REMEMBERING JOHN MOTSON

The former BBC Match of the Day commentator, John Motson, said Cloughie was his most memorable interviewee.  There've been many tributes to 'Motty' following the sad news of his passing (February 2023) at the age of 77.

In a special report to mark 35 years behind the microphone, he told the Daily Mail in October 2006 that the Master Manager had been very kind to him.
 
"The most compelling to interview was Cloughie," said Motson. "I remember the first time I saw him, one of my editors asked if I was okay about the questions. 'Get him to read the telephone directory and people will still listen,' I was told. When Cloughie spoke, you listened."

Clough fans will always remember Motty fondly. The editor of this website, Marcus Alton, said: "Motty's voice will always be associated with football across the generations. He'll be very much missed.

"He was extremely kind behind the scenes too. When I wrote to him for the fund-raising campaign for Nottingham's Clough statue, he donated a signed DVD, which helped to raise money as a prize at our fund-raising dinner."

In a BBC interview Motson recalled of Clough: "You were never quite sure when you went to interview him what to expect. He could berate you one minute and then he could be tremendously kind the next."

Motty described Clough as "a journalist's delight." He continued: "You knew that if you saw Cloughie, whatever attitude he took towards you, you'd get a terrific interview."

Watch Motty's famous interview with Cloughie: