Well what is it? It is Sky Sports Super Sunday? No. Is it Match of the Day? No. In fact it’s not even a program that shows live football. It’s your weekly helping of Soccer Saturday hosted by Jeff Stelling. And dear sweet lord it is addictive!
If someone said to me back in the early nineties that there should be a Football related TV program that shows 4 men and host watching the day’s football and telling everyone what’s happening I would have laughed in their faces until I puked then told them not to be so ridiculous. But Soccer Saturday has become part of my usual Saturday day time ritual.
It’s a combination of things that keeps the viewer entertained while watching. But by far the biggest reason is the extremely likeable and enthusiastic Sir Jeff of Stelling (he really should change his name to this!). This man is an absolute joy to watch. His obvious love of football shines through and captivates the viewer. With his endless barrage of jokes only a Grandad would tell, to his joy when his beloved Hartlepool United score. More so when one James Brown scores for them and he sings and dances the next 20 seconds to his own version of “I Feel Good”!
His rapport with the studio guests is also a big draw. Unlike other poor impersonations of the show (BBC’s Final Score or whatever it’s dull and mundane name is with the massively patronising Garth Crooks) it’s clear that every guest/analyst/pundit is part of a close knit team. The amount of joking, teasing and mocking that goes on will leave the viewer in hysterics. All you have to do is search for “Phil Thompson, Barnsley” on youtube to see the teams’ reaction to Liverpool conceding in an F.A. Cup tie and the suffering Phil Thompson is subjected to. Sometimes you watch it not for the football but more so for the banter.
It took a while to find the right blend of studio guests. For years we had to put up with the over opinionated and irritating Rodney Marsh. Thankfully for the viewer he got himself sacked for some rather tasteless jokes about the Asian Tsunami. Another poor choice, in my opinion, was George Best. No-one can knock the man’s footballing ability but as a person he wasn’t deserving of the public’s love. Recklessly drinking after a Liver transplant and constantly accused of domestic violence, surely Sky Sports could’ve found a better role model?
I believe the right blend is in place now. With some old veterans such as Alan McInally and the ever excitable Chris Kamara mixed in beautifully with some more recognisable faces like Matt Le Tissier and Paul Merson. As with Sir Jeff, their love of football is what keeps the viewers entertained. It might be a job that pays very well, but they all clearly love it.
So when Saturday comes and you are feeling a little ill, from a few too many the night before, lay your weary head on the couch, turn on Sky Sports and tuck into a hearty helping of Sir Jeff of Stelling.
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