Jeff Stelling's autobiography arrives at the perfect moment, landing just months after his emotional departure from Soccer Saturday, the show he helmed for an extraordinary quarter-century. Like the man himself, this memoir proves both entertaining and endearing, weaving together the personal and professional with the same wit and warmth that made him a national treasure.
The book charts Stelling's remarkable journey from a self-described "chubby kid from a working class family on the Rift House Estate" to becoming the voice of British football weekends. What makes this memoir particularly compelling is how it captures both the evolution of football broadcasting and the unchanging spirit of being a true fan.
Stelling's writing sparkles with the same quick-fire humor that defined his broadcasting style. His recollections of watching Hartlepool United from the rain-soaked terraces of Victoria Park in the 1960s are especially poignant, painting a vivid picture of football before the Premier League's glamour and glitz. These early chapters serve as a reminder that beneath the polished presenter was always an authentic football fan, someone who understood the game's ability to break and mend hearts in equal measure.
The heart of the book lies in Stelling's recollections of Soccer Saturday, a show that transformed from a simple results service into a cultural phenomenon under his stewardship. His chemistry with the regular pundits – particularly his friendship with Chris Kamara – jumps off the page, revealing the genuine camaraderie that made the show such compelling viewing.
What's particularly refreshing is Stelling's honesty about the toll of his career. He recently admitted that the show was affecting his health toward the end, and the book doesn't shy away from discussing the pressures of live television and the sacrifices required to maintain such high standards week after week.
The memoir is at its best when it captures the sheer joy of football fandom. Stelling's infectious enthusiasm for the game – from the Premier League to the lower divisions – reminds us why millions tuned in to watch him every Saturday. His storytelling has the same rhythm as his broadcasting: quick-witted, passionate, and peppered with statistics that somehow never feel dry.
There's a bittersweet quality to the timing of this publication. Stelling has moved on to new ventures at talkSPORT, and football broadcasting continues to evolve. Yet "Saturday Afternoon Fever" serves as more than just a career retrospective – it's a love letter to football itself, written by someone who never lost sight of what makes the game special, even after decades in the industry.
For football fans, this book will feel like settling in for one last afternoon with an old friend, complete with all the stats, stories, and spontaneous outbursts of "Unbelievable, Jeff!" that made Stelling's Soccer Saturday tenure so memorable. For everyone else, it's a masterclass in how passion, perseverance, and a quick wit can turn a childhood dream into an extraordinary career.
"Saturday Afternoon Fever" is exactly what you'd hope for from Stelling: warm, witty, and full of heart. It's not just the story of how a boy from Hartlepool became the voice of football – it's a reminder of why we fell in love with the beautiful game in the first place.
ROYAL MAIL TRACKED 48 [Delivered to You 3rd Week June 2025]
Publisher: HEADLINE
Published: June 5, 2025
Price: £12.99>
ISBN-10: 1472279824
ISBN-13: 978-1472279828
Paperback: 320 pages
Dimensions: 198 x 129 (mm)
