Alan Parry pays tribute to fellow broadcaster and close friend John Motson, who has passed away at the age of 77.
The news that John Motson has passed away hit me like a sledgehammer. Not just because we shared the same profession, not just because we were once colleagues at BBC Sport, not just because we played in the same football team, but because we were great friends for over fifty years.
I first met Motty after replacing him at BBC Radio when he moved to Match of the Day in 1971 and he couldn't have been more helpful in ensuring that I settled in to my new career.
He was an inspiration and taught me the importance of preparing thoroughly for every commentary and for treating people in the game with respect.
We got to know each other well by playing for the Commentators X1, a charity football team that played games all over the country.
On the field he was the opposite of me, Motty a cultured left-winger who steered clear of trouble, me a rough house right-back who loved a sliding tackle and a row with the referee.
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It was in the bar after the game where we really bonded through our love of a beer or three and a good laugh. He was a very sociable guy and in later years we often put the world to rights over a meal and a bottle of wine.
I last saw him in December at our Commentators X1 annual Christmas dinner and he was as chirpy as ever, making the shock news of his death even harder to take.
Before that I had chatted to him when Wycombe figured in the play-off semi-final at MK Dons where he was a regular, being close to where he lived.
He would always be interested in what was going on at Wycombe whenever we met and I'm sure everyone remembers that iconic photo of Motty in his famous sheepskin coat at a snow covered Adams Park.
We have lost a master of his trade, a bon viveur who would be the centre of attention in any room he entered, an amusing and entertaining character.
But most of all I have lost a great friend.
RIP Motty, I'll see you one day in that great bar in the sky and it's your round.