Jeff Stelling exclusive part two: Successors, Sinatra and sage advice

In part two of this exclusive interview with Jeff Stelling, the Gillette Soccer Saturday presenter answers questions about rumours of an impending retirement, his favourite moments from his time on the show as well as offering a whole host of advice for young up-and-coming journalists.

After suggestions of Jeff hanging up the microphone at the end of this season were reported in publications such as the Daily Star and the Independent in the past few months, I asked him whether these had any substance to them.

“You’ll have to ask my bosses about my ‘retirement’.” he quipped. With his sense of humour never wavering, he finished by adding: “I have no plans, though they may have some for me!”.

When the time does eventually come for Stelling to walk away from the show, he has already made his mind up as to who he wants to succeed him - though concedes that he has no say in the matter.

“As far as a replacement goes, look no further than Julian Warren, who does a great job on lots of midweek shows and week-ends when there are no games in the top two divisions.”

I didn’t want to dwell on the horrible prospect of a Soccer Saturday without ‘Unbelievable Jeff’ for a second longer and instead asked him to reminisce about his favourite moments on the show.

“My favourite moment may well have been when Devante Rodney scored twice in the final game of last season for Hartlepool against Doncaster. Swiftly followed by my worst moment, when Newport scored in the 89th minute to send us down. Of course Anthony Van den Borre has to be right up there too. So too does Jelleyman….”

In a career of hilarious on-camera moments, I quizzed him about one of my favourites - the infamous James Brown doll.

“Poor old – well not so old – James Brown was forced into premature retirement. As was the doll.”

I asked him if he had any plans for a sequel, even suggesting one for Jonathan Franks(Sinatra) before swiftly offering to get my own coat, and he replied in typical Stelling fashion.

“I quite like the Franks-Sinattra idea – that might get an outing though I suppose I really should do it My Way.”

When I ask him whether, in a career besotted with highlights, he has any regrets and I think his mind might still be on Jonathan Franks…

“Regrets? I have a few, but then again too few to mention. No I am Edith Piaf – I have no regrets. I have the best job in the world, getting paid to watch football on the telly with my mates.”

Lastly, it would only be fitting as the Sports Gazette is run by student journalists that we get some advice from the master.

“My advice would be don’t give up. We have all had rejections galore. The reward for persistence is a job in the best business in the world. And if a door opens for you make sure you take your chance, even if the opportunity is not necessarily in your favourite sphere. I started by doing snooker, pool, dog racing and sumo wrestling.”

When I ask him if he thinks he is part of a dying breed of specialist journalists in the top jobs in football in an age where more and more retired professionals are entering the media, he acknowledges the challenge.

“The number of ex-sportspeople taking presenting and reporting positions is unquestionably an issue for aspiring broadcasters. Its not just football – its pretty much every sport. I think I am one of a dying breed and was fortunate to get a toe-hold in TV when journalists rather than ex-sportsmen were considered desirable. The ability to ask the right question at the right time is an undervalued ability!”

However, he pointed to some of his colleagues in the media as living proof of the excellent work that can be achieved.

“There are still some non ex professionals who prove it can be done. Ed Chamberlin, now on ITV racing, Jim White, Colin Murray, John Inverdale, Julian Warren and Eddie Hemmings are a few who come to mind.”

“Above all,” Jeff insists, “be prepared. 95 percent of my stats never get used on Soccer Saturday. But that doesn’t stop me preparing in the same way every week for more than 20 years.”

Thanks very much to Jeff for taking the time out to speak to me this week. All of us at the Sports Gazette appreciate his pearls of wisdom and will hopefully go on to emulate the man himself.

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