Arthur Montford - RIP

[siddiqi_drinker 14,635]

Commentated on enough of our games to get a mention in BD.

ARTHUR Montford, the legendary Scottish sports commentator, as famous for his checkered sports jackets as his classic lines “What a stramash” and “Disaster for Scotland”, has died, aged 85.

Montford spent 32 years as the presenter of Scottish Television’s Scotsport programme where he was best known for his football coverage, although he was also covered a range of other sports, especially golf.

Montford died at home on Tuesday after battling illness over the past couple of years.

Born in Glasgow and raised in Greenock, Montford was a lifelong supporter of his local team Greenock Morton, of which he was honorary vice-president.

He started his career as a print journalist and radio broadcaster before joining Scottish Television in 1957 as a continuity announcer.

But his big break which made him a household name in Scotland came when he was chosen to present Scotsport (originally known as Sports Desk), which became the world’s longest-running sports programme.

He retired in 1989 after presenting more than 2,000 editions of the programme, including 350 commentaries and 38 Old Firm games.

In an interview with The Scotsman’s award winning journalist Aidan Smith last August, Montford recalled that his greatest-ever match was the 1960 European Cup final at Hampden, when Real Madrid beat Eintracht Frankfurt 7-3. STV were told by rivals BBC that there was no room for their cameras in the gantry in Hampden’s South Stand. He said that, undeterred, they set up in the North Stand and ended up winning the local battle for viewers.

Montford also told Smith: “One of my biggest regrets is being on National Service in 1949 and so missing ‘Jimmy’s Wembley’ (twice in a row Morton keeper Jimmy Cowan helped Scotland win there).”

Sports writer Graham Spiers said: “He was a really fine, very Scottish, couthy commentator, whose words chimed with the ordinary Scottish football fan.

“Arthur belonged to the age of innocence in broadcasting, when you had only one or two games a week being televised by the BBC or STV in Scotland. There was nothing like the mass coverage of today. You lived for these TV highlights, and the sometimes high-octane commentaries of Arthur or Archie Macpherson. They were great days.”

Montford, who continued to play golf twice a week into his 80s, was president and captain of Glasgow Golf Club and rector of the University of Glasgow from 1974 to 1977.

Last night Graeme Ross, Morton’s historian, said: “It’s a shock to hear that Arthur has died. His death is particularly poignant because Morton had its inaugural Hall of Fame dinner last weekend.”

Chic Brodie, an SNP MSP who promotes improvements to golf in Scotland, described Montford as “one of the pillars of the Scottish sporting scene”.

“This is terrible news. It’s a sad day for everyone involved in golf and football. I met him on 2 January many years ago when I played junior football for Downfield Juniors in Dundee. He came up to me in his checked jacket and said ours was the only game on in Scotland and he’d be reporting on it. That’s the sort of enthusiasm he had.”

[gmcf 34,090]

Sad to hear.

One of an old breed that kept it simple and left out the politics.

[bluenose1975 1,287]

Rip Arthur

[Guardian 4,281]

What a stramash.

For me, the real voice of football and fashion.

Arthur and Archie are two original pundits/commentators who called it as they saw it.

sadly only Archie remains.

Another bit of my childhood has gone.

RIP Arthur. A true gentleman.

[Dutchy 1,200]

A Morton legend and enemy of every cameraman in Scottish TV with his plaid jackets. Never forget his unique style. RIP.

[gj923 1,457]

Pretty sure this is his voice here for a game with Us v Morton

[Alec87 331]

That Scotsport theme tune will always bring back many childhood memories . RIP Arthur

[DP FC 400]

No false emotions, no over the top shouting, no illiterate side kicks,just commentated from the heart.

Who could forget his emotional in 74 when Scotland beat the Czechs.

Sheer joy in his voice.

From a simpler era, when only football mattered.

[Courtyard Bear 41,357]

Sad news.

Should be held in the same regard as Bill McClaren as one of the iconic voices of Scottish sport.

[Bad Robot 21,139]

RIP Arthur.

[heathen fish boy 8,572]

sad to hear,great presenter,had a true love for the game and by all accounts an absolute gentleman,rip Arthur

[Bears r us 30,771]

Sorry to hear that news.

[Shuggy 1,308]

"Sensational Goal!"

[devref 201]

sad to hear RIP Arthur. a real gent when you met and spoke to him.

[Misteral 2,932]

RIP Arthur.

[1873bear 192]

Pretty sure this is his voice here for a game with Us v Morton

cheers for posting that belter of a goal by Russel, rip Arthur

[legalbeagle 3,734]

Sad news, RIP Arthur, a man from better days.

[Bothwellbear 1,392]

Sad news indeed. The sound of most of our Sunday afternoons. RIP.

[clubdeck 41]

RIP Arthur

[coopsleftboot 5,512]

Sad news, a great football man and a character that fills me with childhood memories.

He had the ability as a commentator to have a drone that could be sending you to sleep, then wake you with an uncharacteristic explosion of excitement! One of a kind.

[cushynumber 25,178]

shame - I just watched the youtube video of Sally Mcnairs first appearance on Scotsport - then highlights of Rangers-St Mirren. It really takes you back - I could watch Davie Cooper all day.

[nachothelegend 1,932]

Great loss to tv.

Sorry to hear this.

[weeto 112]

Very sad news.

I'm a Greenockian originally and I have a soft spot for Morton too as a result and it is sad to see such a well liked person from my hometown who was an avid supporter of my hometown club pass away.

I remember watching him as a kid on Scotsport and he was a wonderful presenter and never seemed to have any bias in his commentary, although he couldn't hide his joy when Scotland were doing well.

[thebluedoo 2,652]

No dithering, no telling you what there gonny do, no telling you how they think or what they had for their breakfast. Just nice and simple, like, Forsyth, Russel, Cooper, Johnstone Goal, a Goal for Rangers (poor impression)

RIP Arthur

[harlands plater 16,958]

No dithering, no telling you what there gonny do, no telling you how they think or what they had for their breakfast. Just nice and simple, like, Forsyth, Russel, Cooper, Johnstone Goal, a Goal for Rangers (poor impression)

RIP Arthur

Arthur commentated for television as if he was commentating for radio, telling you what was in front of his and your eyes.