Jeff Stelling: Tributes to Sky Sports presenter following his final Soccer Saturday | UK News

Tributes have poured in for Sky Sports activities presenter Jeff Stelling following his remaining Soccer Saturday present.

The 68-year-old marked his departure with an emotional farewell – which included the revelation that he had obtained a shock cellphone name from Elton John.

Stelling mentioned he was left “starstruck” when the legendary singer – as soon as the proprietor of Watford soccer membership – rang him at dwelling to want him effectively forward of his remaining Soccer Saturday look.

“Elton John rang me this week,” Stelling mentioned.

“Somebody requested me the opposite day if I’ve ever been starstruck, and yeah… I used to be starstruck when Elton John rang me at dwelling to say ‘thanks very a lot for all you could have completed’.

“He (Elton) mentioned to me: ‘Each week I watch the present and each week you inform me Watford are dropping, and each week you inform me Hartlepool (the staff Stelling helps) are dropping – so I really feel like we’re kindred spirits’.”

Following a celebratory montage and spherical of applause on the finish of Sunday’s Soccer Particular programme, Stelling joked: “Thanks for the applause. I imply that is difficult as a result of I’ve modified my thoughts.”

Stelling paid tribute to all those that work on the present, together with the decision centre employees, runners, manufacturing crew and commentators.

He mentioned: “It is a staff sport.”

Stelling mentioned his time at Sky had been “completely great”.

He added: “It has been one of the best job that anyone might presumably want for.

“My spouse Lizzie takes nice pleasure in saying ‘you are the luckiest man ever to take a breath’. And what, I do not inform her this usually however she’s proper.”

Stelling ended the present by paying tribute to the viewers for his or her unbelievable help.

Stelling last month announced his intention to step down after greater than 30 years at Sky and 25 years on the helm of the flagship soccer outcomes present.

He mentioned it was the “proper time” to maneuver on and provides Sky Sports activities viewers a break from his “relentless rants, dangerous gags and over-the-top celebrations of Hartlepool United targets”.

Effectively-wishers took to social media to pay tribute.

Son Robbie posted: “Effectively completed dad, so pleased with you.

“You have put your coronary heart and soul into the present and have little doubt left a mark on extra than simply the world of soccer.

“As a father and broadcaster, you could have taught me a lot about soccer and life.

“You’re the greatest there has ever been.”

Piers Morgan tweeted: “Only a few folks get to go away a long-running job in TV while nonetheless on the absolute peak of their powers – however Jeff Stelling simply did it.

“Thanks for all of the enjoyable, pleasure, leisure and unbelievable professionalism, Jeff – you may be vastly missed.”

Former This Morning presenter Eamonn Holmes tweeted: “Jeff Stelling… Do one thing you like and you’ll by no means work a day in your life. You’ve by no means labored. You might be The Goat. Respect. Benefit from the subsequent chapter.”

LBC presenter Iain Dale thanked Stelling for “hours and hours of large sports activities broadcasting”.

He added: “Few folks ought to ever be described as ‘whole legends’ however Jeff actually is one. Each soccer fan’s greatest buddy.”

FootballJOE posted: “Twenty-five years of among the greatest laughs on telly. Thanks for being the voice and face of soccer on a Saturday.”

Hartlepool United wished fan Stelling “all one of the best”, including: “Our native hero.”

FC Halifax City joked: “All one of the best in your retirement. You are at all times welcome to Halifax vs Hartlepool subsequent season, we are going to attempt to not name it off twice this time.”

NFL UK mentioned “congrats on an unbelievable stint”, declaring: “You will be missed from our screens.”

On Friday, Prostate Most cancers UK thanked Stelling for sporting the charity’s badge for the previous eight seasons.

A spokesperson added: “You’ve shared our message to tens of millions of soccer followers, a lot of whom have been liable to prostate most cancers.”

Stelling’s charity soccer march for Prostate Most cancers UK will happen this September.

TV presenter Chris Kamara additionally posted an early tribute, describing Stelling because the “greatest broadcaster” he has ever met.

Within the put up on Thursday, he mentioned: “I get my tribute in early as a result of Jeff has been an enormous a part of my life and I like him to bits.

“One of many issues I do miss is working with the maestro. There’ll by no means be one other. You might be ‘Unbelievable Jeff’ – and at all times shall be.”

Stelling joined Sky in 1992. He was additionally the primary host for the broadcaster’s stay Champions League protection between 2011 and 2015.

He previously announced plans to leave Soccer Saturday on the finish of the 2021/22 marketing campaign however stayed for another season.

Gary Hughes, Sky Sports activities’ director of soccer, beforehand mentioned: “Jeff has been synonymous with Saturday afternoon soccer for many years, thrilling and enthusing soccer followers in all places.

“His distinctive broadcasting skill and fervour for the sport has made Soccer Saturday an unmissable fixture for followers and has gained him a large number of awards.

“He shall be sorely missed.”