Now, Soccer Saturday if pitched today would be laughed out of the room. A show where viewers don’t get to see any of the hame themselves but simply the reactions and commentary from the panel. On paper it sounds like it shouldn’t work and in essence is a glorified teletext, for those who even remember what that was!

Soccer Saturday just works and one of the main reasons for its success is its host Jeff Stelling, a fans favourite with a huge knowledge of the game, even if he is a Hartlepool fan, Jeff brings professionalism but also heavy doses of hilarity to the show, the perfect mix. My childhood memories of Soccer Saturday remind me of going to my nan and grandads for those Gillingham away days, walking through the door Soccer Saturday was religiously on the TV (or sometimes cricket) and without fail Jeff would make you laugh no matter what the score was, normally not great being a Gills fan.

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Jeff joined as the host of Sports Saturday back in 1994 before it later become the show we love today Soccer Saturday in 1998. Now however he has announced that after this season he will be moving on and allowing someone new to step into one of the best jobs in football. However, trying to find someone to replace Jeff will be a very difficult task. Jeff has made the show his own for the last 25 years and therefore it is almost as impossible as replacing Alex Ferguson, United fans will be well aware….

Anyway, let’s have a look at the options !!

– Mark Chapman

MOTD2 host and until this year the host of the The NFL Show. Mark Chapman is quite possibly the closest to Jeff in style, a very laid back hosting style with great knowledge and natural comedy, a very solid choice.

– Dan Walker

The safe bet, Mr BBC. Dan would take on the role and be a safe pair of hands. He was the host of football focus for 12 years until this year he handed over the reins to Alex Scott. This could have been with Soccer Saturday in mind or simply a pure coincidence.

– Alex Scott

As mentioned above Alex has recently taken the reins from Dan on Football Focus. Would the dual roles be possible? I’m not too sure and for that reason as much as I think she would be capable and also brilliant, I don’t think she will be Jeff’s replacement.

– Laura Woods

The Golden girl of football. Laura is a popular figure amongst the world of football and rightly so. Extremely articulate and knowledgeable she has effortlessly stepped into the anchor on Talksport breakfast role and would please both the current viewers and bring new fans along with her.

– Julian Warren

Does the supply teacher step up and become the new headmaster? Julian currently covers for any Saturdays that Jeff cannot do as well as covering all of the midweek shows. You would feel that he is the favourite to step into the top role but as with everything else in life the job should be filled by the correct person and not just based on ‘length of service’.

– Kelly Cates

A popular pundit/presenter who often keeps Carragher and Gary Neville in check, Kelly certainly has the humour and personality to step in for Jeff. The one question i have in regards to Kelly is whether she has enough experience being the face of a show?

My Choice: Mark Chapman

I feel that Soccer Saturday needs a safe pair of hands and although Julian is arguably the front runner, I ultimately don’t see him as the ‘face’ of the show. I feel that Mark Chapman has more of a media presence and personality and would also continue the comedy based informative style which Jeff has made look so effortless for all these years.

A tough job for whoever gets given the opportunity but also one of the most exciting roles to be a part of.

We will all miss you Jeff!

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