Simon Thomas speaks on becoming the new Soccer Saturday host | Mike Dean also joins Sky Sports

Simon Thomas speaks on becoming the new Soccer Saturday host and Mike Dean also joins Sky Sports to give insight from match officials.

Simon Thomas replaces Jeff Stelling after he left Soccer Saturday at the end of the 2022/23 season after more than 25 years in the role.

Meanwhile, ex-Premier League referee Mike Dean will also join the team next season; with Soccer Saturday returning on the 5th of August.

Ever since I stepped away from Sky in 2018 to look after Ethan after we lost his Mum; rebuilding my career has not always been easy. But Sky always said the door would be open for me to come back; but this was never the door I expected to open.

— Simon Thomas (@SimonThomasTV) July 16, 2023

This is a huge moment for me and my family and a massive honour to be trusted with such a well loved and respected program. It also feels incredibly special to be fully coming back to the @SkySports family, who all those years ago believed in me after leaving Blue Peter.

— Simon Thomas (@SimonThomasTV) July 16, 2023

I also just want to say thank you to my wonderful wife @DerrinaThomas for always believing in me and my family and friends for always having my back.

See you on August 5th!

— Simon Thomas (@SimonThomasTV) July 16, 2023

SKY SPORTS STATEMENT:

Simon Thomas has been named as the new Soccer Saturday presenter from the start of the 2023/24 season, with former referee Mike Dean also joining the programme.

Thomas replaces Jeff Stelling, who departed the flagship show at the end of the 2022/23 season after more than 25 years at the helm.

The new face of Soccer Saturday has previously presented on Sky Sports News and Sky Sports, having been the lead presenter across live football coverage, including the Premier League and EFL.

Soccer Saturday will also have another new face in former Premier League referee Dean, who will be joining the ranks to offer in-depth analysis and insight on the biggest decisions made across the country.

Dean had a 27-year refereeing career, retiring from on-pitch officiating in 2022, after 22 years as a Premier League referee. He spent last season as a dedicated VAR but stepped down on Saturday.

Soccer Saturday returns to screens when the EFL seasons begins on August 5, broadcasting from a brand new studio. Thomas and Dean will be joined by an array of familiar faces on the panel, including Paul Merson, Clinton Morrison, Michael Dawson, Sue Smith, Kris Boyd and Tim Sherwood. Julian Warren will continue presenting Soccer Special for midweek matches.

Thomas said of his new role: “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.

“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.”

BREAKING! Former Premier League referee Mike Dean joins Gillette Soccer Saturday offering insight from the perspective of the match official. 🚨 pic.twitter.com/vhref8zUiz

— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) July 16, 2023

New Soccer Saturday panellist Dean added: “It feels a bit surreal to be a part of such a well-loved show, but I can’t wait to join the team. 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 Sports’ Director of Football, Gary Hughes, said: “Simon left Sky at the top of his profession as a Premier League presenter, delivering the biggest games to big audiences. It’s brilliant to have someone with his experience and credibility back on the team to take Gillette Soccer Saturday into a new era.

“We’re also delighted to welcome Mike to Sky Sports. He was one of the game’s most well-known and well-liked referees. In his role, he’ll be explaining the big calls and decisions from his unique perspective, providing fans of Gillette Soccer Saturday and our Premier League coverage with greater analysis, insight and understanding.”

Here’s what fans said as Simon Thomas speaks on becoming the new Soccer Saturday host and Mike Dean also joins Sky Sports…

ON SIMON THOMAS:

@lufc_ant: He’s no Jeff but he’s certainly the best choice!!! 👌👏👏

@jaymeeteewhu98: Simon has been through a lot and he’s a great presenter and gonna suit the role perfectly. 👏

@Si_AVFC: Great appointment. He’ll do a cracking job I’m sure. 👏🏼👏🏼 Not so bothered about Mike Dean, he’ll just make it about himself. He can do 1. (Get rid of Clinton Morrison too) 😂

@ianwilks6: Good luck Simon. Tough act to follow, but you got this 👏👏⚽️

@cherriesken: I couldn’t be more happy for him, Simon has been through a lot over the past years, his knowledge and his exuberance will shine through. I wish him well in this chapter of his life. Good luck Simon 😀🍒😀🍒😀🍒😀

@thePatrickNEV: For what he’s been through he deserves this immensely good luck to the lad

@Steveoldham67: What this guy has been through that’s amazing fantastic guy had the pleasure of meeting him once loves his sport and his family

@jon_adaway: Congratulations, @SimonThomasTV, on becoming the new presenter of @SkySoccerSat. It’s a brilliant appointment

@theshrew88: The perfect replacement for Jeff congratulations Simon

@ChivertonLaura: Good luck @SimonThomasTV & I hope you have the backbone like @JeffStelling to use it as a platform to discuss matters that are important to lower league clubs, not just prem & important messages reference health / mental health 💚

@dannydanster17: Fantastic, made up for Simon! Anybody stopped to consider that maybe Julian didn’t want the Saturday job? Maybe his life outside of presenting works quite well with having the Wednesday job. Maybe he turned it down instead of ‘being robbed’ as some people think

@dave_n84: Good choice. Try improve on the rest of the crew now please.

@PhilBygrave1970: Brilliant news, Congratulations Simon. Im sure you will do a great job. I hope to hear plenty of Norwich city mentions 👍👏🤝🤞⚽💚💛

@MichaelShoeBobs: Made up for that lad, he’s been through a lot, good choice for a greats replacement

ON MIKE DEAN:

@MyNameIsWotto: Since we’ve destroyed the original panel and Jeff Stelling has left us, we a hook to get the public watching again… I know what we’ll do! Let’s get Mike Dean in!

@paul_hewton: Out of all the announcements they could have made to keep me watching it, this ain’t one of them.

@Magpie24_7: I was just enjoying him being gone. Why hasn’t the clown joined the circus!? 🤡🎪

@MartialMathers_: One of the worst refs in premier league history. Giving him a platform for him to be in the limelight like he always wanted as a ref.

@_JackLewis: Literally nobody asked for this

@ToonArmy_18_92: It’s the Mike Dean show all over again. He’ll love this, making everything about himself.

@SoonbeXmas: I’m genuinely shocked, Mike never seemed the type to want to be Infront of the cameras…. 😏

@Chris_BoroUTB: He got so many decisions wrong with the benefit of VAR it’s hard to see what insight the man could offer 🤦🏻‍♂️

@DenzelHuck: He’s just been sacked because e can’t do his job and you’ve taken him on

@hammersmikey: That’s another reason not to watch anymore

@RB_London_RB: Jeff has left, all the original members have left, soccer am cancelled… it can’t get any worse next season…. Soccer Saturday, ‘hold my beer….’

@Aashish_Shukla7: Either wire up the refs and let us listen to their decision making live or get them on the mics post games to explain their decisions… Until and unless there’s some accountability… Refereeing wont improve!!

@LiamShepard7: Much better referee than Howard Webb that’s for certain, he made loads of bad decisions against Sunderland who I support for instance he would never ever give them a penalty kick or he would give one against Sunderland. Mike Dean gets my vote all the way

@GazW22: Being paid to state the obvious after its happened with all the camera angles and lines drawn, but will still call it wrong in first instance, another long drawn personality on board

@7Scon: And that is the final straw . I’ll never watch Gillette Soccer again , it’s finally been brought to it’s knees 😥

@AllyMack93: Well as long as he doesn’t wear us out like Peter Walton. Hopefully he can bring some personality to the role

@John_C_Potter: Feel like cancelling my subscription. Awful decision.