For many, Soccer AM remains a staple of the footballing weekend. It is a programme that can provide the backdrop to nursing a hangover or precedes a long away trip following your team on a Saturday.
Now in its 27th year, the programme has gone through various changes over the years in terms of personnel and format but at its core it is a programme that tries not to take itself too seriously.
Jimmy Bullard, the former Wigan, Fulham and Hull midfielder, is one half of the current presenting line-up alongside John 'Fenners' Fendley. In his sixth year as co-host, Bullard insists he loves the camaraderie between him and 'Fenners' and the variety of guests they get to meet and that he feels the pair, and countless unseen faces behind the camera, have helped forge a programme that remains a key part of Sky Sports ' football output.
"I was like a rabbit in headlights at the start!" Bullard tells Mirror Football when reflecting on his early days on set.
"Obviously it wasn't my profession but that just goes to show how good Fenners is. He helps me out a lot and I just bounce around him! I would say I'm a bit more off-the-cuff than him. But it works nice and I think the chemistry between us both just works well.
"It's hard trying to refresh a show every single week with all the new material. We also sling in there a bit of comedy and also us being serious doing nice chats so putting it all together is not easy. What you have to remember is that the show is the start of a lot of people's mornings on a Saturday.
"For the show to last more than 25 years is phenomenal really."
A big part of the show's success is the variety of guests they attract. Perhaps surprisingly, Bullard says that he enjoys meeting stars of TV and music more than he does fellow ex-players. "We make suggestions and we have bookers from Sky," he says. "Sometimes it's just a melting pot. But it works.
"I don't think we worry too much about chemistry, I just think we worry more about the quality of what they're going to come in with and talk about it.
"We've obviously met some of the world's best footballers but I love meeting actors and singers when we have them on the show. When these musicians or actors come on and they're at the top of the game. We had Jack Savoretti on the other day, a top class singer. I think it's brilliant that a football show can do that and bring all the genres together.
"I'm so lucky to meet all these different people. When Noel Gallagher came on he oozed class because he'd been there and done it. I wouldn't say I've ever been starstruck but you do perhaps think a bit more about your questions to them and which way you go with it, you know?"
And Bullard's dream guests?
"Zinedine Zidane," he says, without hesitation. "I'd just love to ask him about some of his antics that he got up to out on the pitch - good and bad! I'd love to have five minutes with him. And as for the other I'd have to go for a musician - Phil Collins.
"It'd be different wouldn't it? With those two on!"
* This season Bullard has also been working with Specsavers to help transform Cavaliers FC – the self-proclaimed worst football team in Britain. Having lost every game, Manchester-based Cavaliers FC, who fielded a team with no goalkeeper and only one defender, put a plea for help on social media following an embarrassing 26-0 thrashing. Specsavers stepped in to provide them with eye tests, new kit and help with recruitment of new players. They also brought in Jimmy, who has been taking them under his wing and carrying out training sessions, drills and workshops to help them improve.
Bullard said: “The Cavaliers needed some magic, and the Bulldog has worked just that. A win and a draw following my first session with the team has helped build confidence and really made the side believe they’re capable of staying up. It’s not all been so serious though, we’ve had some fun along the way. Blindfolded penalties, ‘duck walks’ and I even put a dress on at one point. Not sure that’ll help them stay up, but it gave everyone a laugh, so it helped morale I suppose.” For more information, visit Specsavers social channels and Specsavers Best Worst Team YouTube channel to follow the team’s progress. by clicking here.
