BBC bosses appear to have scored an own goal by dropping the Radio 5 Live classified football results.
The broadcaster said the long-running feature was being axed to shorten Sports Report and add more coverage of the 5.30pm Premier League match.
It added: "We will still offer a comprehensive goal service on the BBC Sport website as well as Final Score on BBC One."
Results from the UK’s major leagues have been read out on Sports Report at 5pm since the early 1950s.
They were presented first by John Webster, then James Alexander Gordon – who famously altered his tone to indicate a home win, an away win or a draw – and finally Charlotte Green, who took over in 2013.
Fans on social media called the decision "ridiculous" and others said they were "raging".
It was greeted with surprise by BBC pundits including Mark Lawrenson and Jen Bartram, and ex-Sports Report host Des Lynam.
The 78-year-old said: "It seems cheap. It has been going for 50 to 60 years. It feels like change for change’s sake. It’s tradition that the older people will miss greatly. It was part of the Saturday routine."
He added: "Some people feel they have to freshen things up – new department heads putting their stamp on things. I remember someone changed the theme tune to Match of the Day.
"They almost burned down Television Centre! They changed their mind on that and hopefully will do so here."
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