Soccer Saturday
Encyclopedia
Gillette Soccer Saturday is a weekly television programme broadcast on Sky Sports
in the United Kingdom and Ireland during the football season. The programme updates viewers on the progress of association football games in the United Kingdom and Ireland on Saturday afternoons. The current host is Jeff Stelling
. The programme is sponsored by Gillette.
As from the start of the 2010–2011 season, the show became exclusive to Sky Sports News (and Sky Sports News HD), previously simulcasting on Sky Sports 1. It has also been broadcast in high definition on Sky Sports News HD since then.
. Current host Jeff Stelling
joined the programme in 1994 and became its sole presenter a year later. The name of the programme changed to Soccer Saturday in 1998.
Prior to May 2010, portions of the programme were simulcast on Sky Sports 1 as well as Sky Sports News. The portions simulcast were between 12:00–12:30 pm and 3:00 pm–5:15 pm, although this differed depending on the matches being covered on Sky Sports 1. From the start of the 2010-2011 season these simulcasts were dropped and the programme is now exclusive to Sky Sports News.
and lasts for up to six hours. The programme begins with the host and four regular in-studio pundits previewing the weekend's matches, reviewing recent results and debating current issues in football. Viewers are kept updated on the progress of early kick-offs by reporters at the games and by graphics below and to the right of the director's cut. These graphics also includes latest team news and league standings.
From 3 pm–5pm, Soccer Saturday provides running coverage of the 3 pm league matches, none of which are televised in the UK (and only one of which is televised in Ireland). The graphics display a vidiprinter and cycle through current scores in the English and Scottish leagues, with Jeff Stelling providing commentary on the events as they unfold. Significant events at the most high profile games - almost always in the Premier League
and the Old Firm Derby
- are described by the studio panel who each watch a game on a monitor. Other games deemed important are reported on by correspondents at the grounds connected to the studio by a video link, ISDN or telephone.
After the 3 pm games finish, the classified football results are read by Alan Lambourn. The studio pundits discuss the games they have been watching, and post-match interviews with players and managers are shown conducted by that evening's Football First
commentators.
The regular format occasionally changes, for example during international windows when the Premier League does not play, the show is often shortened to 2:30pm-5:30pm.
nights, in which case it is known as Soccer Special. Since 2011, Soccer Special has been hosted by Julian Warren. Between 2008-2011, Ed Chamberlin
presented the programme. He had previously shared presenting the programme with Ian Payne
during the previous season. Soccer Special was hosted by Stelling until he began presenting Monday Night Football
at the start of the 2005/06 season. The midweek Soccer Specials are often simulcast on Sky Sports 1 despite Soccer Saturday now being exclusive to Sky Sports News.
The Soccer Special name is also used when a full afternoon programme of football is played on a day other than Saturday, which usually only occurs on Boxing Day
, the last day of the Championship and the last day of the Premier League season as both are normally played on a Sunday. On these occasions the programme is normally presented by Stelling and follows the normal Soccer Saturday format.
, although it was presented by regular Sky Sports News presenters.
However in August 2010, Sky announced the launch of Sports Sunday, which, which airs Sundays from 13:00-18:00. This programme, similar to the old Sports Saturday format, was initially presented by Ed Chamberlain but since his promotion in early 2011 to additional football presenting duties on Sky Sports, is now presented by other presenters from the Sky Sports News roster. http://www.skysports.com/tv_show/story/0,20144,12975_6286710,00.html
Rodney Marsh
was a regular pundit, known for his outspoken views, until being sacked by Sky Sports in early 2005 after a poor taste joke referencing the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami
. The late George Best
was also a regular until leaving in 2004 to fight alcohol problems.
Sky Sports
Sky Sports is the brand name for a group of sports-oriented television channels operated by the UK and Ireland's main satellite pay-TV company, British Sky Broadcasting. Sky Sports is the dominant subscription television sports brand in the United Kingdom and Ireland...
in the United Kingdom and Ireland during the football season. The programme updates viewers on the progress of association football games in the United Kingdom and Ireland on Saturday afternoons. The current host is Jeff Stelling
Jeff Stelling
Robert Jeffrey "Jeff" Stelling is an English sports journalist and sport television presenter, of Gillette Soccer Saturday for Sky Sports and other programming for the satellite broadcaster. In January 2009 he took over as host of the Channel 4 quiz show Countdown...
. The programme is sponsored by Gillette.
As from the start of the 2010–2011 season, the show became exclusive to Sky Sports News (and Sky Sports News HD), previously simulcasting on Sky Sports 1. It has also been broadcast in high definition on Sky Sports News HD since then.
History
Soccer Saturday grew out of Sports Saturday, which started in 1992 hosted by Paul DempseyPaul Dempsey (presenter)
Paul Andrew Francis Dempsey is a television and radio sports broadcaster and commentator. After 18 years working for Sky he left in 2006 and moved to the Dublin based television company Setanta Sports, where he presents most of the channel's football coverage, including Premier League Live.-Early...
. Current host Jeff Stelling
Jeff Stelling
Robert Jeffrey "Jeff" Stelling is an English sports journalist and sport television presenter, of Gillette Soccer Saturday for Sky Sports and other programming for the satellite broadcaster. In January 2009 he took over as host of the Channel 4 quiz show Countdown...
joined the programme in 1994 and became its sole presenter a year later. The name of the programme changed to Soccer Saturday in 1998.
Prior to May 2010, portions of the programme were simulcast on Sky Sports 1 as well as Sky Sports News. The portions simulcast were between 12:00–12:30 pm and 3:00 pm–5:15 pm, although this differed depending on the matches being covered on Sky Sports 1. From the start of the 2010-2011 season these simulcasts were dropped and the programme is now exclusive to Sky Sports News.
Format
Soccer Saturday is broadcast from 12 pm on Sky Sports NewsSky Sports News
Sky Sports News is a 24-hour sports news channel in the United Kingdom. It is run by BSkyB whose sports channels include Sky Sports 1, 2, 3 and 4, as well as Sky Sports HD1, HD2, HD3 and HD4....
and lasts for up to six hours. The programme begins with the host and four regular in-studio pundits previewing the weekend's matches, reviewing recent results and debating current issues in football. Viewers are kept updated on the progress of early kick-offs by reporters at the games and by graphics below and to the right of the director's cut. These graphics also includes latest team news and league standings.
From 3 pm–5pm, Soccer Saturday provides running coverage of the 3 pm league matches, none of which are televised in the UK (and only one of which is televised in Ireland). The graphics display a vidiprinter and cycle through current scores in the English and Scottish leagues, with Jeff Stelling providing commentary on the events as they unfold. Significant events at the most high profile games - almost always in the Premier League
FA Premier League
The Premier League is an English professional league for association football clubs. At the top of the English football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. Contested by 20 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with The Football League. The Premier...
and the Old Firm Derby
Old Firm
The Old Firm is a common collective name for the association football clubs Celtic and Rangers, both based in Glasgow, Scotland.The origin of the term is unclear. One theory has it that the expression derives from Celtic's first game in 1888, which was played against Rangers. However, author,...
- are described by the studio panel who each watch a game on a monitor. Other games deemed important are reported on by correspondents at the grounds connected to the studio by a video link, ISDN or telephone.
After the 3 pm games finish, the classified football results are read by Alan Lambourn. The studio pundits discuss the games they have been watching, and post-match interviews with players and managers are shown conducted by that evening's Football First
Football First
Football First is an interactive television programme on Sky Sports and since the 2010/11 season on Sky Sports HD and shows extended highlights of every Premier League match played on the day. It regularly airs on Saturdays at 8.25pm, and is currently presented by Sarah-Jane Mee...
commentators.
The regular format occasionally changes, for example during international windows when the Premier League does not play, the show is often shortened to 2:30pm-5:30pm.
Soccer Special
A programme with the same format is also broadcast when there are a number of midweek games, such as on UEFA Champions LeagueUEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
nights, in which case it is known as Soccer Special. Since 2011, Soccer Special has been hosted by Julian Warren. Between 2008-2011, Ed Chamberlin
Ed Chamberlin
Edward Chamberlin is an English sports broadcaster currently working for Sky Sports.-Presenting career:He joined Sky Sports in August 2000 and is considered one of their elite presenters. Ed regularly presents in the summer when Gillette Soccer Saturday is replaced with Sports Saturday...
presented the programme. He had previously shared presenting the programme with Ian Payne
Ian Payne
Ian Payne is a British television broadcaster who has appeared on Radio 5 Live, Sky Sports News and Sky Sports. He is the son of Peter Payne, a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist.-Early career:...
during the previous season. Soccer Special was hosted by Stelling until he began presenting Monday Night Football
Ford Monday Night Football
Ford Monday Night Football is a football programme on Sky Sports which broadcasts live English football generally from the Premier League.-Original run:...
at the start of the 2005/06 season. The midweek Soccer Specials are often simulcast on Sky Sports 1 despite Soccer Saturday now being exclusive to Sky Sports News.
The Soccer Special name is also used when a full afternoon programme of football is played on a day other than Saturday, which usually only occurs on Boxing Day
Boxing Day
Boxing Day is a bank or public holiday that occurs on 26 December, or the first or second weekday after Christmas Day, depending on national or regional laws. It is observed in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and some other Commonwealth nations. In Ireland, it is recognized as...
, the last day of the Championship and the last day of the Premier League season as both are normally played on a Sunday. On these occasions the programme is normally presented by Stelling and follows the normal Soccer Saturday format.
Sports Saturday/Sunday
For a few years during the summer, the show was replaced with Sports Saturday, which is more akin to the show's original format, concentrating on sports other than football due to the absence of competitive football during the summer. This again was presented by Ed Chamberlin. The programme did not return in 2009 or 2010, but was revived in July 2011July 2011
July 2011 was the seventh month of the current year. It began on a Friday and ended after 31 days on a Sunday.- Portal:Current events :This is an archived version of Wikipedia's Current events Portal from July 2011....
, although it was presented by regular Sky Sports News presenters.
However in August 2010, Sky announced the launch of Sports Sunday, which, which airs Sundays from 13:00-18:00. This programme, similar to the old Sports Saturday format, was initially presented by Ed Chamberlain but since his promotion in early 2011 to additional football presenting duties on Sky Sports, is now presented by other presenters from the Sky Sports News roster. http://www.skysports.com/tv_show/story/0,20144,12975_6286710,00.html
Presenters and reporters
- Presenter: Jeff StellingJeff StellingRobert Jeffrey "Jeff" Stelling is an English sports journalist and sport television presenter, of Gillette Soccer Saturday for Sky Sports and other programming for the satellite broadcaster. In January 2009 he took over as host of the Channel 4 quiz show Countdown...
- Studio analysts: Matt Le Tissier, Paul MersonPaul MersonPaul Charles Merson is a retired English football player, and former player-manager of Walsall. His playing career has included spells at Arsenal, Middlesbrough, Aston Villa, Portsmouth and finishing his playing career at Tamworth. He also played for England 21 times...
, Phil ThompsonPhil ThompsonPhilip Bernard Thompson is a retired English footballer, who played as a defender for Liverpool team of the 1970s and 1980s. During this time, he also represented the England national football team on 42 occasions...
, Charlie Nicholas & Alan McInallyAlan McInallyAlan Bruce McInally is a former professional footballer in Scotland, England and Germany. Since retiring from football, he is best known for his work at Sky Sports as a football analyst.-Early life:... - Match reporters: Paul WalshPaul WalshPaul Anthony Walsh is a retired English footballer.Walsh was a diminutive and pacy centre forward who shot to fame in the 1980s during spells with Charlton, Luton, Liverpool and Tottenham.-Charlton Athletic:...
, Alan SmithAlan M. SmithAlan Martin Smith is an English former football striker. He played for Leicester City and Arsenal at professional level, and won thirteen caps for England.-Leicester City:...
, Chris KamaraChris KamaraChris Kamara is a retired English footballer. He ended his playing career in 1995 and last managed a club in 1998. He is now a presenter and football analyst on Sky Sports.-Playing career:...
, Scott MintoScott MintoScott Christopher Minto is an English former footballer who played as a left back in the Football League and the Premier League for Charlton Athletic, Chelsea, West Ham United and Rotherham United, and for Benfica in Portugal...
, Tony CotteeTony CotteeAnthony Richard "Tony" Cottee is a former football player who now works as a television football commentator...
, Gordon McQueenGordon McQueenGordon McQueen is a former Scottish football player, who played as a central defender for Leeds United, Manchester United and Scotland.-Early career:...
, Tony GaleTony GaleAnthony Peter "Tony" Gale is an English former footballer who is now a regular pundit on Soccer Saturday...
, Peter BeagriePeter BeagriePeter Sidney Beagrie is a former English footballer who played as a left-winger. He played for ten different clubs at professional level notably Everton, Manchester City, Bradford City and Scunthorpe United...
, Iain DowieIain DowieIain Dowie is a former footballer and manager. He is currently without a club. He has previously managed Hull City and Queens Park Rangers and was assistant manager of Newcastle United...
, Alan MulleryAlan MulleryAlan Patrick Mullery MBE is a former English football player and manager. After enjoying a successful career with Fulham and in the 1960s and 1970s, he became a manager working with several different clubs. He is now employed as a television pundit...
, John SalakoJohn SalakoJohn Salako is an English former professional football player who played for a variety of clubs and has also represented England at senior level. He was a part of the Crystal Palace team which reached the 1990 FA Cup Final. A severe knee injury sustained against Leeds United in 1991 put him out...
, Dean WindassDean WindassDean Windass is an English footballer, who predominantly played as a striker, and is known for his spells at Bradford City and his hometown team Hull City...
, Rob PalmerRob Palmer (commentator)Rob Palmer is the senior commentator for La Liga on Sky Sports. He has worked for Sky Sports since 1996, originally joining from Granada Television to work as the North West correspondent for the Sports News channel....
, Nigel QuashieNigel QuashieNigel Francis Quashie is a British footballer who has played more than 300 games in the Football League. He plays as a midfielder, and has represented Scotland, the country of his grandfather, at full international level. He was released by Queens Park Rangers in 2010.-Personal life:Quashie was...
, Johnny Phillips, Dickie Davies
Rodney Marsh
Rodney Marsh (footballer)
Rodney William Marsh is an English retired footballer. He was named after HMS Rodney by his father, who served on the battleship. He played for Fulham, Queens Park Rangers, Manchester City, the Tampa Bay Rowdies and the England national team. Lately, he has been a pundit and a commentator on the...
was a regular pundit, known for his outspoken views, until being sacked by Sky Sports in early 2005 after a poor taste joke referencing the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami
2004 Indian Ocean earthquake
The 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake was an undersea megathrust earthquake that occurred at 00:58:53 UTC on Sunday, December 26, 2004, with an epicentre off the west coast of Sumatra, Indonesia. The quake itself is known by the scientific community as the Sumatra-Andaman earthquake...
. The late George Best
George Best
George Best was a professional footballer from Northern Ireland, who played for Manchester United and the Northern Ireland national team. He was a winger whose game combined pace, acceleration, balance, two-footedness, goalscoring and the ability to beat defenders...
was also a regular until leaving in 2004 to fight alcohol problems.
See also
- Final ScoreFinal ScoreFinal Score is a BBC TV programme produced by BBC Sport. The programme is broadcast on late Saturday afternoons in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, usually on BBC ONE. BBC Northern Ireland opts away during the last ten minutes to cover local results, BBC Scotland runs a different programme...
, a similar programme which is broadcast by the BBCBBCThe British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff... - The Goal RushThe Goal RushThe Goal Rush was a live ITV television programme that aired from 2001 to 2003 produced by Granada Television. The programme was broadcast on Saturdays as a rival show to Final Score on BBC One, and provided live football scores from the Premier League and the Football League...
, a football result programme broadcast by ITVITVITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK...
from 2001 to 2003