Friday 17 April 2020 09:29, UK
Jeff Stelling and Rachel Riley discuss their hopes for the launch of Friday Night Football, which begins as Manchester United host Southampton at Old Trafford this week...
"I'm 30 now," says Rachel Riley. It's an innocent enough remark that nevertheless provides the spark for the sort of quick-fire exchange that could soon become a feature of Friday Night Football. "Sorry, did you say you were 30?" chimes in Jeff Stelling.
"I'm 30, yeah."
"I thought you were good with figures?"
"Eh?! What do you mean?"
"Sounds like a bit of creative accounting to me."
"What would you suggest?"
"I wouldn't dare suggest anything."
"That's better."
The pair are good friends, having worked together before on the long-running Channel 4 show Countdown and the chemistry is immediately apparent. "Obviously we're Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan," says Riley.
This season will see the two co-host 10 Premier League games on Friday nights, beginning with Manchester United's clash with Southampton at Old Trafford this week. Friday Night Football is here and it seems we can expect the tone to be a little different.
I can't think of anything better than going to the pub, having a beer and being able to watch live football on a Friday night. I mean, I won't be able to do it unfortunately!
"Sometimes we all get so po-faced about football," says Stelling. "Yeah, you want to talk about the controversy but you also want to talk about things that can bring a smile to people's faces. Hopefully that's what we'll manage to do.
"The thing that appeals most about it to me is that it's just a great way to start the weekend. I can't think of anything better than going to the pub, having a beer and being able to watch live football on a Friday night. I mean, I won't be able to do it unfortunately!
"But the whole feel of the show is going to be slightly different. It's going to be slightly lighter and more humorous, a bit more fun. That's where Rachel comes in." As Riley succinctly puts it: "I'm the yin to Jeff's yang."
Not that avid football fans should fear the change. The action remains paramount. "Sky is the home of football," adds Riley. "So Friday Night Football is a new entity but showing live games with quality pundits and getting the balance right - Sky has been doing that for years."
That means big games covered properly. "At the end of the day," says Stelling, "the game will still be the star of the show and we've got some fantastic games. Manchester United against Southampton gets us underway, then we've got Chelsea versus Liverpool next up."
Stelling insists his co-host had to be "someone who knows their football" but what are Riley's football credentials? "My dad's a United fan and he's been going to watch the Reds since he was nine years old, so I had a United baby grow before I was born," she explains.
"I went to soccer schools at junior school, I played football at Uni and I joined a Sunday team once I finished. I just love it. So I'm coming from a real fans' perspective, through good times and bad. People will say it's mostly good times because I'm a United fan but..."
Stelling soon interjects to point out that he's "lucky because being a Hartlepool fan, nobody in the Premier League cares" but he doesn't anticipate any problems for his co-host either. "Gary Neville is the perfect example," he says.
"When he came in, people thought he'd be so biased. But he won people over within weeks when they realised just how even-handed he is." Riley agrees. "He's definitely someone to emulate," she says, "in terms of coming in, being objective and having respect for all teams.
"If you're associated with one team, there's a lot of banter there and hopefully we'll play on that. I know not everyone is going to be pleased there's a United fan on, but I do just love football. Last season, I had to watch a whole load of other teams to see exciting stuff!"
Excitement should be guaranteed this season, with Pep Guardiola's arrival coinciding with Jose Mourinho's return. "Obviously there's Pep and Jose and their history," says Stelling, "but Antonio Conte is a firecracker and if you don't love Jurgen Klopp, then well..."
Riley adds: "Football just seems to have become more interesting recently. There was Leicester last year but Tottenham were contending, West Ham had an amazing year and Southampton were up there as well. As for the managerial line-up, that's a story in itself.
"It's going to fun because I'd much prefer someone saying something ridiculous. There are just a lot of characters and that's what you want. Football is a soap opera in so many ways. There's going to be more banter, arrogance, headlines and chat."
Riley and Stelling should prove the perfect pairing to oversee it all.
