Latest news with #Stelling
Daily Record
28-05-2025
- 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
28-05-2025
- 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
28-05-2025
- 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
28-05-2025
- 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.
Daily Mirror
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Jeff Stelling's sad reason he quit Soccer Saturday and angry call over sackings
Jeff Stelling explained his reason for leaving Sky Sports' Soccer Saturday at the end of the 2022/23 Premier League season, as well as the anger he felt after hearing his pals were being sacked Jeff Stelling opened up on how he left Sky Sports ' Soccer Saturday due to the toll it was taking on his physical health. The 70-year-old presenter, who enjoyed a quarter of a century hosting the football score updates show, ultimately parted ways with Sky Sports at the end of the 2022/23 Premier League season. While fans across the UK were devastated to hear that he was stepping away from the job he had become synonymous with, the choice wasn't one that Stelling made lightly. Speaking on his reasoning in January last year, the Hartlepool-born presenter told The Guardian: "Even though I'd been there a long time, I felt some of my views weren't considered at all. "Every week I was fighting a battle. I got tired of fighting and it was making me ill. Eventually, I went to Sky's management and said, 'This is making me unwell. I've got to step away from it.'" He added: "I'm almost ashamed to say it because my dad worked in a steelworks and would come back from his shift covered in grime and muck and absolutely exhausted. "He would never have allowed me to say I was shattered after a TV show. But I felt it was making me ill so I had to step away." Stelling's relationship with Sky had deteriorated, however, prior to his exit after he was left fuming at some major changes to Soccer Saturday – primarily those made in 2020 when a number of his close colleagues were let go from the show. Sky chiefs decided that it was time for the likes of Matt Le Tissier, Charlie Nicholas and Phil Thompson to move on, and Stelling was ultimately left heartbroken to hear that he would no longer be working alongside them. In his 'Saturday Afternoon Fever' autobiography, Stelling explained how he was told the news that his colleagues were being let go, while he and Paul Merson were spared. He wrote: "'How can it be the right time?' I blurted out. 'The season gets underway in a couple of weeks and you have sacked three of our team!' "It's like Man City selling [Kevin] De Bruyne, [Ilkay] Gundogan and [Bernardo] Silva two weeks before kick-off, their entire midfield, their engine room. And we have no one to replace them with. "Gary insisted it was the right time and that they had people who could step into the biggest of broadcasting shoes and proceeded to reel off a list of people. After each name I made a quick-fire judgement. 'No good.' 'Terminally dull.' 'Doesn't even like football.' 'Oh, for f*** sake.' That gives you the general tone. "I was devastated, and as Gary listed the names of potential replacements, I knew I had a decision to make too about my future. Matt Roberts, the Soccer Saturday producer, rang. "He had just been told of the bloodletting and was equally shocked. He was the man who had to rebuild the team – and quickly. Even Sir Alex [Ferguson] would have struggled." Following the shake-up, Clinton Morrison, Michael Dawson, Sue Smith, Kris Boyd and Tim Sherwood were among those Sky Sports drafted in to revamp Soccer Saturday – but Stelling had his doubts. The presenter initially shared his desire to walk away in 2022, but agreed to stay on for one more season. Simon Thomas was named as the new host of Soccer Saturday after Stelling's exit, and the Hartlepool United fan has since gone on to work with talkSPORT as a radio host alongside Ally McCoist.
