Sky Sports have reportedly made the decision to cancel British TV and sporting institution Soccer AM after nearly three decades on the air.
The iconic football and comedy talk show which first aired in 1995 and enjoyed huge popularity throughout the 90s and early 2000s is set to end at the end of this season (its 28th) with just 10 episodes left, as per an exclusive report by The Sun.
According to a source who revealed details to the outlet, Soccer AM will be axed at the end of the 2022/23 season due to low ratings and viewing figures, which have both gradually decreased over time — as has the running time, which went from 240 minutes to just 90 in more recent years.
The insider went on to claim that the decision has come as “a complete bombshell” to those involved with the programme, with “morale at an all-time low”.
Staff on the show were reportedly told of the cancellation on Tuesday, with their last episode airing on Saturday, 27 May, the day before the end of the Premier League season, at which point they will be made redundant.
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Issuing a response to the news, a Sky Sports spokesperson said: “Soccer AM has played an important role in our coverage of football for the past three decades, and we continually adapt to the evolving needs of our customers.
“We now go into a period of consultation to discuss the proposed changes with our people. We are unable to provide more detail while these consultations are underway.”
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As for current presenters John Fendley and former footballer Jimmy Bullard, who have been at the helm of the show since 2019, the two are said to have been left “fuming” by the decision. Figures from within Sky and around the footballing world have been paying tribute to the programme.
The show began with Russ Williams and long-time host Helen Chamberlain presenting back in 1995 before the latter was joined by veteran TV personality Tim Lovejoy just a couple of years later, with the two going on to become the most famous pairing in the show’s history.
As well as recurring comedic guest ‘Tubes’ (Peter Dale), some of the most famous guests you can think of made their way through Soccer AM‘s doors down the years, including the likes of Oasis, Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, Kevin Hart, Dave Bautista, umpteenth footballers and countless others — you name ’em.
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However, the show was not without its controversies and reflected a very different time and admittedly outdated part of British culture, to say the least.
Perhaps the most infamous serial segment of the show was its ‘Soccerette’ feature, which saw attractive young women walk into the studio and asked how old they were as men cheered “great age!”
The show obviously had to evolve over time but sadly its viewership continued to dwindle, no matter how much affection there was back in its heyday.
Speaking to Mirror Sport back in May 2022, leading figure Bullard admitted “it’s hard trying to refresh a show every single week with all the new material”, but that he still found it a privilege to be trusted with reinventing a show that is still “the start of a lot of people’s mornings on a Saturday.”
It was certainly far from perfect and pretty problematic at times, but it still played a huge role in the lives of many British people and young football fans’ formative years.
A young lad is walking all the way from Manchester to Ibiza for a truly tear-jerking cause
Danny Jones
We recently came across the story of a young man who has set himself the task of walking all the way from Manchester to Ibiza in an effort to raise money for a truly tear-jerking charitable cause.
In case you haven’t heard of him already, the legend responsible behind this is Henry Oscar Moores, a 21-year-old from Macclesfield in Cheshire who is essentially completing a marathon every single day to complete his voyage from rainy 0161 to sunny Spain.
Nearly halfway into his epic trek already, the youngster has been battling plenty of obstacles, not least heavy rain – and that was just here in Greater Manchester…
Going live each day as thousands of followers tune in to support his latest steps, his real-world journey has sparked a wholesome new community online and we’ve got nothing but the utmost respect.
It’s set to take him around 60 days in total, all being well, but what exactly is Henry Moores doing all this for? Or rather who?
Well, the answer is as heartwarming as it is heartbreaking, as the ‘Henry Walk’ from Manchester to Ibiza is all in aid of the Tony Hudgell Foundation, a charity set up in honour of the now nine-year-old boy of the same name and the youngest ever Pride of Britain winner.
Hudgell was sadly the victim of horrific child abuse ever since he was a toddler, so much so that he had to have both of his legs amputated as a result of the treatment. In 2020, when he was still just five, Tony set out to raise £500 by walking 10k in his prosthetic legs. He ended up amassing £1.8m. Incredible.
With a non-profit officially registered in his name since 2021, the organisation aims to provide support to children affected by physical, emotional or psychological abuse. His story also helped usher in Tony’s Law. Now taking over the reins, Henry is pounding the pavement on his behalf – and smashing it.
He’s even been given an added incentive by Ibiza’s Ocean Beach owner, Wayne Lineker.
Promising to help Henry finish the walk if he makes it all the way to his final 30k leg in Ibiza Town to the famous club – he’s already polished off the 507km from Manchester to Portsmouth and is currently chipping away at the 1818km stint from Caen in France to Denia – Lineker and the likes of radio DJ Charlie Sloth have been backing the effort since day one.
Describing Tony as an inspirational young figure “who captures hearts with his bravery, optimism, and infectious smile”, even despite his daily struggle and constant treatment, we can’t overstate the admiration we have for both of them. He’s already smashed his initial £20k and just keeps going.
“We really appreciate any donations; we know times are tough. Don’t hesitate if you can’t donate; continue to share and support us in any other way. Thanks to everyone for the past couple of weeks; it’s been insane.” You can do your bit by donating HERE or to Tony Hudgell’s operation fund directly.
Featured Images — Henry Moores (via Instagram)/JustGiving
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‘Get off the pitch and shut up’: Jamie Carragher slates Man United trio for behaviour after 4-0 defeat
Danny Jones
Jamie Carragher was left slating André Onana, Mason Mount and Antony dos Santos for their behaviour after the full-time whistle of Manchester United’s 4-0 drubbing at the hands of Crystal Palace, telling them to “just get off the pitch and shut up“.
The Liverpool legend and ex-England international was in the studio for Monday Night Football as per and didn’t hold back on his criticism of United all evening, labelling the game an “embarrassment” and even going so far as to call them “one of the most poorly coached teams in the Premier League”.
However, it was the behaviour of the aforementioned Man United trio that particularly riled him up from a former player and pundit’s perspective, who cameras caught deliberating over something in the game and covering their mouths with their hands to prevent any lip-reading as they walked towards the tunnel.
No nonsense and no holding back.
Interjecting as Sky Sports host noted Antony, Mount and Onana discussing something, Carragher couldn’t help but interject: “Just get off the pitch! Talking and whispering behind your hand? You’ve been awful!
“[Antony’s] probably talking about one of the players, or somebody else, or the set-up or the manager—just shut up and get in. Honestly, it’s embarrassing.”
These three weren’t even the ones to get the biggest stick either, with Carra clearly having it out for Casemiro following his admittedly poor performance, having once again been deployed as a makeshift centre-back due to the club’s ongoing injury crisis.
The 46-year-old added, “I think Casemiro should know tonight that he should only have another three games left at the top level”, going on to advise from one former pro to another ageing one, “Leave the football before the football leaves you”.
Now 32, despite having arrived as somewhat of a crucial saviour figure in the Man United midfielder last season who can still chip in with the occasional goal too – albeit one prone to reckless challenges and the odd injury – it’s fair to say his performances haven’t been great over recent months.
As for his side, they managed yet another unwanted feat under Erik ten Hag after recording 13 losses with Monday night’s result, the most they’ve ever recorded in a Premier League season; the four finishes also saw them reach a total of 81 goals conceded, the largest tally they’ve ever let in.
The result sees the Red Devils sat in 8th just five points ahead of West Ham, who’ve just sacked former United boss David Moyes for the second time, and minus three on goal difference.
Is it time up for the likes of Casemiro and, more importantly, how much of a chance does ten Hag have of keeping his job?