CHRIS KAMARA has put fans in a nostalgic mood after sharing a picture of himself with a host of his former Soccer Saturday pals out for dinner.
The long-running Sky Sports show has undergone a series of major changes in recent years.
Regular studio pundits Charlie Nicholas, Phil Thompson and Matt Le Tissier were all axed as part of a huge shake-up in 2020 – with only Paul Merson and Ally McInally surviving the cull.
Kamara then departed due to health issues in 2022, with the popular analyst battling Apraxia.
Jeff Stelling, 69, also planned to quit at the end of the 2021-22 season, before performing a dramatic U-turn.
But he did call it a day for good last year, bringing an end to over 25 years anchoring the programme.
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The show continues to thrive, with presenter Simon Thomas now joined by pundits including Michael Dawson, Clinton Morrison, Tim Sherwood, Sue Smith and of course, Merse.
But after Kammy’s picture, featuring him with former producer Ian Condron, Stelling, McInally, Tony Cottee and Phil Thompson, let’s explore what the Soccer Saturday stars of yesteryear are now up to.
JEFF STELLING
As popular as ever, Stelling has now dipped his toes into the world of radio.
The veteran broadcaster joined talkSPORT in December and hosts their Breakfast show between 6am and 10am on Monday and Tuesday mornings alongside Ally McCoist.
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Last year, Stelling also reunited with old pal Kammy to appear on the television programme “World’s Most Dangerous Roads”.
The show saw the duo travel to Sri Lanka, where they took on the notorious “Devil’s Staircase”.
CHARLIE NICHOLAS
Despite his Sky axing four years ago, former Arsenal star Nicholas still has an outlet to relay his football views.
The Scot, 62, has a column in the Scottish Daily Express – regularly opining on goings on at Rangers and former club Celtic.
Nicholas also returned to TV screens earlier this year, when he featured in a BBC Scotland documentary alongside Graeme Souness.
The three-part series was titled “Pitch Invasion: How the Scottish and Irish Changed Football”, and also included contributions from the likes of John McGinn, Jonny Evans and David Moyes.
PHIL THOMPSON
Former Liverpool captain Thommo can now be seen giving analysis for Paddy Power.
The 70-year-old offers his views on all the latest football goings on for the bookmaker, and regularly shares clips to his X profile.
Otherwise, Thompson, who also works as an after-dinner speaker, now enjoys having Saturdays off.
He magnanimously told the Off the Ball podcast in 2020: “Every good thing comes to an end, and I’ve just had an absolutely terrific time doing it.”
MATT LE TISSIER
Former Southampton star Le Tissier now regularly shares conspiracy theories on social media.
He has appeared on podcasts with Ben Heath and James English – as well as making more football-related appearances with Simon Jordan and old pal Stelling.
Le Tissier, 55, has also posted promotional material for a CBD product.
Although in February this year, the watchdog Advertising Standards Authority deemed Le Tissier to have broken UK advertising rules by not making clear that he was being paid.
CHRIS KAMARA
Kammy, 66, has done inspiring work raising awareness for people who suffer from Apraxia since leaving Soccer Saturday in 2022.
The condition affects the brain and nervous system and can impact someone’s ability to speak.
Having made great strides since first being diagnosed with the condition, Kamara joined Stelling in Sri Lanka for “World’s Most Dangerous Roads”.
He has also released a new book, entitled “Kammy: My Unbelievable Life”, which came out last November and was awarded an MBE last year.
TONY COTTEE
Former West Ham star Cottee revealed that he’d been axed by Sky Sports following the conclusion of the 2020-21 season.
Fans can still enjoy the 58-year-old’s analysis, with Cottee now a regular on talkSPORT.
The popular pundit can also still be found on screen from time to time.
And last month he joined SunSport’s “The Tap In” alongside Will Pugh and Isabelle Barker to discuss all things West Ham.
RODNEY MARSH
Former England forward Marsh, 79, left Soccer Saturday all the way back in 2005 after he was axed for making an on-air joke about the devastating tsunamis that had just hit Thailand.
Marsh appeared to be snubbed from Kammy’s recent get together, replying to his former colleague’s picture on social media: “I must not be on the mailing list.”
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Stelling once claimed on talkSPORT: “The worst colleague I’ve ever worked on screen with? Rodney Marsh.”
Since leaving UK telly, Marsh has worked on radio show “Grumpy Pundits” on American network SiriusXM.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
