HE’S been the face of Saturday afternoon football for more than two decades for non-match going fans but Jeff Stelling has blown the final whistle on his time as host of Soccer Saturday.
The 66-year-old icon revealed his decision before this afternoon’s 3pm games kicked off and said the end of the season would bring to an end his 27-year run in the presenter’s chair.
He told viewers: “This is my decision. There has been no pressure. Sky have been absolutely brilliant with me, as they always have done. I am not intending to retire but it is time to let somebody else have a go at what is the best job in the world.
Stelling was at the helm in the mid 90s when Sky Sports unveiled Sports Saturday which became Soccer Saturday which saw four former footballers talking football for three hours before the viewer was asked to watch them watch a game and describe the action as it happened.
Despite seeing no action from the games – only in recent years have key moments been shown from the EFL – the programme became staple viewing amongst generations of football fans.
Much of the success can be attributed to Stelling’s exuberant presenting and his willingness to pose the questions fans want answers to.
His endless research and ability to fire off statistics at the drop of a hat have endeared him to many as well as his breathless speed through the latest scores as matches reach their conclusion.
Stelling has never been short of an opinion on footballing matters though and was particularly outspoken when Sky Sports sacked pundits Matt Le Tissier, Phil Thompson and Charlie Nicholas last year.
The former darts presenter also fronted Sky’s Champions League coverage between 2011 and 2015 though freely admitted his first love had always been the programme.
