Stats way to go Motty! His final words on Pompey's FA Cup victory

"I don't wish to alarm you but the last time that happened," the presenter said of Portsmouth's win, "World War II broke out."

Final bow? Motty (left) with Lawro

Not that the two events were linked. Hitler may well have been a bunker Wolverhampton Wanderers fan but he would surely not have invaded Poland because of a 4-1 defeat at the hands of Pompey in the 1939 Final.

If ever World War III were declared, Rupert Murdoch would no doubt acquire the television rights. On the evidence of Saturday, however, an in-depth look ahead to the main action would be dispensed with in order to focus on league football. Sky Sports had scheduled only an hour by way of preview for the Wembley showpiece. As it transpired, Richard Keys and his guests were restricted to less than 20 minutes as the match between Rochdale and Darlington ran over into extra-time then penalties.

Ah, the romance of the second leg of the League Two Play-Off semi-final. By the time Sky Sports left Spotland, the BBC were beginning their third hour of coverage of the big occasion. That's the sort of build-up the FA Cup Final deserves, indeed demands.

You can even put up with an incomprehensible chat involving Mick Channon, Trevor Brooking and Dave Watson in order to soak in all the nostalgia and traditional paraphernalia. So 2008 will always be known as Harry's Final, reflecting the extraordinary spell Redknapp seems to cast on the media.

I will always remember it as Motty's Final if, indeed, that turns out to have been his 29th and last as a commentator. A time for Kleenex, his sidekick Mark Lawrenson thought. No, Motty insisted, a time for champagne. The cue for bubbles not tears.

Motty, like Pele and Madonna, needs no other form of identification. You will never be able to say that about Martin Tyler, Barry Davies, Jon Champion or the other perfectly professional commentators who have tucked the lip mike under their noses over the years.

"I have had a good run," Motty replied when Lineker brought up the subject with a curious reference to the 'nuances' of TV rights. In other words, ITV have nicked it from the Beeb.

"I enjoyed every single one. Your time comes eventually," Motty added.

There followed the customary Motty mix of well-researched material, obscure statistics and, occasionally, lame attempts at humour. There was something about a 1927 radio commentary by a broadcaster who went on to become Uncle Mac which surely would have bemused all but the viewing octogenarians.

When everyone in the stadium and at home knew Portsmouth had scored, Motty, with one eye on a motionless assistant referee, was unsure. "Is it given?" he asked before recovering with a telling stat. On 21 previous occasions this season that Pompey took the lead, they went on to win. Make that 22.

And when Steve Thompson came on as a substitute for Cardiff City, Motty was in heaven. "He injured himself falling off a banana boat in the United States before the season started."