John Motson to end with West Brom

The BBC announced the Baggies’ match with Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Sunday will be the veteran broadcaster’s last game before he hangs up his microphone after a career spanning more than 50 years.

Motson’s commentary will be heard as part of next Sunday night’s Match of the Day Premier League highlights programme.

The game could yet witness one of the great escapology acts of all time if Albion can come up with a result which keeps them in the top flight against all odds.

The Baggies are hoping for a draw between Swansea and Southampton tonight in order to take their survival fight to the final day.

Motson, one of the best-known voices in football, started out as a sports reporter on Radio 2 in 1968 and has been with Match of the Day since 1971.

From 1979 to 2008 he was the BBC’s main football commentator and covered FA Cup finals, World Cups and European Championships.

He covered his sixth World Cup final in 2006 and an unrivalled 29th FA Cup final in 2008.

He received an OBE for services to sports broadcasting in 2001 and on the night of his final commentary he will also be presented with the Special Award at the Bafta TV awards in London.

His retirement will also be marked by a special night of programming on BBC Two on Saturday, May 19, which will include a documentary, a special edition of Mastermind with Motson setting the questions and a countdown of his most memorable commentaries presented by Match of the Day host Gary Lineker.

Motson said: “I’m truly humbled that the BBC is dedicating such a special evening to me.

“I’ve been very lucky to have witnessed some incredibly special moments in football and I look forward to sitting down with my family, and many football fans in the country, to look back on the past 50 years.”