Friday Night Football is here

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.

“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 …

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