sport news Veteran John Motson recalls his fondest memories of the FA Cup ahead of ... trends now
John Motson has been there and done it. And probably commentated on it.
The legendary broadcaster, 76, called more than 2,000 games during a stellar career on the microphone, including at 10 World Cups and 10 European Championships.
But it is the FA Cup which is the competition that is perhaps most synonymous with Motson, who worked for the BBC for five decades before retiring from the corporation in 2018.
Motson commentated on new fewer than 29 FA Cup finals but will have a watching brief for Saturday's showpiece at Wembley between Chelsea and Liverpool, the culmination of the 150-year anniversary season of the world's premier cup tournament.
John Motson commentated on nearly 30 FA Cup finals during his career on the microphone
Motson, 76, was at Wembley Stadium earlier this week to mark 150 years of the FA Cup
The veteran broadcaster has seen it all down the years, including a feeling that the FA Cup had lost its magic. Lost its lustre.
'I don't think it has,' Motson says in an interview at Wembley. 'The world will wake up on Saturday morning and lots and lots of people will turn on their television on what is still traditionally cup final day, even if the FA Cup has been overtaken - or crowded out - by a lot of other competitions.
'But it is still the FA Cup final and it is still watched in countries all over the world, who admire the history and the heritage of the FA Cup.'
Motson has his own long history with the competition. The famous tie in 1972 between Hereford United and Newcastle, where Ronnie Radford scored THAT goal in one of the great cup shocks, was the first he had called for the BBC.
Motson called more than 2,000 games during a stellar career on the microphone
The veteran broadcaster will have a watching brief for the final between Chelsea and Liverpool
'All of that helped to put me on the map as a commentator,' he says. 'I feel very privileged to have been involved from that day really, both with the FA Cup and with Wembley.'
The iconic venue will welcome Chelsea and Liverpool on Saturday. Jurgen Klopp's side are aiming for a second trophy of the season and what could form part of an unprecedented quadruple, while Thomas Tuchel's Blues are out for revenge after losing to the same opponents at the same stadium in the Carabao Cup final in February.
Klopp's team have been lauded as one of the best ever and winning the quadruple - albeit an outside chance given Manchester City currently top the table - would certainly cement that belief.
'I don't think if they don't win the FA Cup that changes what a fine side they
