TELLY legend Jeff Stelling has announced he’s leaving Soccer Saturday at the end of the season.
The 66-year-old will call time on his Sky Sports career after a whopping 30 years with the broadcaster.
Stelling made the announcement live on Soccer Saturday – the scores and results show he has fronted since 1994.
Pausing himself before he introduced team news from Newcastle’s clash with Chelsea, Stelling revealed the emotional news.
He said: “I’ll have been at Sky for 30 years next year and hosted Soccer Saturday for the past 25 or so.
“But I’ve come to the incredibly difficult decision that this will be my final season.
“It’s been my decision, there’s been no pressure on me. Sky have been absolutely brilliant with me, as they always have done.
“I’m not intending to retire, that’s up to people out there. But it’s time to let someone else have a go at what is the best job in the world.
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“After all, I wouldn’t want to get to the stage where I’m calling Raith Rovers, Roathe Ravers!
“So I’m going to be here until May, then leaving the show and the company. That’s about seven months of Saturday afternoon parties, so let’s get this party going.”
After making his short statement Stelling tried to get back to business but was interrupted by a standing ovation from the Soccer Saturday pundits.
In a later statement Stelling paid tribute to his colleagues and his beloved Hartlepool United.
He added: “I have loved every moment of my 30 years with Sky, but like every Saturday afternoon the time eventually comes to blow the final whistle.
“I am proud to have been part of such a winning team for so long and look forward to the many more special moments on Soccer Saturday for the rest of this season – and perhaps even another promotion push from Hartlepool United.”
The presenter is a lifelong Hartlepool fan and his allegiance to the National League side has often spilled over into his presenting.
Last season he donned a Hartlepool shirt on the final day of the League Two season.
In a cruel twist his side were relegated after a late Newport County goal ended their run in the Football League.
The TV veteran began presenting Soccer Saturday in 1994 and since then he has embodied the show.
His legendary wit, dramatic delivery and constant composure have made him a cult figure in the eyes of football fans.
‘Unbelievable Jeff’ – a phrase coined by match day reporter Chris Kamara – is now part of pop culture.
The catchphrase has generated numerous memes and is a constant fixture on social media.
Stelling was brought up in a council house in Hartlepool, with his first job at local newspaper The Hartlepool Mail.
His first job in broadcasting was with the now defunct Radio Tees.
Stelling also worked as a sports reader for TV-AM and Eurosport before his legendary association with Sky Sports began in 1992.
At the start of 05/06 Premier League season he became host of Monday Night Football.
Stelling won the Sports Journalist Association’s Sports Presenter of the Year Award between 2005-2009.
He presented popular game show Countdown from 2009-11, but left to focus on his new role at Sky Sports.
That saw him replace Richard Keys as the main presenter of the channel’s live Champions League coverage between 2011-2015.
Away from sports broadcasting Stelling currently hosts ITV game show Alphabetical.
He is also a committed fundraiser for good causes, often spotted wearing a lapel pin to promote Prostate Cancer UK on TV.
The dad-of-three has completed a number of celebrity walks for the charity alongside the likes of Sir Ian Botham.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
