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Jeff Stelling gives a witty yet emotional goodbye speech as Sky Sports look back at his best bits

Jeff Stelling gives a witty yet emotional goodbye speech as Sky Sports look back at his best bits throughout his time on Soccer Saturday.

Jeff Stelling said farewell to the nation’s TV screens following the conclusion of the 2022/23 Premier League season on Sunday evening as part of his final Soccer Saturday show on Sky Sports.

He has worked at the broadcaster for over 30 years but presented his last programme.

He revealed that Elton John had called him personally before holding back the tears as he delivered a monologue to viewers watching at home.

Speaking after being given a standing ovation by his fellow Soccer Special colleagues, Stelling said: “I am not going to show any emotions at all, not at all. Well thank you guys. That was brilliant, thank you very much to whoever made that, it was fantastic and thank you for the applause. I mean this is tricky… because I’ve changed my mind! Just kidding, I haven’t changed my mind this time.

“That was fantastic to see, people who we have all worked with, the likes of Alan Mullery who I haven’t seen for years and Frank McLintock and Clive Allen as well as all of the old gang – that’s some fantastic messages during the last few days from the likes of Gordon Strachan who was texting me this morning.

“Neil Warnock, Richie Humphreys who was a Sheffield Wednesday and Hartlepool legend.. Kammy of course. People from outside of football, Georgie Ainslie, we know her as Georgie Thompson who is Ben Ainslie’s wife. Elton John rang me this week you know.

“Somebody asked me the other day if I have ever been starstruck and yeah, I was starstruck when Elton John rang me at home to say ‘Thank you very much for all you have done. Every week I watch the show and every week you tell me Watford are losing and every week you tell me Hartlepool are losing, so I feel like we’re kindred spirits’.

“There’s something in that isn’t there. The great thing is it’s what people don’t know is that it’s a team game right through to people in call centres who take your calls if something is going wrong, right through to the runners who work on the show, the production team, the people behind the cameras and obviously the people who are here – we have heard from a lot of them Tommo [Phil Thompson] and Charlie [Nicholas], Matt Le Tissier and this gang of four.

“It’s all been absolutely fantastic, everybody I’ve worked with over the past 30 years I would like to say thank you for that. This is a monologue isn’t it… it’s not just this show by the way, I want to mention people on the Winning Post, the horse racing I did for many years as well. Times of Our Lives which was a series I did with Mark Pearman which I absolutely adored doing.

“Live snooker, darts, greyhound racing, pool, the last four my then late great boss Vic Wakeling said to me ‘They’re all working-class sports son, you can do all of them’. It was true, it’s been absolutely wonderful in that respect, it’s been the best job that anybody could have possibly wished for.

“My wife Lizzie takes great pleasure in saying ‘You’re the luckiest man ever to take a breath’, I don’t tell her this often but she’s right. But look, the principal success of Soccer Saturday is you lot at home who have given us unswirling support both for the programme and for me personally so that’s it, Soccer Saturday will be back next season – I’ll be watching when Hartlepool are not playing. But from me, goodbye.”

SEE MORE: Jeff Stelling breaks down in tears on penultimate Soccer Saturday after giving mental health speech

Here’s what viewers had to say as Jeff Stelling gives a witty yet emotional goodbye speech while Sky Sports look back at his best bits…

@geordieLou29: In tears, the nostalgia, Jeff has been apart of my football love since I was a teenager. No one can ever replace him.

@medgewilkins: Absolute Legend, you will be massively missed @JeffStelling – thanks for lighting up our living rooms for so many years 👍👏👏👏

@StuartY19: What an absolute hero, shame he had to put up with rubbish over the last few seasons, much better with the old gang. Watched Soccer Saturday for about 15 years, won’t be the same.

@MJHodgo88: Won’t be the same without you @JeffStelling. A true fan who gets football’s emotion, enjoy whatever comes next 🙌🏼

@Spursmad1990: I have watch @JeffStelling since I was a kid and he has been a constant for my weekends what you do apart from this has been inspiring all the best to you definitely going to be strange watching next season without you hosting

@BH2211FC: I wish you all the best JS! Soccer Saturday will never be the same without you. We will all miss you! Happy retirement. 🧡

@Davie_889: Have a long, happy and healthy retirement. Thanks for all of the memories Jeff 🤩👍

@Jfleuts: Tough act to follow Jeff, well played. Hopefully Hartlepool can give you some joy now

@callum592: Thank you @JeffStelling. it has been absolute privilege to have you watched you host Soccer Saturday over the years. Soccer Saturday will never be the same again. It’s an End of era!!

@Richard25469534: Jeff Stelling what an absolute legend his knowledge from premiership to non league is second to non. But most of all his personality, so full of life. Big boots to fill.

@RevertedWolf: We must perish or evolve, but I can’t imagine seeing #SoccerSaturday without @JeffStelling. The golden staple of football coverage and completely irreplaceable. Huge boots to fill and I’m confident that no feet are quite big enough #FarewellJeff

@igarycochrane: An absolute legend who knew how to have a laugh and connect with his audience too! 👏👏👏

@incemeister: Jeff u have set the bar that nobody and I mean nobody will ever reach, a massive loss to Sky, massive loss to TV and an even bigger loss to us viewers who tune in every week and spend 2 hours with you, good luck with whatever you go on to do @JeffStelling

@RLTaylorCFCGTFC: 30 years Jeff and you SMASHED IT! Thank you for keeping us informed, even if fans was not allowed back in stadiums due to COVID restrictions! Your wit and humour will be missed by us all!! All the best and Happy Retirement! #ByeJeffStelling #JeffStelling #SoccerSaturday

@CTSN1984: This show will never ever be the same again. Irreplaceable JS. Good luck for the future and thanks for the entertainment you will be greatly missed!

@HaydnWilshaw: It won’t be the same next season without you Jeff so thanks for all the laughs, tears, jokes and banter which will never be replicated and never come close to what you have given us over the years, take a bow sir and enjoy your retirement it’s been a pleasure ⚔️⚔️⚔️

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