2 weeks Ago By [email protected] (Aaron Morris)
Soccer Saturday has been a go-to show for countless football supporters over the years, but the programme has undergone numerous changes in recent years. The Saturday afternoon slot, helmed by Jeff Stelling for nearly 30 years, drew fans in with a line-up of football gurus delivering live insights, updates and commentary on matches across Britain. Sky Sports regulars like Chris Kamara , Phil Thompson , Matt Le Tissier , Charlie Nicholas and Paul Merson – who is the only one that remains from that crew – gained a fandom for their studio humour, instant reactions and top analysis.
But on the cusp of the 2020/21 season, stalwarts Thompson, Nicholas and Le Tissier were shown the door, as Sky opted to revamp the show's dynamic with a varying team of experts. In 2023, Stelling also decided to bid farewell to his role as frontman, passing the baton to Simon Thomas . Additionally, a fresh segment titled EFL Goal Zone was included in the line-up for the 2024/25 season, moderated by Pien Meulensteen, featuring goals from the 12.
30pm Saturday kick-offs as they happen. But how do the previous pundits feel about all these changes to this day? Here, Mirror Football breaks it down..
. Jeff Stelling Longtime host Stelling confessed that he has stopped watching Soccer Saturday to prevent himself from critiquing the updated format, reports the Daily Record . Sharing his thoughts in his 'Saturday Afternoon Fever' book, he revealed: "I won't lie.
I no longer watch the show that was my life for almost three decades. "Not because I feel any ill-will. Just the opposite.
I have many friends working on the programme and I am desperate for it to succeed. But if I watched, I know that as an opinionated little so-and-so I would sit and criticise which would benefit no one. "Instead, I would rather celebrate nearly thirty years of doing the best job in the world .
I am lucky that so many people believe there is life in this old dog yet and have offered me projects. Not many people are still learning about and enjoying new roles at my age." Matt Le Tissier Le Tissier has had a change of heart regarding Soccer Saturday since his departure from the show in 2020 alongside Thompson and Nicholas.
The 56-year-old ex- Southampton ace told TheSportsDaily.com that he only tunes into the show occasionally, noting a lack of humour and camaraderie among the new pundits compared to his time. He said: "Occasionally, if I'm in I'll watch it.
There doesn't seem to be the same humour, the same level of camaraderie there than there used to be. I think it's difficult because we had a team there that was together for a long time." He added: "Jeff Stelling's left now as well – that's a tough job for Simon Thomas, because Jeff was incredible at that job.
For me the show was built around Jeff. We were there simply as the extras." Phil Thompson Axed from Soccer Saturday alongside Le Tissier and Nicholas, Thompson opened up about missing the show in a candid 2021 interview with the Mail .
He said: "It became a way of life so taking that away...
I miss it. Yes, I miss it. "We were a band of brothers.
But you do know that change has to happen. They wanted to do it sensitively rather than one day you're gone. They said until we find somebody who is better, it might continue.
It was three parts of a midfield. The others could have continued." Thompson also reflected on the connection the pundits had with their audience, adding: "I do think we bridged all the gaps because people grew up with us.
We did it for 16 years. Even though people didn't remember us as players, they knew us as Soccer Saturday. So it was part of their life.
"It even became a cult thing. There was a Jeff Stelling university drinking game! (A shot of spirit every time Stelling said 'doom and gloom' and another when Chris Kamara screamed: 'Unbelievable, Jeff'). "The whole thing was a testimony to Jeff, who was the leader of the band and for me, the best TV sports presenter.
It took on its own life. I think people could relate to us. I'm not saying everybody loved every one of us.
You only had to go on social media to see that. But we knew what we were and that was the biggest thing." Chris Kamara Kamara was left reeling after Sky Sports decided to part ways with Le Tissier, Thompson and Nicholas, telling the Mail in 2020: "Obviously I'm gutted, absolutely gutted.
And I know they are. I've spoken to Thommo and Charlie and I've text Le Tiss..
. we were such a good team and it was all going well. "Decisions were made, we don't have any say in those.
Whoever made [them] has done it and the boys accept it. I can honestly say they are the best fellas you could ever wish to meet. They are top-drawer and it's been a great time to have worked with them over the past 15 years or so.
" However, it wasn't only his colleagues' exits that caused a stir; Kamara himself stepped away from Soccer Saturday in 2022 due to a struggle with apraxia – a condition impacting his speech. Following Stelling's exit in the subsequent year, Kamara took to X to share his sentiments, writing: "This Sunday sees the last day at Sky for the best broadcaster I have ever met @JeffStelling. "I am getting my tribute in early because Jeff has been a massive part of my life and I love him to bits.
One of the things I do miss is working with the maestro." The signature laid back yet passionate approach Kamara brought to commenting on football will be remembered fondly by fans and peers alike. Tony Cottee Tony Cottee has disclosed his disappointment with Sky Sports, noting his departure was not on his own terms after a remarkable 20-year stint with the broadcaster.
While he outlasted the initial departures in 2020, Cottee found himself dismissed the subsequent year and contends the show has lost the unique characters that once made it special. Speaking about his release during an interview on the Under The Cosh podcast, Cottee said: "I had 20 great years there and I look back and I don't like the way it ended. It was their choice more than my choice.
I wanted to carry on being part of the show, obviously Soccer Saturday." He continued: "But I also look back and think I had 20 wonderful years. Some of the characters - Jeff Stelling's an amazing presenter.
Then you think of like the Kammy's and the [Alan] McInally's, and then the lads who were on the panel. Merse, Le Tiss, Charlie, Thommo. Just wonderful characters.
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