Chris Kamara posts emotional message to Jeff Stelling ahead of Sky Sports legend’s final Soccer Saturday

CHRIS KAMARA has posted a heartwarming tribute to Jeff Stelling ahead of “the best broadcaster” bidding farewell to Soccer Saturday.

The 68-year-old presenter recently announced his retirement from the long-running hit show in an emotional speech on air.

The Hartlepool-mad footy fan has fronted the show since 1998 but last month revealed he would be departing the Sky Sports programme in an emotional on-air speech.

He said: “I’ve been at Sky for more than 30 years and loved every moment of my time as part of the Soccer Saturday team.

“It is now the right time to move on and give Sky Sports viewers a break from my relentless rants, bad gags and over-the-top celebrations of Hartlepool United goals.

“It’s been a lot of fun – for me at least!”

His final broadcast will be on Sunday in a special to cover the last day of the Premier League season.

A host of tributes will undoubtedly flood in over the weekend for Stelling – but the much-loved Kammy has moved to “get his in early”.

Kamara, who was a long-term colleague on the show of Stelling, tweeted: “This Sunday sees the last day at Sky for the best broadcaster I have ever met @JeffStelling.

“I am getting my tribute in early because Jeff has been a massive part of my life and I love him to bits.

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“One of the things I do miss is working with the maestro.”

Kamara, who left Sky Sports a year ago himself before revealing his battle with speech apraxia, then finished off his tweet with a reference to his famous regular live-on-air exchange between him and Stelling.

He added: “There will never be another. You are ‘Unbelievable Jeff’ – and always will be.”