Jelleyman's Thrown a Wobbly: Saturday Afternoons in Front of the Telly

by Jeff Stelling

Jeff Stelling is a legend among soccer fans. To the millions unable to get to their teams' games on Saturday afternoons, the next best thing is undoubtedly the pleasurable company of Jeff and the Sky Sports videprinter for a cozy marathon on the sofa. If someone's got to reveal that your beloved team have just gone 3–0 down away from home and had a man sent off, it's best if it's consummate professional Jeff who breaks the news to you. Avid Hartlepool fan Jeff knows our pain and shares our joy—but mostly he knows our pain. The long-time host of SkySports' iconic Soccer Saturday show has become a cult figure, universally admired for his encyclopedic knowledge of the game, his genuine and unlimited enthusiasm for all levels of soccer, and his wicked sense of humor which makes the six-hour long show simply whiz by. This deliciously chaotic, hugely entertaining, anecdote-ridden, humorous taste of life in the Soccer Saturday studio reveals what Jeff has to say about some of the show's legendary pundits over the years—ex-players such as George Best, Rodney Marsh, Chris Kamara, Charlie Nicholas, and Matt Le Tissier. Get the inside track on all those great one-liners: "Mansfield Town's Gareth Jellyman has been shown the red card for dissent. Looks like Jellyman's thrown a wobbly." "Darlington's equalizer has been scored by Guyain Ndumbu-Nsungu. Very much a case of local boy makes good." "They'll be dancing in the streets of Total Network Solutions tonight." "James Brown's grabbed a second for Hartlepool. I feel good!" Jellyman's Thrown a Wobbly goes a long way to demonstrate how a six-hour long, studio-based show with no live action pictures and featuring men gazing into TV monitors which the viewer can't see, can hold a huge audience enthralled every Saturday afternoon between August and May.

Genres: Football, Sports, Humor, Nonfiction, Biography, Autobiography, Comedy

305 pages, Hardcover

First published March 2, 2009

About the author

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.

Reviews

[Anubha (BooksFullOfLife, LifeFullOfBooks)]

A mistake, it was definitely not my cup of tea but its partially my fault since I didn't know it was an autobiography or memoir sort of a read.

[Ken · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anyone that watches ‘Soccer Saturday’ will instantly know Stelling’s sense of humour, this book gives a fun insightful behind the scenes look of how the show is put together.

[Leah · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brilliant, brilliant insight not only into what it takes to host Soccer Saturday, but also a great insight into Jeff himself. I loved it all, and it's just as funny as if you're watching Jeff on SS on a Saturday. A worthy read for all Stelling and Soccer Saturday fans.

[Ian · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you love Jeff's personality and the fun of his Saturday show then you'll enjoy this. It's hardly first rate English Literature but who cares eh?! Sport should be fun!

[Neil Wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable look into Jeff and the Soccer Saturday gang.

Love the programme and enjoyed the anecdotes and behind the scenes that the book informs you about.

[Jonny Brick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Behind the scenes at a British TV institution, with a warm tone of voice guiding the reader. Very good on the prep needed for Saturday.

[Ipswichblade · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok book, clearly written a few years ago and some of the views while not horrendous certainly don’t really work today. My fault for leaving it on the kindle shelf for 10 years

[Sophie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't really see how this could get a bad review - unless you've never seen Soccer Saturday (and then I'd probably wonder why you're reading it).

It gives a great insight into the programme and the personalities behind it.

Jeff also talks about his career and it's refreshing to see he seems the same as on screen.

My only criticism would be that parts of the book are a bit samey.

Although the fact files of the various people who've been on the Soccer Saturday panel were a good format and interesting chapters, it felt a bit repetitive and I thought could have been improved by being separated with other chapters.

Overall though, this was a great read. Full of all the quotes and characters watched every Saturday afternoon, this is the ideal book for any Soccer Saturday fan.

4/5.

[Gareth Franklin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so ridiculously easy to read, I don't know why I didn't do so earlier. Filled with anecdotes about the show (and its predecessor), the guest pundits and, of course, Kammy, this book flows even though the chapters appear completely separate. The background section on Jeff Stelling is great reading as well, giving us an insight not just into the sort of preparation he puts in for each edition of Soccer Saturday, but his background as well. The only downside I could see was that there was no mention of the infamous incident with Chris Kamara missing a sending off at Portsmouth, only to admit he thought the player was being subbed! Presumably this was because the incident happened after the release date of my edition, but I'd like to hope that a revised version is either available or in the pipeline with this story included. Unbelievable, Jeff!

[Martin Vickers · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't believe there are no reviews for this fun easy going football read so I feel compelled to address this.

Jeff Stelling is one of the best presenters in the business and the book details the conception of Soccer Saturday, the inner workings of producing and presenting the show and why it became so popular along with a lot of funny stories. Is it only me who thinks it has become the new Grandstand of Saturday afternoon? So good and easy to read that even my Dad loved it.

It is probably a little dated now but if you like Jeff and/or the show this would still be a great holiday read.

[Godzilla · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good insight into the man/legend that is Jeff Stelling, who has accompanied some of my brightest and darkest moments on a Saturday afternoon.

The tales and quips are laid out with aplomb and the book is a real page turner. It's not going to win the Pullitzer prize, as Jeff himself admits, but it does offer a great behind the scenes look at the best thing to hit Saturdays afternoons since Big Daddy.

[Sue Surridge · Rating 2 out of 5]

Although I love Jeff Stelling on Soccer Saturday and admire his quick wit and encyclopaedic knowledge of football I felt this book was a little self-indulgent. 'Spontaneous' quips and references lose a lot of their humour when transferred to the written page.
On another note, this was my first e-read and I found it a pleasant experience and not as alienating as I thought it might be.

[Angelsouth · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of Jeff Stelling and Sky Sports Soccer Saturday. Alright, you probably have to have already been a fan of Soccer Saturday to be interested but this is a fun little behind-the-scenes collection with some great anecdotes and some very interesting stories.

I really enjoyed it.

[Chris Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for any fan of Jeff Stelling and the Soccer Saturday show, filled with loads of interesting stories about his time on the show and lots of funny behind the scene stuff that goes on, as Chris Kamara would say "Unbelieveable Jeff"

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed the book and it would give those who have no knowledge of soccer an insight in tot this very british institution, especially the idea of spending 6 hours on a Saturday watching five grown men discussing football rather than watching a game yourself.

[James Andrews · Rating 3 out of 5]

Captures Stelling's wit without being laugh out loud funny too often. Some good behind the scenes stories and ribbing of the lads from the Soccer Saturday panel, and honest insight into Jeff's career. Variation of the format in some chapters keeps things interesting.

[P.J. Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very simply, if you enjoy Soccer Saturday when the football season is on then you'll definitely enjoy this too. It'll give you a funny and better understanding of exactly what goes on behind the scenes.

[Lee Holland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very funny. Jeff Stelling is brilliant!

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very funny

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this, I couldn't put it down. Plenty of laugh out loud moments. I love spending my saturday afternoons with Jeff and this was nearly as good.

[Stephen · Rating 4 out of 5]

funny humour look at soccer saturday and a brief history of jeff stelling , if a footie fan worth reading

[Phil Hume-Hopper · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book that made me laugh out loud in places.

[Julia · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you love Jeff Stelling and Soccer Saturday you'll love this. I do, and I did.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good read, especially if you're a fan of Soccer Saturday and Jeff Stelling. Plenty of great insights behind the scenes and some great stories about the various panellists over the years.

[Kim · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thought this would be funnier than it was although it was quite informative in some respects. Bit of a disappointment to be honest. 5/10.

[Marcus · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent insight into the Soccer Saturday programme and the original and current panelists...

Very well written and definately worth a read for anyone into their footie :)

[Erica Hudson]

I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/12782968

[Gary K · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for fans of Soccer Saturday

[Denise Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent! I do miss Jeff & the gang. Looking forward to tuning in again in September!

[Peggy Dyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A laugh out loud read.