JEFF STELLING has announced he’s stepping down as Soccer Saturday host – after a whopping 25 YEARS at the helm.
The 68-year-old’s final broadcast – which will no doubt be watched by thousands of long-time fans of the show – will be on May 28.
Sky SportsJeff Stelling will retire from Soccer Saturday duty at the end of the season[/caption]
BSKYBJeff leaves the Soccer Saturday desk after 25 YEARS of service[/caption]
An emotional Stelling announced his departure live on air and received rapturous applause from the pundits in the studio and the film crew behind the camera.
He said: “I’ve been at Sky for more than 30 years and loved every moment of my time as part of the Soccer Saturday team.
“It is now the right time to move on and give Sky Sports viewers a break from my relentless rants, bad gags and over-the-top celebrations of Hartlepool United goals.
“It’s been a lot of fun – for me at least!”
Footie fans were quick to react to the news of Stelling’s departure.
One tweeted: “Sad to see Jeff Stelling stepping down at Sky Sports.
“An absolute titan. Simply won’t be the same without him.”
Another said: “Gutted Jeff Stelling is leaving Soccer Saturday. He was fantastic in it. End of an era.”
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And another said: “Soccer AM and now Jeff Stelling. Saturdays won’t be the same anymore on Sky.”
Sky Sports Director of Football, Gary Hughes, paid a heartfelt tribute to the outgoing Stelling shortly after his imminent departure was announced.
He said: “After a brilliant 30-plus year career at Sky, including over 25 years as the much-loved host of Soccer Saturday, Jeff Stelling is leaving Sky Sports at the end of the current football season.
“Jeff has been synonymous with Saturday afternoon football for decades, exciting and enthusing football fans everywhere.
“His unique broadcasting ability and passion for the game has made Soccer Saturday an unmissable fixture for fans and has won him a multitude of awards.
“Jeff has been synonymous with Saturday afternoon football for decades.
SKY SPORTSStelling’s over-the-top reactions to his beloved Hartlepool scoring were beloved by Soccer Saturday fans[/caption]
His hijinks and banter also made the showSKY SPORTS
“Exciting and enthusing football fans everywhere.
“His unique broadcasting ability and passion for the game has made Soccer Saturday an unmissable fixture for fans and has won him a multitude of awards.
“He will be sorely missed.
“Sky Sports will give him the great send-off his remarkable and enduring contribution deserves before he leaves us at the end of May to spend more Saturdays with his beloved Hartlepool United.”
Stelling – who is beloved by footy fans for his over-the-top reactions and way with words – joined Sky all the way back in 1992.
The Hartlepool United superfan intended to leave his role after the end of the 2021/22 season but opted to stay on for another season.