Latest news with #SoccerSaturday
Daily Record
7 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Jeff Stelling took parting swipe at Rangers with Celtic comment on final Sky Sports show
Jeff Stelling's memorable Celtic dig at Rangers still echoes two years on from his departure as he marks the anniversary of his farewell from Sky Sports. After three decades as a staple of Soccer Saturday, stalwart Stelling hung up his presenting boots exactly two years ago to this day in 2023, signing off in style on May 28 after a 30-year stint with the broadcaster dating back to 1992. The legend bowed out amid applause on that Sunday in 2023, but not before he cheekily tipped his hat to Celtic's supremacy over Rangers in both women's and men's football. On his last outing on Soccer Sunday, Stelling joined pundits Paul Merson, Clinton Morrison, Kris Boyd, and Matt Dawson to wrap up the season's climaxing Premier League drama. While they dissected the Premier League's decisive action, across the border, Celtic Women were busy asserting their might against Rangers Women in the Women's Scottish Cup final, reports the Daily Record. Under Fran Alonso's guidance, they were heading into a comfortable 2-0 victory during the match's dying minutes, prompting Stelling to give a nod to the men's side's recent triumph as well. Before soaking in the studio's adulation and concluding his tenure at Sky Sports with adieus, Stelling couldn't refrain from commenting on the current state of the cup tie and adding his own spin, referencing the Celtic men's team's league success. Drawing his episode on air to a close, Stelling lightheartedly acknowledged the unfolding scenario: "It's the Women's Scottish Cup final as well, and like the Scottish Premiership, to be honest, it's going Celtic's way." Following his confession, Ange Postecoglou's team would go on to lift the Scottish Cup a week later, clinching an unforgettable domestic treble after toppling Inverness. Stelling used the final programme to extend a heartfelt thanks to everyone who supported him through his illustrious broadcasting years as he prepared for his last bow. "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," he began. "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 in 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," he concluded.
Irish Daily Mirror
7 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Jeff Stelling's last swipe at Rangers with Celtic jibe on final Sky Sports show
Jeff Stelling's memorable Celtic dig at Rangers still echoes two years on from his departure as he marks the anniversary of his farewell from Sky Sports. After three decades as a staple of Soccer Saturday, stalwart Stelling hung up his presenting boots exactly two years ago to this day in 2023, signing off in style on May 28 after a 30-year stint with the broadcaster dating back to 1992. The legend bowed out amid applause on that Sunday in 2023, but not before he cheekily tipped his hat to Celtic's supremacy over Rangers in both women's and men's football. On his last outing on Soccer Sunday, Stelling joined pundits Paul Merson, Clinton Morrison, Kris Boyd, and Matt Dawson to wrap up the season's climaxing Premier League drama. While they dissected the Premier League's decisive action, across the border, Celtic Women were busy asserting their might against Rangers Women in the Women's Scottish Cup final, reports the Daily Record. Under Fran Alonso's guidance, they were heading into a comfortable 2-0 victory during the match's dying minutes, prompting Stelling to give a nod to the men's side's recent triumph as well. Before soaking in the studio's adulation and concluding his tenure at Sky Sports with adieus, Stelling couldn't refrain from commenting on the current state of the cup tie and adding his own spin, referencing the Celtic men's team's league success. Drawing his episode on air to a close, Stelling lightheartedly acknowledged the unfolding scenario: "It's the Women's Scottish Cup final as well, and like the Scottish Premiership, to be honest, it's going Celtic's way." Following his confession, Ange Postecoglou's team would go on to lift the Scottish Cup a week later, clinching an unforgettable domestic treble after toppling Inverness. Stelling used the final programme to extend a heartfelt thanks to everyone who supported him through his illustrious broadcasting years as he prepared for his last bow. "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," he began. "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 in 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," he concluded.
Daily Record
7 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Jeff Stelling couldn't resist taking Rangers parting shot with Celtic comment on Sky Sports
It has been two years since the iconic Jeff Stelling bid farewell to Sky Sports, and the former Soccer Saturday host made sure to go out with a parting Celtic quip at the expense of Rangers Jeff Stelling left Sky Sports two years ago to the day, but not without a quick Celtic jibe aimed at Rangers. It has now been 24 months since Sky stalwart Stelling stepped down from Soccer Saturday hosting duties and said his goodbyes, having been part of the broadcaster's furniture since 1992. The Englishman, who had dedicated 30 years of his life to the revered programme, went out on this day in 2023 to a standing ovation, but not before leaving a parting gift for Rangers, as he alluded to Celtic's dominance in both the men's and women's game. Stelling's final show took place on the Sunday, and he, along with colleagues Paul Merson, Clinton Morrison, Kris Boyd, and Matt Dawson, covered the final weekend of that year's Premier League season. Also on that afternoon was the Women's Scottish Cup final, where Celtic Women faced off against their bitter Glaswegian rivals, Rangers Women. Fran Alonso's side took a 2-0 lead into the closing stages, and Stelling couldn't help but allude to Celtic's dominance within the men's game too. Before Stelling could receive a standing ovation from those in the Soccer Sunday studio and bid goodbye, he touched on the cup final scoreline and took a jibe about Celtic's men lifting the Scottish Championship the weekend prior. "It's the Women's Scottish Cup final as well, and like the Scottish Premiership, to be honest, it's going Celtic's way," admitted Stelling as his final appearance drew to a close. After this admission, things would get even better for Ange Postecoglou's men's side, as just a week later, they would win the Scottish Cup themselves, sealing a historic domestic treble with a victory against Inverness. For Stelling, that final programme would mark the end of a storied career, and he made sure to thank all those who helped him over the course of decades as he bowed out. "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," began Stelling. "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 in 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," he concluded.
Daily Mirror
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Jeff Stelling admitted 'low point of my career' involved Chris Kamara correction
Jeff Stelling once had the tables turned on him by Chris Kamara (Image: Getty Images) It's been two years to the day since football fans bid farewell to Sky Sports legend Jeff Stelling. The broadcasting giant, 70, hosted a special edition of Soccer Saturday on the final day of the 2022/23 season before calling it quits after 25 memorable years. The Hartlepool United fanatic first took on the role in 1998. What followed was over two decades of laughs, drama and expert insight, all marshalled in style thanks to Stelling's first-class skills as a presenter. While the peerless Stelling was often the man making the jokes at the expense of his studio pundits, he once confessed that a swift role-reversal was one of the 'lowest points' of his Soccer Saturday tenure. While many of Soccer Saturday's pundits became household names, it's safe to say none drew the limelight, and love from viewers, as much as Chris Kamara did. Often hailed as Stelling's partner in crime, the duo whipped up many iconic moments together over the years. While Kamara had a reputation for making the odd gaffe, he took great pride in getting one over on Stelling back in October 2016, to the presenter's dismay. The now 67-year-old was covering West Ham's home tie with Sunderland when he noticed that his esteemed host had strayed into a rare blunder. "Let's go and find out what's happening at Upton Park. West Ham nil Sunderland nil, does this look like it's going to end in deadlock to you Chris Kamara?," Stelling probed. Chris Kamara and Jeff Stelling worked together for over two decades (Image: DAILY MIRROR) Chris Kamara and Jeff Stelling are known to be good friends on and off the TV (Image: X/@chris_kammy) Kamara quickly replied: "The London Stadium you mean Jeff? Get it right... come on." Stelling, reeling from the realisation that he'd forgotten that the Hammers had actually left Upton Park a few months prior, didn't take the correction particularly well. "That's the low point in my career," he quipped. "Chris Kamara telling me to get it right. Unbelievable Kammy." The pair's on-screen chemistry also helped gift supporters one of UK sports' most comical moments. Football fans will no doubt recall Stelling yelling in typical animated fashion: "There's been a red card at Fratton Park, but for who Chris Kamara?," Famously, this was then met by Kamara, with an oblivious, yet hilarious response of: "I don't know Jeff, has there? I must have missed that." Stelling initially announced he was stepping down at the end of the 2021/22 season, but went back on his decision and opted to stay for one more year. He has since been heard on radio, and was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire in the 2024 New Year Honours for services to sport, broadcasting and charity. Kamara meanwhile stepped down from his role on Soccer Saturday at the end of 2021/22 football season after working on Soccer Saturday for 24 years. Months prior to his exit, he revealed that "live TV might have to take a back seat" as he opened up on his diagnosis with apraxia of speech. At the time, Stelling showed his class by sending a touching tribute to Kamara, saying: 'Kammy you still bring life, energy, fun and understanding to all of your reports on Soccer Saturday. We all love you pal, keep going!" Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Economic Times
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Economic Times
Sky Sports axes 'The Football Show' to attract younger viewers, Jurgen Klopp's favourite show 'Ref Watch' to air in new format
AP Confetti falls as Liverpool's Mohamed Salah, left, and teammates advance on the team bus during the Premier League winners parade in Liverpool, England, Monday, May 26, 2025. (Peter Byrne/PA via AP) Sky Sports' "The Football Show," a long-running program aired every Monday, has been scrapped ahead of next season. The decision has reportedly dismayed staff and comes as Sky aims to attract younger viewers through YouTube influencers and social media personalities. Hosted by Rob Wotton alongside co-hosts Stephen Warnock and Sue Smith, the show dissected Premier League weekend events and featured Dermot Gallagher's "Ref Watch" "Ref Watch", a favourite of former Liverpool manager and regular viewer Jurgen Klopp, will continue in a new format. According to Sky Sports, the changes are intended to make the channel more agile and the new developments will ensure the channel concentrates on breaking news stories, but decision has reportedly left Sky Sports staff "dismayed."Dermot Gallagher hosted "Ref Watch" dissected controversial refereeing decisions from the officials are hoping to attract more YouTube influencers and fans with big social media followings with Sky switching up the way it approaches its is believed the changes will make the channel "more agile and able to concentrate on breaking news stories". Some staff members have been left "bewildered" by the decision making process. This follows a number of chopping and changing in recent already axed a number off fan-favourite presenters on their Soccer Saturday panel show. The channel later gave it a new look. The long-running Soccer AM was scrapped in was recently involved in a row with Nottingham Forest. This occurred after pundit Gary Neville was banned from their final day clash with Chelsea. The ban stemmed from Neville's controversial comments about the club's owner, Evangelos said he was forced to withdraw from the coverage after failing to receive accreditation from Forest. "I've had no choice but to withdraw from the coverage. I've dished out my fair share of criticism and praise in the last 14 years of doing this job and have never come close to this unprecedented action."
