JEFF STELLING bid farewell to Soccer Saturday after more than 25 years of service.
The presenter in April revealed he was retiring from his role on the popular football show.
Jeff Stelling bid farewell in his final appearance on Soccer Saturday
Sky Sports paid tribute with some of Stelling’s best moments
Stelling built a reputation for his passionate support of Hartlepool
The presenter had a silly side which viewers adored
Several former colleagues including Chris Kamara paid tribute
Current pundit Paul Merson also shared his love for his pal
And as the Premier League came to a close on the final day, so did Stelling‘s helm on Soccer Saturday.
He revealed how proud he was to work on Soccer Saturday over the years and thanked his former colleagues, as well as the fans for watching over the years.
The legendary presenter also paid tribute to his current colleagues Paul Merson, Clinton Morrison, Kris Boyd and Michael Dawson after they gave him a standing ovation.
Stelling said: “Thanks for the applause. But this is tricky because I’ve changed my mind.
“It’s fantastic to see the people we’ve all worked with over the years. The likes of Alan Mullery and Clive Allen as well as all of the old gang.
“I’ve had some fantastic messages – Gordon Strachan texted me this morning, Neil Warnock, Kammy [Chris Kamara] of course.
“Elton John rang me this week. I was starstruck when Elton John rang me at home to say thank you so much for all you’ve done.
“And he said: ‘Every week you tell me Watford are losing, and every week you tell me Hartlepool are losing so I feel like we’re kindred spirits’.
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“It’s a team game, right from the people in the call centres who take your calls to the runners, the production team, the people behind the cameras.
“Everyone I’ve worked with over the past 30 years I’d like to thank you for that.
“It’s not just on this show, I just want to mention the people on the winning post, the horse racing paper I worked on for many years.
“Times of Our Lives which I adored doing. The live snooker, darts, greyhound racing, pool. It’s been absolutely wonderful. It’s been the best job anyone could wish for.
“The principal success is you lot at home. Soccer Saturday will be back and I’ll be watching – when Hartlepool are not playing.”
Stelling managed to avoid the tears after breaking down during his penultimate appearance on the show last week while discussing the dangers of eating disorders.
The 68-year-old has been a fan favourite thanks to his witty banter and passionate support of Hartlepool United.
But he has also not been afraid to tackle difficult subject matter and has raised a lot of awareness for Prostate Cancer UK.
Sky Sports played a compilation of Stelling’s best moments over the years, from celebrating in a Hartlepool shirt to his iconic rant about the brilliance of Middlesbrough, and of course his famous exchange with Chris Kamara after the reporter missed a red card in a match between Portsmouth and Blackburn.
Many of his current and former colleagues, including Merson and Charlie Nicholas, sent in video messages sharing their love for the presenter.
Sun columnist Piers Morgan also paid tribute saying: “Very few people get to leave a long-running job in TV whilst still at the absolute peak of their powers – but Jeff Stelling just did it.
“Thanks for all the fun, excitement, entertainment & incredible professionalism, Jeff – you’ll be greatly missed. ”
His son Robbie tweeted: “Well done Dad, so proud of you.
“You’ve put your heart and soul into the show and have no doubt left a mark on more than just the world of football.
“As a father and broadcaster, you have taught me so much about football and life. You are the best there has ever been.”