Sky Sports affirm Jeff Stelling’s alternative as Soccer Saturday host
The 50-year-old former Blue Peter host has huge expertise of presenting soccer on Sky and can now step as much as lead one of many broadcasters’ flagship sport programmes when it returns to tv screens with the graduation of the brand new EFL marketing campaign on August 5.
It was reported this week that Sky had narrowed down their record of contenders to host Soccer Saturday to Thomas and Caroline Barker, who has lined quite a lot of sports activities each on Sky and the BBC.
But Thomas has now gained the race, returning to Sky for the primary time since 2018, when he stood down from his function to take care of his son Ethan following the loss of life of his spouse Gemma in 2017.
He replaces Stelling, 68, who announced in April that he was stepping down because the host of Soccer Saturday on the finish of the 2022/23 season after greater than 25 years within the job.
“When I left Sky in 2018 for very personal reasons, it was always said the door would be open if I ever wanted to return. I never expected that Gillette Soccer Saturday would be the door that would open,” Thomas stated.
“Being asked to present this iconic show and follow in the footsteps of Jeff Stelling, an absolute giant of sports broadcasting, is a massive honour and one I simply cannot wait to get started on.”
Thomas will probably be joined on Soccer Saturday by fellow new arrival Mike Dean, the previous Premier League refereeing stalwart who will probably be becoming a member of the programme to supply evaluation on officiating selections.
Dean retired from on-field refereeing following the 2021/22 marketing campaign however remained concerned as a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) and in addition coached different officers, earlier than his departure from the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) physique was introduced on Saturday.
“It feels a bit surreal to be a part of such a well-loved show, but I can’t wait to join the team,” Dean stated of becoming a member of the Soccer Saturday lineup. “With all the technology available in today’s game, I think it’s crucial that fans understand why decisions have been made, even if they don’t agree with them!”
Sky additionally confirmed that Soccer Saturday common Paul Merson would stay as a panelist, together with the likes of Clinton Morrison, Michael Dawson, Sue Smith, Kris Boyd and Tim Sherwood. Julian Warren, in the meantime, stays in his function presenting the programme for midweek matches.