Legendary Football Focus presenter blasts the BBC for ditching the enduring present
The ex-Arsenal goalie, who joined the Beeb to present footie for two decades, said it was “crazy” for Aunty to be axing such a loved programme
The BBC has axed the show(Image: Joe Prior/Visionhaus via Getty Images)
Legendary Football Focus presenter Bob Wilson has laid into the BBC for ditching the iconic show after 52 years. The ex-Arsenal goalie, who joined the Beeb to present footie for two decades, said it was “crazy” for Aunty to be axing such a loved programme.
Bob, 84, blasted: “I am really disappointed it has come to this. The BBC has said it will be replaced next season by an interview show about what makes footballers tick.
“That is crazy. People want to be told about the big games of the weekend, the issues, the news of the week, discussion, covering a range of clubs and personalities. Not just one.”
Former Grandstand host Bob, a league and cup double winner with the Gunners on 1971, is the biggest name to take aim at the corporation and admitted he was stunned by the move. He added: “I was absolutely shocked to hear that Football Focus will end this summer.
“It has run successfully for 52 years, so goodness me, why are they getting rid of it? I have always watched the show when possible and loved the fact that it was being enjoyed by the next generation.
“It was a huge part of not only my life but also that of many football supporters. It’s sad news.” Bob, who fronted Football Focus from 1974 to 1994 after hanging up his gloves, also shared some of his memorable moments from his stint at the helm.
He said: “One of them was being on air when a producer spoke in my earpiece saying that Joe Jordan had passed a fitness test that day and asked if I could say that the forward would be coming back. I gestured that I could and made a note on a piece of paper: ‘P***** a late fitness test.’
“So when the chance came to tell the viewers, I mistakenly said, ‘Just before we continue, we have just heard that Joe Jordan has p***** a late fatness test.’ There were hysterics, although I hadn’t realised what I’d said at the time.
“There were other tougher days. I presented Grandstand during the World Snooker Championships when news of the Hillsborough disaster started to unfold. I was told, ‘Be careful what language you use.’
“Only when we were about to go off air could we say that we had heard several people had lost their lives. The full scale of the disaster was not apparent as I left the studio to drive to Lincolnshire that night.
“It will feel different when I next watch Football Focus. It became an institution. And will be missed.”
