Jeff Stelling announced a remarkable turnaround.

In October 2021, Jeff Stelling revealed his decision to step down from presenting football on Saturday after 30 years at Sky.

However, Monday afternoon saw the very good news that he has now decided to stay on as host of Soccer Saturday, at least for the next season (2022/23).

Jeff Stelling announcing its U-turn – March 28, 2022:

“Sky Sports is my home and the Saturday football team is an integral part of my life.

“As the end of the season approached and I was about to say goodbye, I realized that I was not ready to blow the final whistle and quit the best job in the world.

“I’m delighted to be staying and delighted to drive the show forward and create more special Saturday afternoons on Sky Sports.”

In a time of so much stupidity in/on the media, now minus some of the other characters appearing on Sky Sports, good news that one of the good guys has decided to stay.

For Newcastle United fans in particular, it’s a very welcome turnaround, as Jeff Stelling has repeatedly shown himself ready to stand up for NUFC, the city, the people, the region, and call out some quacks.

Here are some classics from the past.

Jeff Stelling via Twitter – 28 December 2021 (after Newcastle United dominated Man Utd and were unlucky to get just one point in a 1-1 draw:

“If Newcastle can replicate that in future games, some pundits will eat their words.

“I think Joelinton, St Maximin, Fraser and Shelvey are exceptional.

“Actually, they all did a job.”

Sean Mcquillan (Manchester United fan):

“They’ve raised their game because it’s us, they’re going down! good walks.

Jeff Stelling:

“Good riddance. Pathetic attitude.

Sean Mcquillan (Manchester United fan):

“BBC is doing better now, change.”

Jeff Stelling:

“So follow their presenters.”

Jeff Stelling taking to Twitter and slaying Mike Ashley, calling on police to enforce the closure of Sports Direct stores and other non-essential stores when Covid restrictions were introduced – 24th March 2020:

“Seriously tried to keep quiet but for Sports Direct to say they are essential and will stay open is a disgrace.

“It contributes to putting us all at risk.

“I suggest the police enforce the closure if every store like this and there should be huge penalties against them for taking the p.ss.

“And you know what Sports Direct and everyone else.

“I am 65 years old. I’m afraid.

“I want to be able to present Soccer Saturday in the future.

“Please stop. Please do as you are asked.

“Just shut down, stay home. Agreed?.”

Jeff Stelling on Sky Sports – 30 September 2018 (Jeff Stelling reacting after Ian Abrahams on Talksports said Newcastle United were only getting 52,000 in games because there was nothing else to do at Newcastle)

“You may also have seen this week that a radio journalist said the only reason Newcastle get 52,000 is because there is nothing else to do in the city. .

“Now this is not a rant but….

“He probably never went to St James Park.

“He probably never had a party at Bigg Market.

“He probably never ate at one of the wonderful restaurants.

“He never appreciated the marvelous architecture of Gray Street.

“He will never have gone to the Royal Theater.

“I’ve never been to the racetrack.

“He will never have walked along the Quayside in the shadow of Tyne Bridge.

“I doubt he ever visited the Baltic Gallery.

“He probably doesn’t know that Greggs opened its very first branch in Newcastle in 1951.

“He never had a Newky Brown.

“And he never ate stottie cake…well, we probably ate stottie cake, a lot of them actually.”

“It’s a wonderful city with loads to do, loads to eat and loads to drink and don’t believe what you hear on the radio.

“Believe me.”