Saying goodbye to Football Focus after 52 years

Football Focus aired its final episode after 52 years on television. Long-time pundit Garth Crooks returned to sit alongside Alex Scott to reflect on the show’s history and preview the last day of the Premier League season. Bob Wilson, the first presenter, closed the programme with thanks to viewers and a final message of appreciation. Launched in 1974, the show delivered interviews, analysis, and stories from across football every lunchtime before weekend fixtures. The final broadcast included tributes from former presenters, used old branding as a historical nod, and featured an emotional farewell from Scott emphasizing that football and its stories continue beyond the show.

"For 52 years, this show has done one thing. Week in, week out, it has brought football into your Saturday afternoons. Whether it was Bob Wilson or any of the brilliant people who sat in this chair after him, the thing that never changed was you - the fans. "I won't pretend this isn't hard. What I know is, the football doesn't stop, the stories don't stop. The goals, the drama, the heartbreak, the magic, none of that stops. It just finds a new home. "From everyone who has ever worked on Football Focus, thank you. Thank you for making Saturday lunchtime something to look forward to. It has been an honour.""

"All good things come to an end. Thank you to all of you at home for watching Football Focus for the last 52 years. We have had a ball."

"Launched in 1974, Football Focus provided fans with interviews, analysis and stories from across the game every lunchtime before the weekend's fixtures begin. The longest-running magazine show in the world began with a tribute to the programme, with its former presenters sharing their favourite memories from across the decades. The programme's old branding was used throughout in a nod to its history."

"Crooks ended the show by presenting Scott with a picture of herself and Bob Wilson, on behalf of the "Football Focus family". Before handing over to Wilson, an emotional Scott said: "For 52 years, this show has done one thing. Week in, week out, it has brought football into your Saturday afternoons.""

Read at www.bbc.com