018.
News of Motson's death last month was greeted with an outpouring of love and affection for one of the best known characters in British football.
Tributes were paid to Motson at football grounds up and down the country following his death, including at the Carabao Cup final at Wembley (Joe Toth/REX/Shutterstock)Motson was known for his distinctive voice and also his style, which frequently included him wearing a sheepskin coat on the sidelines.
On the first Match of the Day broadcast just days after his death on February 26, Gary Lineker said: "He was a truly wonderful commentator. He was one of a kind, and for people of my generation, he was part of our lives for 50 years."
The former England forward went on to pay tribute to the work that Motson put into his role.
"John always did his research, he was meticulous in his presentation, but his great skill really was getting the big moments right, finding the right words at the right time," he said.
"He lived for football, and we lived football through him. We, and football, will miss him."
Martin Tyler arrives ahead of the funeral service (PA)
Martin Keown was also in attendance (PA)Veteran Sky Sports commentator Tyler also paid tribute to Motson following news of his death, saying: "He was somebody I admired enormously.
"His preparation was second to none, and his attention to detail, and his wish to know everything possible about the game made him an example to me.
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"Before my very first television game in 1974 he sent me a telegram, it said 'Talk little, but say a lot', and I think that summed up John really."
Bob Wilson (left) and Sir Trevor Brooking chat ahead of the service (PA)Motson was remembered in tributes at football stadiums around the country in the weekend following his death, with black armbands worn and minute's silences observed.
Former Liverpool defender and Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher tweeted: "An absolute legend of the game. So many of us grew up listening to this man describe the action and goals on Match of the Day and cup finals. Sad loss."
Mark Lawrenson, Ray Stubbs and Garth Crooks (L-R) were in attendance (PA)The Prince of Wales, who also serves as president of the FA, wrote: "Very sad to hear about the passing of John Motson – a legend whose voice was football. My thoughts are with his family and friends.”
Lineker has only just returned to the BBC's screens after being stood down by the corporation following tweets criticising the government.
The channel were forced to cancel their usual showing of Match of the Day on March 11 after pundits and commentators pulled out in support of Lineker, before the host returned for last weekend's live coverage of the FA Cup quarter-final between Manchester City and Burnley.