Former Leeds United midfielder Chris Kamara has announced he is set to leave Sky at the end of the season after 24 years. That includes Sky Sports’ flagship show Gillette Soccer Saturday, where he has been a part of the team bringing the nation’s football to TV screens every week.
Kammy sent out a Tweet just before Saturday’s 3pm games kicked off.
“After 24 years at Sky Sports we have announced my departure,” he tweeted. “I have loved every minute & the memories will live with me forever. Working with Jeff & the boys has been Unbelievable! And the special days on Goals on Sunday with Ben Shephard who has become a great pal. I’ve had a blast!”
The 64-year-old has been a key part of Sky Sports’ weekend football coverage, particularly on Soccer Saturday and presenting goals on Sunday alongside Ben Shephard. His comical errors reporting around the grounds have made him a cult hero of long-time Soccer Saturday viewers, with the infamous missed red-card of Anthony Vanden Borre during a clash between Portsmouth and Blackburn often replayed.
Sky Sports offered a tongue-in-cheek response to Kammy’s announcement on the show, putting together a compilation of all of his best ‘worst’ moments.
The former Middlesbrough, Sheffield United and Bradford player has spoken hearwaringly about his slurred speech during the show, which is down to his apraxia of speech."Just wanted to let a few of you know who tweeted me today that I am ok ish," Kamara tweeted in March.
"Alongside my Thyroid problem I have developed Apraxia of Speech & have been working to get my speech back to normal. Some days it can be a little slow and some days it’s normal. Hopefully I can beat this!"
Leeds United’s club Twitter account also responded to the announcement with their well wishes.
Kamara spent one season at Elland Road during the 1990/1991 campaign but remains a firm favourite among the Whites faithful, as he does at the other nine clubs he played for during a 20-year playing career. He led Bradford City to promotion as manager in 1996 during two-and-a-half years there, before a short spell at Stoke and then a move into TV.
