Jeff Stelling: Tributes to Sky Sports presenter following his ultimate Soccer Saturday

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

The 68-year-old marked his departure with an emotional farewell – which included the revelation that he had acquired a shock telephone 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 nicely forward of his ultimate Soccer Saturday look.

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

“Someone 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’ve completed’.

“He (Elton) said to me: ‘Every week I watch the show and every week you tell me Watford are losing, and every week you tell me Hartlepool (the team Stelling supports) are losing – so I feel like we are kindred spirits’.”

Following a celebratory montage and spherical of applause on the finish of Sunday’s Soccer Special programme, Stelling joked: “Thanks for the applause. I mean this is tricky because I’ve changed my mind.”

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’s a team game.”

Stelling mentioned his time at Sky had been “absolutely wonderful”.

He added: “It’s been the best job that anybody could possibly wish 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 show by paying tribute to the viewers for their incredible support.

Stelling final month introduced 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 “right time” to maneuver on and provides Sky Sports viewers a break from his “relentless rants, bad gags and over-the-top celebrations of Hartlepool United goals”.

Well-wishers took to social media to pay tribute.

Son Robbie posted: “Well done dad, so proud of you.

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

“As a father and broadcaster, you have taught me so much about football and life.

“You are the perfect there has ever been.”

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

“Thanks for all the fun, excitement, entertainment and incredible professionalism, Jeff – you’ll be greatly missed.”

Former This Morning presenter Eamonn Holmes tweeted: “Jeff Stelling… Do something you love and you will never work a day in your life. You have never worked. You are The Goat. Respect. Enjoy the next chapter.”

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

He added: “Few people should ever be described as ‘total legends’ but Jeff really is one. Every football fan’s best friend.”

FootballJOE posted: “Twenty-five years of some of the best laughs on telly. Thanks for being the voice and face of football on a Saturday.”

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

FC Halifax Town joked: “All the best in your retirement. You’re always welcome to Halifax vs Hartlepool next season, we will try not to call it off twice this time.”

NFL UK mentioned “congrats on an incredible stint”, declaring: “You’ll be missed from our screens.”

On Friday, Prostate Cancer UK thanked Stelling for carrying the charity’s badge for the previous eight seasons.

A spokesperson added: “You have shared our message to millions of football fans, many of whom have been at risk of prostate cancer.”

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

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

In the publish on Thursday, he mentioned: “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 issues I do miss is working with the maestro. There won’t ever be one other. You are ‘Unbelievable Jeff’ – and all the time can be.”

Stelling joined Sky in 1992. He was also the main host for the broadcaster’s live Champions League coverage between 2011 and 2015.

He beforehand introduced plans to depart Soccer Saturday on the finish of the 2021/22 marketing campaign however stayed for one more season.

Gary Hughes, Sky Sports’ director of soccer, beforehand mentioned: “Jeff has been synonymous with Saturday afternoon football for decades, exciting and enthusing football fans everywhere.

“His distinctive broadcasting potential and keenness for the sport has made Soccer Saturday an unmissable fixture for followers and has gained him a mess of awards.

“He will be sorely missed.”