He was a kind, loving, modest, generous man with no pretensions. We will miss him so much but he will always be in our hearts." Montford's first audition in Maryhill Burgh Hall was dismal, but he was given another chance at the Theatre Royal and more than passed muster. With his pleasant, distinctive voice a singular asset, he joined Scottish Television in August 1957 as a continuity announcer and sports reporter, where Montford shared the opening night announcing duties with Jimmy Nairn, [4] He was then chosen to present STV's new sports programme, Scotsport (originally Sports Desk), where he remained as anchorman for 32 years. [2] In all, he hosted over 2,000 editions of the programme that made him a household name across Scotland. [2] It was a golden era in Scottish football, and Montford was at the heart of it from the late 1950s through the glory days of the 1960s, the 1970s and all the way through to the late 1980s, always finding something positive to say about the game – even in Argentina in 1978. Hannan, Martin (28 November 2014). "Obituary: Arthur Montford, broadcaster and journalist". The Scotsman . Retrieved 28 November 2014. Tributes have been pouring in after it was announced legendary Scottish sports broadcaster Arthur Montford has died. Montford's last Scotsport programme was live coverage of the 1989 Scottish Cup Final. After retiring from television at the age of 60, Montford left STV and continued to comment on Scottish football, both in the national press and in the matchday programme at Morton, he also concentrated on playing golf at Glasgow Golf Club at Killermont. The Variety Club marked his retirement in 1989 with an all-star dinner. Among the guests were Andy Cameron, Ian St John, and John Henderson, the former headmaster who, in the early 1950s, persuaded Montford to write to the BBC for a radio audition. [10]

a b c d e "STV Scotsport presenter Arthur Montford passes away aged 85". STV News. STV. 26 November 2014 . Retrieved 26 November 2014. He said: “My father told me that no matter how poor the game was, whether you were writing it, describing it on radio, or commentating on it, you must look for something worthwhile to talk about and do not be negative. The tributes added to the many which were paid to the broadcaster by football fans and fellow journalists following news of his death on Wednesday November 26.Montford wrote a column for Scottish golf magazine, Bunkered. His recollections of some of golf's greatest players, moments, and tournaments were popular with the magazine's readers and he was the title's longest-serving regular contributor. Football broadcaster Arthur Montford dies, aged 85". BBC News. BBC. 26 November 2014 . Retrieved 26 November 2014. The word legend is massively overused but Arthur Montford genuinely was. A lovely man & a massive part of my generation's youth. Biography of Arthur Montford". universitystory.gla.ac.uk. University of Glasgow . Retrieved 4 January 2021. Montford was offered his TV presenting job in August 1957 but he needed some convincing to take up the post.

During the 1978 FIFA World Cup, a technical fault with the feed from Argentina prevented ITV from broadcasting Hugh Johns' commentary on the Scotland-Peru game, so Montford's commentary, originally only intended for Scottish viewers, was used on the entire network (the same fault affected the BBC in reverse, with Scottish viewers having to listen to David Coleman instead of Archie MacPherson). In 1974, Montford was elected as Rector of the University of Glasgow, [14] the first sports journalist to receive the honour. He remained in the position until 1977. [2] [15] he was also resident and captain of Glasgow Golf Club for several years [16]Arthur Montford (25 May 1929 – 26 November 2014) [1] was a Scottish Television sports journalist, best known for his 32-year tenure as the presenter of Scottish Television's Scotsport. Although he was most associated with football, he covered a number of other sports for ITV, notably golf. [2] Early life [ edit ]